Psalm 74:16-33

¹⁶ Thine is the day, thine also the night; thou hast established the luminaries and the sun. ¹⁷ Thou hast fixed all the bounds of the earth; thou hast made summer and winter.

¹⁸ Remember this, O Lord, how the enemy scoffs, and an impious people reviles thy name. ¹⁹ Do not deliver the soul of thy dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of thy poor for ever. ²⁰ Have regard for thy covenant; for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. ²¹ Let not the downtrodden be put to shame; let the poor and needy praise thy name. ²² Arise, O God, plead thy cause; remember how the impious scoff at thee all the day! ²³ Do not forget the clamor of thy foes, the uproar of thy adversaries which goes up continually!

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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.

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.