Psalm-74
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Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to
‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you,
NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to Psalm
74:
Psalm 74 is a national lament, traditionally associated with the Asaphic guild. It reflects a moment of profound devastation most likely the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians. The Psalmist cries out to יְהוָה - Elohim (God), asking why He appears silent while enemies desecrate the sanctuary and oppress His people. The Psalm blends ‘grief’, ‘theological struggle’, ‘historical memory’, and ‘bold petition’. It is a model of faithful lament: even in catastrophe, the Psalmist appeals to יְהוָה - Elohim’s covenant and past acts of salvation.
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Let us read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 74: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. Maschil of Asaph. Why, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, hast Thou
cast us off for ever? Why doth Thine anger smoke
against the flock of Thy pasture?
2. Remember Thy congregation, which Thou hast gotten
of old, which Thou hast redeemed to be the tribe of Thine
inheritance;
and mount Zion, wherein Thou hast dwelt.
3. Lift up Thy steps because of the perpetual ruins,
even all the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary.
4. Thine adversaries have
roared in the midst of Thy meeting-place; they have set up their own signs for
signs.
5. It seemed as when men wield upwards axes in a
thicket of trees.
6. And now all the carved work thereof together they
strike down with hatchet and hammers.
7. They have set Thy sanctuary on fire; they have
profaned the dwelling-place of Thy Name even to the ground.
8. They said in their heart: 'Let us make havoc of them
altogether'; they have burned up all the meeting-places of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim in the land.
9. We see not our signs; there is no more any
prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth
how long.
10. How long, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, shall the
adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme Thy Name forever?
11. Why withdrawest Thou
Thy hand, even Thy right hand? Draw it out of Thy bosom and consume them.
12. Yet אֱלֹהִים is my King of old, working salvation in
the midst of the earth.
13. Thou didst break the sea in pieces by Thy
strength; Thou didst shatter the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters.
14. Thou didst crush the heads of leviathan, Thou gavest him to be food to the folk inhabiting the
wilderness.
15. Thou didst cleave fountain and brook; Thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers.
16. Thine is the day, Thine also the night; Thou hast established luminary and
sun.
17. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth; Thou
hast made summer and winter.
18. Remember this, how the enemy hath reproached יְהוָה - the LORD, and how a
base people have blasphemed Thy Name.
19. O deliver not the soul
of Thy turtle-dove unto the wild beast; forget not the life of Thy poor for
ever.
20. Look upon the covenant; for the dark places of
the land are full of the habitations of violence.
21. O let not the oppressed turn back in confusion;
let the poor and needy praise Thy Name.
22. Arise, O אֱלֹהִים, plead Thine own
cause; remember Thy reproach all the day at the hand of the base man.
23. Forget not the voice of Thine
adversaries, the tumult of those that rise up against Thee which ascendeth continually.
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Let us now view the explanations
of the above Tehillim - Psalm 74 - on
a ‘verse by verse’ bases.
Verse 1. Israel feels abandoned. The Psalmist expresses anguish at אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s apparent distance.
Verse 2. A covenantal appeal: אֱלֹהִים redeemed Israel and chose Zion. The Psalmist asks Him to “remember”—meaning to act.
Verse 3. The sanctuary lies in ruins. The Psalmist invites אֱלֹהִים to witness the devastation.
Verse 4. Enemies have desecrated the Temple, replacing sacred worship with their own symbols.
Verses 5-6. Imagery of invaders hacking at the Temple’s ornate woodwork.
The destruction is intentional and violent.
Verse 7. The burning of the sanctuary is the ultimate
humiliation.
Verse 8. The enemy seeks total destruction of people, identity, and worship.
Verse 9. A spiritual crisis: no prophetic voice, no Divine signs. The people feel directionless.
Verse 10. “How long?” expresses both faith and frustration. The Psalmist believes אֱלֹהִים can act.
Verse 11. A bold metaphor: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power seems hidden. The Psalmist urges Him to reveal it.
Verse 12. A turning point. Despite devastation, the psalmist affirms אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s eternal kingship.
Verses 13-14. Recalling the Exodus and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mastery over chaotic forces (symbolized by sea monsters and Leviathan).
Verse 15. אֱלֹהִים controls waters symbols of both chaos and life.
Verses 16-17. אֱלֹהִים rules time and creation. If He governs the cosmos, He can restore His people.
Verse 18. The Psalmist appeals to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s honour: the enemy’s insults are ultimately against Him.
Verse 19. Israel is likened to a gentle dove, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘beloved’.
Verse 20. The covenant is the foundation of hope. Even in darkness, it remains.
Verse 21. A plea for justice and dignity for the oppressed.
Verse 22. The Psalmist asks אֱלֹהִים to defend His own cause His reputation and righteousness.
Verse 23. The Psalm ends with urgency: אֱלֹהִים must not ignore the rising hostility of the enemy.
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My Closing Message:
Psalm 74 is a profound expression of faithful lament. It teaches that grief and trust can coexist. The Psalmist does not hide anguish but brings it directly to אֱלֹהִים, anchored in the certainty of His covenant and past deliverance.
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...
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of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk
in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances,
and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and
you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
- the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
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May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers)
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(blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
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