Psalm 74

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 74

Remember Your Congregation Which You Have Purchased

1 O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture? 2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

18 Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O LORD, And that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name. 19 Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever. 20 Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. 21 Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name. 22 Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. 23 Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; The tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.
Psalm 74:1-2 and 18-23, KJV

Psalm 74 is a Psalm of contemplation written by Asaph. It's really a Psalm that should be read in its entirety, but I have just reproduced the beginning and then the last few verses. This is the Psalm you should turn to on one of those rainy days when it seems as though God is far away; your prayers just seem to bounce off the ceiling. We all have days like that; days we doubt the Lord, and even doubt our own salvation.

What a wondrous and personal God we have! He understands our frame, that we are like dust! But, just as an earthly father likes to give good gifts to his children, and tries to be patient with the foolishness of his children, so God is even more patient and understanding of us.

It is a right thing for us to go to God when He seems so far away. Then, we should pray as the Psalmist has prayed, Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed. Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast!

Next, turn to a Psalm like Psalm 73 and ponder the greatness of God and all that He has done for you. Spend some time meditating on all of the things that God has done for you personally starting with the salvation He has granted you in Christ.

When our focus returns to Christ, our heart begins to be lifted up! Praise God that He never forgets His children. Though He may seem to be far away, in reality He is right there beside you faithfully keeping watch over your soul.

It may be necessary for you to go through trying times, but like the Psalmist in Psalm 74, let us use those times to draw us back to God.

Pray today that God would fill you with the hope and joy of His presence right there beside you.

Next: Psalm 75 - God's Anger Smokes Against His People

More Devotions on the 74th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions

Why, O God?, verses 1-8

Summer and Winter, verses 9-17

Remember This, verses 18-23