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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 74:18-23

The psalmist here, in the name of the church, most earnestly begs that God would appear fro them against their enemies, and put an end to their present troubles. To encourage his own faith, he interests God in this matter (Ps. 74:22): Arise, O God! plead thy own cause. This we may be sure he will do, for he is jealous for his own honour; whatever is his own cause he will plead it with a strong hand, will appear against those that oppose it and with and for those that cordially espouse it. He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:19

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove ,.... By which is meant the church, see Song of Solomon 2:14 , which is comparable to this creature for its cleanness and purity, for its amiableness and beauty, for its harmlessness and innocence, for its modesty and meekness, for its affection and chastity to its mate, for its mournful and bemoaning voice for the loss of it, for its being a timorous and fearful creature, a weak one, and exposed to the prey of others; all which is true of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 74:19

Deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove - Thy people Israel are helpless, defenceless, miserable, and afflicted: O deliver them no longer into the power of their brutal adversaries. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 74:19

Verse 19 19.Give not to the beast the soul of thy turtle dove. The Hebrew word חית , chayath, which we translate beast, signifies sometimes the soul or life, and so some explain it in the second clause of this verse, where it again occurs. But it is here unquestionably to be taken either for a wild beast or for a multitude. Understood in either of these ways, this form of expression will contain a very apposite comparison between the life of a weak and timorous bird, and a powerful army of men,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:1-23

In favour of the first is the ascription of the psalm in the "title" to Asaph. But all other considerations are against it. There is no evidence that Shishak ever entered Jerusalem. He certainly did not break down the carved work of the temple, or set the temple on fire, much less "cast it down to the ground." His invasion was a mere raid, and Rehoboam seems to have bought his retreat by the sacrifice of the temple treasury ( 2 Kings 14:25-28 ; 2 Chronicles 12:2-12 ). The circumstances... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:18-23

In conclusion, the psalmist prays earnestly that God will deliver his people from their wicked oppressors ( Psalms 74:18 , Psalms 74:19 ), that he will remember his covenant ( Psalms 74:20 ), cause the oppressed ones to praise him ( Psalms 74:21 ), and assert himself against those who insult and oppose him ( Psalms 74:22 , Psalms 74:23 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:19

O deliver net the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the multitude of the wicked; rather, O deliver not thy turtle dove unto the greedy multitude . Israel is beautifully compared to a pet dove, the gentlest and tenderest of birds. The Babylonians are the "greedy multitude" ready to kill and devour it. Forget not the congregation (or, the multitude ) of thy poor forever . The "multitude of God's poor" is being carried off into a cruel captivity, or else left as a miserable remnant in an... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:19

O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove - The “life” of thy turtle-dove; or, thy turtle-dove itself. The turtle-dove is a name of endearment for one beloved, in Song of Solomon 2:12, and is thus applied here to the people of Israel. The leading idea in such an application of the word is that of innocence, harmlessness, timidity, gentleness. The thought here is that of a people dear to God, now timid and alarmed. It is the prayer of a people beloved by God that he would not deliver them to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 74:19

Psalms 74:19. O deliver not the soul That is, the life; of thy turtle-dove That is, thy church; unto the multitude of the wicked Or, to the wild beast, as חית , chajath, often signifies: or, to the troop, namely, of her enemies. As if he had said, Thou hast delivered thy people into captivity; do not deliver them to death, nor suffer their enemies utterly to destroy them. The church is fitly compared to a turtle-dove, as resembling it in disposition, being simple, harmless, meek,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:1-23

Psalms 74:0 Israel in captivityThis psalm belongs to the time that followed the destruction of the nation Israel. Assyria conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC, and Babylon the southern kingdom during the years 605-587 BC. The people were taken captive into foreign lands and the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed (2 Kings 25:8-12). Now, with the centre of their religious life gone, the people feel cut off from God. Worse than that, the bitter years in captivity lead them to doubt God’s... read more

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