Psalm 74:2 NLT,NIV,ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 74:1-11

This psalm is entitled Maschil?a psalm to give instruction, for it was penned in a day of affliction, which is intended for instruction; and this instruction in general it gives us, That when we are, upon any account, in distress, it is our wisdom and duty to apply to God by faithful and fervent prayer, and we shall not find it in vain to do so. Three things the people of God here complain of:? I. The displeasure of God against them, as that which was the cause and bitterness of all their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:2

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old ,.... Alluding to the redemption of the congregation of Israel out of Egypt, when they were said to be "purchased", Exodus 15:16 and as that people were typical of the people of God, they may be said to be "purchased then", even of old; though the purchase in reality was not made till the blood of Christ was shed, with which he purchased his church, Acts 20:28 , indeed he was the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world, in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 74:2

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old - We are the descendants of that people whom thou didst take unto thyself; the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Wilt thou never more be reconciled to us? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 74:2

Verse 2 2.Remember thy congregation, which thou hast possessed of old. (214) Here they boast of having been the peculiar people of God, not on account of any merit of their own, but by the grace of adoption. They boast in like manner of their antiquity, — that they are not subjects who have come under the government of God only within a few months ago, but such as had fallen to him by right of inheritance. The longer the period during which he had continued his love towards the seed of Abraham,... 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 74:2

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; or, which thou didst purchase of old. The reference is to the redemption out of Egypt (see Exodus 15:16 ). God is besought, though he has forgotten, once more to remember his people, and urged to do so by the memory of his former mercies (comp. Psalms 74:12-17 ). The rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed ; rather, which thou didst redeem to be the tribe of thine inheritance; i.e. the people of thine... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:2

Remember thy congregation - The word rendered “congregation” means properly an “assembly,” a “community,” and it is frequently applied to the Israelites, or the Jewish people, considered as a body or a community associated for the service of God. Exodus 12:3; Exodus 16:1-2, Exodus 16:9; Leviticus 4:15; Numbers 27:17. The word used by the Septuagint is συναγωγή sunagōgē - synagogue - but refers here to the whole Jewish people, not to a particular synagogue or congregation.Which thou hast... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 74:2

Psalms 74:2. Remember thy congregation That is, the Israelites, who are thy church, and whom at the expense of so many miracles, thou didst make thy peculiar people; show by thine actions that thou hast not utterly forgotten and forsaken them; which thou hast purchased Hebrew, קנית , kanita, rendered bought, Deuteronomy 32:6, but which also signifies acquired or procured, though without price, as Ruth 4:9-10. Of old When thou didst bring them out of Egypt, and form them into a... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 74:2

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 . read more