Title. Maschil = Instruction. The ninth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 of Asaph. The third of the twelve Asaph Psalms. See App-63 . Not David's Asaph, but a successor bearing the same name.
God. Hebrew Elohim. App-4 .
why . . . ? Figure of speech. Erotesis. See App-6 .
cast us off. Compare Psalms 43:2 ; Psalms 44:9 .
smoke. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare Psalms 18:8 .
sheep of Thy pasture. Occurs frequently in the Asaph Psalms (Psalms 79:13 ); also in Jeremiah 23:1 .Ezekiel 34:31 .
bosom. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Septuagint adds here "Selah". If this was in the primitive text, it marks the division of the Structure; and connects the conclusion of the prayer with the wonderful ground of the plea based upon it; which, with (Psalms 74:12 ) and (verses: Psalms 74:13-17 ) constitute the central members and subjects of the Psalm.
fountain. Compare Exodus 17:6 . Numbers 20:11 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the rook from which the water flowed. flood. Compare Joshua 3:13 .
Verse 1
Title. Maschil = Instruction. The ninth of thirteen so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 of Asaph. The third of the twelve Asaph Psalms. See App-63 . Not David's Asaph, but a successor bearing the same name.
God. Hebrew Elohim. App-4 .
why . . . ? Figure of speech. Erotesis. See App-6 .
cast us off. Compare Psalms 43:2 ; Psalms 44:9 .
smoke. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. Compare Psalms 18:8 .
sheep of Thy pasture. Occurs frequently in the Asaph Psalms (Psalms 79:13 ); also in Jeremiah 23:1 .Ezekiel 34:31 .
Verse 2
congregation = assembly. The subject of Book II.
purchased = acquired as a possession. Hebrew. kanah. Compare Psalms 78:54 .
of old = aforetime. Refers to Exodus 15:16 .
rod = sceptre.
redeemed. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 .
This. Shows that the writer wrote while the scenes described were enacted. Compare Psalms 79:0 and Lamentations 2:1-9 .
mount Zion. See App-68 .
Verse 3
Lift up Thy feet unto = Hasten to [and see]. Compare Idiom (Genesis 29:1 ).
feet. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
perpetual. Same word as "for ever", Psalms 74:1 .
Verse 4
enemies = adversaries.
Thy congregations = Thine assembly.
their. Compare "our", Psalms 74:9 .
ensigns for signs = signs as signs [for us].
signs. Same word as "ensigns" and "standard" in Numbers 2:0 .
Verse 5
was = used to be [considered]. The contrast is with "now" in the next line.
Axes. Compare Jeremiah 46:22 , Jeremiah 46:23 .
Verse 7
cast fire into, &c. = cast Thy holy place into the fire.
sanctuary. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "holy places" (plural)
dwelling place. Hebrew. mishkan. App-40 (2).
Verse 8
together: or, at once.
synagogues = meeting-places. See note on "congregations", Psalms 74:4 . This rendering comes from the Septuagint
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
Verse 9
signs: i.e. the signs of God ' s presence and power, or miraculous signs. Compare "their" of Psalms 74:4 with "our", Psalms 74:9 .
prophet. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for prophetic utterances.
Verse 10
how long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. Compare Psalms 74:1 . Figure of speech Ellipsis , "how long [this shall last]".
Verse 11
bosom. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Septuagint adds here "Selah". If this was in the primitive text, it marks the division of the Structure; and connects the conclusion of the prayer with the wonderful ground of the plea based upon it; which, with (Psalms 74:12 ) and (verses: Psalms 74:13-17 ) constitute the central members and subjects of the Psalm.
Verse 12
salvation = deliverances. Plural of majesty = great deliverance.
in the midst, &c. Compare Exodus 8:22 . (Hebrew. Psalms 74:15 ).
Verse 13
divide = cleave. Compare Exodus 14:21 , describing a sudden vehement act. Hebrew. parar.
dragons = crocodiles. (No Art.) Symbolical of Egypt.
Verse 14
people inhabiting = inhabitants: i.e. the wild beasts.
Verse 15
cleave = sunder, open a passage. Hebrew. baka'.
fountain. Compare Exodus 17:6 . Numbers 20:11 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the rook from which the water flowed. flood. Compare Joshua 3:13 .
Verse 16
light. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "moon".
Verse 18
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Thy name = Thee. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
Verse 19
the soul = the life. Hebrew. nephesh.
multitude = company, or host; same word as "congregation" in next line.
poor = oppressed. Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
Verse 20
the. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Thy".
covenant. Compare Genesis 15:18 ; Genesis 17:7 , Genesis 17:8 .
the earth: or the land.
Verse 21
the oppressed = an oppressed one. Same as Psalms 74:19 .
return. Compare Psalms 6:10 .
the poor and needy praise = a poor one, and a needy one will praise.
Verse 23
To the chief Musician. See App-64 . Al-taschith = Destroy not. See App-65 .