Psa 74 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 74:1-23: Ps 74 The psalmist laments the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (586 BC ) with vivid imagery, questions, fresh memories, and a direct appeal for the Lord to act (74:19-23 ). Summary for Ps 74:1-2: 74:1-2 In the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, it seemed that God had forgotten his special covenant relationship with his people. 74:1 God rejected his people because their sin aroused his anger (106:34-46 ). • Like a tender shepherd, God cares for his people, the sheep of his pasture (Pss 23 ; 100:3 ).

Summary for Ps 74:1-23: Ps 74 ^a The psalmist laments the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (586 BC) with vivid imagery, questions, fresh memories, and a direct appeal for the Lord to act (74:19-23 ^b).
Summary for Ps 74:1-2: 74:1-2 ^c In the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, it seemed that God had forgotten his special covenant relationship with his people. 74:1 ^d God rejected his people because their sin aroused his anger (106:34-46 ^e).

• Like a tender shepherd, God cares for his people, the sheep of his pasture (Pss 23 ^f; 100:3 ^g).
74:2 ^h The Lord chose and redeemed Israel from Egypt in the Exodus (cp. Exod 15:13 ⁱ).

• your own special possession: This is another expression for “your people” (Pss 28:9 ^j; 78:62 ^k; 94:14 ^l; 106:40 ^m).
Summary for Ps 74:3-8: 74:3-8 ⁿ Like a guide, the psalmist points out to the Lord what took place during the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
74:12 ^o my king from ages past: The psalmist acknowledges God’s power and his historical bond with Israel (5:2 ^p; 44:4 ^q; 84:3 ^r).
74:14 ^s Leviathan: See 104:26 ^t; Job 3:8 ^u; 41:1 ^v, 12 ^w, 22 ^x, 31 ^y; Isa 27:1 ^z. Here, the creature’s multiple heads suggest a mythical monster.
74:15 ^aa springs and streams to gush forth: God provided water in the desert for his people (see 68:8-9 ^ab; Exod 17:6 ^ac); he dried up the Red Sea (Exod 14:21 ^ad) and the Jordan River (Josh 3:17 ^ae).
Summary for Ps 74:19-23: 74:19-23 ^af The poet urges God to act.