Psalm 74 explained: Asking God Why the Temple Burned

Why have you rejected us? (vv. 1-3)

The people call themselves God's sheep and remind him that he made them his own long ago, likely recalling his rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Mount Zion is the hill in Jerusalem where the temple stood, and they beg God to come and see its ruins.

The temple destroyed (vv. 4-8)

Enemy soldiers shout in the place of worship, raise their army banners as signs of victory, hack the carved wood like woodcutters in a forest, and burn it all down. Most scholars link this to the Babylonian army burning the Jerusalem temple in 586 BC, though some suggest a later attack.

No sign, no prophet (vv. 9-11)

There is no message from God and no one who can say how long this will last. The picture of God keeping his hand tucked inside his clothing means he seems to be holding back and doing nothing.

The God who tamed the sea (vv. 12-17)

The poet recalls God splitting the sea, which echoes Israel's escape through the waters, and crushing Leviathan, a many-headed sea monster from older Canaanite poems that stood for chaos. Day and night, sun and moon, and the seasons are all named as his work, as a reason to believe he can still act.

Remember your people (vv. 18-23)

The people picture themselves as a small, defenseless bird among wild beasts, and they ask God to keep his covenant, his binding promise to them, while violence fills the land. The psalm ends with the enemies' uproar still rising and no answer yet given.

Key verse: Psalm 74:12

Something to think about

When something you cared about has been destroyed and no explanation comes, what do you do with the question 'why'?