Psalm 74

Psalm 74 (Greek numbering: 73) is part of the Biblical Book of Psalms. A maschil or contemplation,[1] and a community lament, it expresses the pleas of the Jewish community in the Babylonian captivity. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 73. It is attributed to Asaph.

This article is about Psalm 74 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 74 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 75.
Psalm 74
"Gedenktafel Synagoge Weener" in der Westerstraße 32; with citation from Psalm 74:7: "They have set Thy sanctuary on fire; they have profaned the dwelling-place of Thy name even to the ground."
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Content

Verses 1–3 open this psalm by imploring God to "remember your people", and to "remember Mount Zion". The psalm continues in verses 3b to 11 by describing the destruction of the Temple by "the enemies of God".[2] Verses 12–17 recall and praise the might of God, and the psalm ends (verses 18–23) by imploring the Lord (verse 18) to remember Israel and come to her aid.

The enemy is not named, but may refer to King Nebuchadnezzar. According to the Targum, the reference is to Antiochus Epiphanes.[3]

Verse 1 portrays the image of the people of Israel as God's flock, "the sheep of your pasture".[4]

Uses

Judaism
  • Psalm 74 is recited on the fast of the Tenth of Tevet in some traditions.[5]
  • It is recited on the second day of Passover in some traditions.[5]
  • Verses 2 and 12 are recited during the blessings before the Shema on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.[6]

Christian churches

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month.[7]

References
  1. Psalm 74: Sub-heading, New King James Version
  2. Verse 4, King James Version
  3. Jerusalem Bible (1966), footnote a at Psalm 74
  4. Verse 1, New Revised Standard Version
  5. The Artscroll Tehillim, page 329
  6. The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah, page 271
  7. Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff
  • Psalm 74 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 74 King James Bible - Wikisource
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