Psalm 74:6 NIV

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 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. Formerly it was an honour to be employed in cutting down a tree for the building of the temple; but now so little regard was paid to it, that all its fine carved work, which Solomon made, 1 Kings 6:18 , was demolished at once in a rude and furious manner with axes and hammers; which was done either by the Chaldeans in Nebuchadnezzar's time, or by the Syrians in the times of Antiochus, or by the Romans in the... 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 74:3-8

Hell's carnival. This is what is portrayed to us in these lamentations over the desecrations and destructions wreaked upon the temple at Jerusalem, probably at the time of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion (see 2 Chronicles 36:17 , etc.). As the destroyer acted then, so he acts now when the like work is on hand of profaning God's sanctuary. What the ancient temple was, the Church of God is—the sanctuary of God. And it has once and again come under the destroyer's power. I. THE TEMPLE IS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. The "carved work" ( pittuchim ) of the temple consisted of the cherubim and palm trees and open flowers which formed the decoration of the temple walls (see 1 Kings 6:29 , where the same word, pittuchim, is used). This superficial carved work may have been broken down for the sake of the gold with which it was overlaid ( 1 Kings 6:22 , 1 Kings 6:32 , 1 Kings 6:35 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof ... - literally, “But now the carvings of it together, at once, with sledge and hammers they beat down.” The carved work refers evidently to the ornaments of the temple. The word used here - פתוח pittûach - is rendered engraving, carved work, or carving; Exodus 28:11, Exodus 28:21, Exodus 28:36; Exodus 39:6, Exodus 39:14, Exodus 39:30; Zechariah 3:9; 2 Chronicles 2:14. It is the very word which in 1 Kings 6:29 is applied to the ornaments around... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 74:5-6

Psalms 74:5-6. A man was famous, &c. The meaning, according to this translation, is this: The temple was so noble a structure, that it was a great honour to any man to be employed in the meanest part of the work, though it were but in cutting down the trees of Lebanon. And this interpretation is favoured by the opposition in the next verse. But now, &c. Some learned expositors, however, translate the first words of this verse, יודע , not, He was famous, but, as is more literal, ... 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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 74:5-6

Psalms 74:5-6. A man was famous, &c.— They shew themselves as one lifts up axes an high, in the thicket of the trees. Psalms 74:6. But now, &c. Houbigant renders it in the perfect tense; and, instead of the carved work thereof, reads, thy gates. But now they have broken down thy gates. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:6

6. carved work— ( :-). thereof—that is, of the temple, in the writer's mind, though not expressed till :-, in which its utter destruction by fire is mentioned (2 Kings 25:9; Isaiah 64:11). read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:3-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 74:5-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:1-23

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 74:5-6

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:6

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