16 Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. 17 You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.
18 See how these enemies insult you, Lord . A foolish nation has dishonored your name. 19 Don't let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves. Don't forget your suffering people forever. 20 Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence! 21 Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Arise, OÂ God, and defend your cause. Remember how these fools insult you all day long. 23 Don't overlook what your enemies have said or their growing uproar.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 74:16-33
Commentary on Psalm 74:12-17
(Read Psalm 74:12-17)
The church silences her own complaints. What God had done for his people, as their King of old, encouraged them to depend on him. It was the Lord's doing, none besides could do it. This providence was food to faith and hope, to support and encourage in difficulties. The God of Israel is the God of nature. He that is faithful to his covenant about the day and the night, will never cast off those whom he has chosen. We have as much reason to expect affliction, as to expect night and winter. But we have no more reason to despair of the return of comfort, than to despair of day and summer. And in the world above we shall have no more changes.
Commentary on Psalm 74:18-23
(Read Psalm 74:18-23)
The psalmist begs that God would appear for the church against their enemies. The folly of such as revile his gospel and his servants will be plain to all. Let us call upon our God to enlighten the dark nations of the earth; and to rescue his people, that the poor and needy may praise his name. Blessed Saviour, thou art the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Make thy people more than conquerors. Be thou, Lord, all in all to them in every situation and circumstances; for then thy poor and needy people will praise thy name.