A Plea For Relief.

A PLEA FOR RELIEF.

Psalm 74:19-23.

The Psalmist is addressing the LORD when he says, “O deliver not the soul of THY turtledove unto the multitude” (PSALM 74:19a). The soul of a believer is compared to a turtledove. Jesus addresses the Church as ‘MY dove’ in Song of Songs 2:14.

Doves were kept as pets in the Ancient Near East. They are gentle in nature, and their presence soothes those who keep them. Jesus describes them as ‘harmless’ (cf. Matthew 10:16). Spiritually, they have come to symbolise peace.

“The multitude” are understood as ‘the wicked that oppress me, my deadly enemies that compass me about’ (cf. Psalm 17:9).

The Psalmist continues, “forget not the congregation of THY poor for ever” (PSALM 74:19b). Of course, we know that the LORD will not “forget” us, and certainly not “for ever.” He WILL have mercy upon His afflicted, and WILL NOT forget Zion (cf. Isaiah 49:13-16).

“Have respect unto the covenant” (PSALM 74:20a). The LORD has made certain promises to His covenant people. That being so, His people must also recall that they, too, have certain responsibilities.

The reason for reminding the LORD of His covenant (as if He would ever forget it) is “for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty” (PSALM 74:20b).

“Dark places” stands for the world of the ungodly. “Habitations of cruelty” could speak of the places where cruel people live; but it could also represent harsh, cruel prison camps!

“O let not the oppressed return ashamed” (PSALM 74:21a). The idea of being “oppressed” is literally to be “crushed” (cf. Psalm 9:9; Psalm 10:18).

Jesus went to the garden named ‘Gethsemane’ (meaning ‘oil press’), and He ‘began to be sorrowful and very heavy’ and declared, ‘My heart is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death’ (cf. Matthew 26:37-38). The intensity of His suffering was such that ‘His blood was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground’ (cf. Luke 22:44).

Rather than that “the poor and needy” should return from the throne of grace “ashamed,” without an answer to their prayer, may they have reason to “praise thy name” (PSALM 74:21b; cf. Revelation 19:1).

“Arise, O God, plead thine own cause” (PSALM 74:22a). After all, the church’s cause is the LORD’s own cause.

“Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily” (PSALM 74:22b; cf. Psalm 74:10; Psalm 74:18).

“Forget not the voice of thine enemies” (PSALM 74:23a; cf. Psalm 74:4).

“The tumult of those that rise up against you increaseth continually” (PSALM 74:23b). The cry of their sin goes up to God continually (cf. Genesis 4:10; Genesis 18:20-21; Exodus 3:9; 2 Kings 19:28; Jonah 1:2; Revelation 18:5).

Thus the Psalm ends, with the Psalmist leaving the matter in the LORD’s capable hands. After all, the Psalmist’s plea is made on behalf of the LORD’s church (PSALM 74:19), the LORD’s own cause (PSALM 74:22); and that His people may have reason to “praise thy name” (PSALM 74:21). As they surely will.