Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance--Mount Zion where You dwell. Remember Your congregationThe phrase "Remember Your congregation" calls upon God to recall His chosen people, Israel. The Hebrew word for "remember" is "זָכַר" (zakar), which implies not just a mental recollection but an active consideration that leads to action. In the context of the psalm, this is a plea for God to act on behalf of His people, who are in distress. Historically, the congregation refers to the assembly of Israel, God's covenant community. This plea is rooted in the covenantal relationship established between God and Israel, where God promised to be their God and they His people. The psalmist is invoking this covenant, urging God to act in accordance with His promises. which You purchased of old
The phrase "which You purchased of old" refers to God's redemptive acts in history, particularly the Exodus, where God "purchased" or redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew word "קָנָה" (qanah) means to acquire or buy, emphasizing the cost and value of the congregation to God. This historical context underscores the psalmist's appeal to God's past faithfulness and mighty acts of deliverance. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His power to save, encouraging the faithful to trust in His ability to rescue them once again. and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance
The phrase "and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance" highlights Israel's unique status as God's chosen people. The word "redeemed" comes from the Hebrew "גָּאַל" (ga'al), which means to reclaim or rescue, often used in the context of a kinsman-redeemer. This term reinforces the idea of God as a close relative who has the right and responsibility to save His people. The "tribe of Your inheritance" signifies Israel's special place as God's possession, a theme that runs throughout the Old Testament. This inheritance is not just a physical land but a spiritual relationship, where Israel is set apart for God's purposes. Mount Zion, where You dwelled
The phrase "Mount Zion, where You dwelled" refers to the physical and spiritual center of Israel's worship, Jerusalem, and more specifically, the Temple Mount. Zion is often used in Scripture to symbolize God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word "שָׁכַן" (shakan) means to dwell or abide, indicating God's intimate presence with Israel. Historically, Mount Zion was the site of the Temple, the place where God's glory resided, and where the Israelites came to worship. This reference to Zion serves as a reminder of God's past presence and the hope for His return to restore and protect His people. The psalmist is appealing to God's historical dwelling place as a basis for His intervention and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, called upon to remember His people and His covenant with them. 2. CongregationRefers to the people of Israel, God's chosen people, whom He has purchased and redeemed. 3. Tribe of Your InheritanceSpecifically points to the Israelites, who are considered God's special possession. 4. Mount ZionA significant location in biblical history, representing the dwelling place of God and the spiritual center of Israel. 5. RedemptionThe act of God saving His people, a theme that runs throughout the Bible, symbolizing deliverance and salvation. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His PeopleGod is faithful to remember His covenant with His people, even when they face trials and tribulations. The Significance of RedemptionRedemption is a central theme in the Bible, symbolizing God's saving grace and His commitment to His people. The Importance of Spiritual HeritageBelievers today are part of a spiritual heritage that traces back to God's covenant with Israel, emphasizing the continuity of God's plan. Mount Zion as a Symbol of God's PresenceMount Zion represents God's dwelling place and His presence among His people, reminding us of the importance of seeking His presence in our lives. Living as God's InheritanceAs God's chosen people, believers are called to live in a way that reflects their identity as His inheritance, demonstrating His love and grace to the world. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God "remembering" His congregation provide comfort and assurance in times of difficulty? 2. In what ways can we see the theme of redemption in our own lives, and how does it connect to the redemption of Israel? 3. How does understanding our spiritual heritage as part of God's chosen people influence our daily walk with Christ? 4. What does Mount Zion symbolize in both the Old and New Testaments, and how can this understanding deepen our relationship with God? 5. How can we live out our identity as God's inheritance in practical ways within our communities and families? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19:5-6This passage highlights Israel as God's treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, reinforcing the idea of the "tribe of Your inheritance." Deuteronomy 7:6-8Emphasizes God's choice of Israel as His people, not because of their number, but because of His love and the oath He swore to their ancestors. 1 Peter 2:9Connects the concept of a chosen people to the New Testament believers, showing continuity in God's plan for His people. Hebrews 12:22-24Describes Mount Zion in a spiritual sense, as the heavenly Jerusalem, linking the Old Testament understanding with New Testament revelation. Ephesians 1:7Discusses redemption through Christ's blood, drawing a parallel to the redemption mentioned in Psalm 74:2. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Assembly, Band, Company, Congregation, Dwell, Dwelt, Gotten, Hast, Heritage, Inheritance, Mind, Mount, Mountain, Past, Payment, Portion, Purchase, Purchased, Redeem, Redeemed, Remember, Resting-place, Rod, Tribe, Wherein, Worshippers, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:2 5402 market Psalm 74:1-2 7141 people of God, OT Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame Library The Meaning
Of the Red Dragon with Seven Heads fighting with Michael about the new-born Child. The first vision of the little book, of which we treated in the eleventh chapter, ran through the whole Apocalyptical course, from the beginning to the end, and that, as we elsewhere observed, to point out its connexion with the seals and trumpets. Now to that vision the remaining prophecies of the same interval, and of the affairs of the Church are to be accommodated, in order to complete the system of the little …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the ApocalypseThe Prophet of the Highest.
(LUKE I.) "Ye hermits blest, ye holy maids, The nearest heaven on earth, Who talk with God in shadowy glades, Free from rude care and mirth; To whom some viewless Teacher brings The secret love of rural things, The moral of each fleeting cloud and gale, The whispers from above, that haunt the twilight vale." KEBLE. Formative Influences--A Historical Parallel--The Burning of the Vanities--"Sent from God" "Thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High"--thus Zacharias addressed his infant …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 74:2 NIVPsalm 74:2 NLTPsalm 74:2 ESVPsalm 74:2 NASBPsalm 74:2 KJV
Psalm 74:2 Commentaries
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