Psalm 74

by T.J. Sands, Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. | Category: The Psalms Of Asaph | Jul 1984

In previous articles we have thought of the glory and beauty of the Temple buildings in Jerusalem, where Asaph and his sons praised God in singing and music. But if we'd been alive to visit that same temple some 350 or 50 years later, what a change we would have seen. 2 Kings chapter 25 recounts how Nebuzaradan, a servant of the great king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, "burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem

with fire." Psalm 74 may well belong to that sad period of history. Look at verses 6 and 7: "And now all the carved work thereof together they break down with hatchet and hammers. They have set Thy sanctuary on fire; they have profaned the dwelling place of Thy name even to the ground." How heartbreaking to Asaph's descendants to see such callous and wanton destruction.

The Psalmist asks a number of questions, and not unnaturally, the first of them is "Why." "0 God, why hast Thou cast us off for ever?" There are two ways in which we can ask "Why" of God. One is in a doubting, grumbling spirit not really believing that to them that love God "all things work together for good" (Rom. 8:28). The other is in a spirit of meekness, acknowledging God's sovereignty and love. The latter was the way the Psalmist asked "Why," for see in verse 12, the assurance of faith: "God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth."

Asaph's second question is also an expected one: "How long?" "How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme Thy name for ever'?" Each day seemed to bring new atrocities the work which had taken skilled craftsmen years to construct destroyed in minutes, even the places of assembly in each town and village systematically destroyed and burned, and yet no prophet with a message from God or a sign from heaven could be found. But to the question 'How long?" as also to the question "Why?" there's an answer of assurance. As well as God being Lord of the material earth, He is also the Lord of time. "The day is Thine, the night also is Thine: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun... Thou hast made summer and winter." It's good for us to remember this when some misfortune or sorrow seems never-ending. All our times are in God's hands. In His all-wise hands lies the answer to each of our wonderings about "how long."

Look at Asaph's third question. It follows on, in thought, from the previous two. In verse II we read, "Why drawest Thou back Thy hand, even Thy right hand? Pluck it out of Thy bosom and consume them (God's enemies)." This

question reminds us of another lovely facet of God's character, His longsuffering. Perhaps you will recall the incident in Luke chapter 9 when the Lord was going up to Jerusalem and was treated very uncivilly by some Samaritan villagers. James and John were furious at this unkind behaviour to their beloved Lord. "Lord," they enquired, "wilt Thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?" The Scriptures tell us that He turned and rebuked them. Jesus didn't ignore or loathe His enemies; He loved them. And, in the Psalmist's day, God held back His righteous judgements so that there might be opportunity for the wicked to repent. "I have no pleasure" God tells us "in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live" (Ezek. 33:11). The challenge to each of us is very great, isn't it? to be longsuffering like our heavenly Father. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:44, 45).

Finally, look at verse 22. "Arise, 0 God" we read, "plead Thine own cause." In times of trouble, it seems natural to be full of worry and care. "Be not therefore anxious" the Lord said, "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things" (Mat. 6:31, 32). God will arise and plead His own cause. It's our privilege to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and to know the truth of the promise: "all these things (whatever we need) shall be added unto you.

T.J. Sands, Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. | Jul 1984
The Psalms Of Asaph