Consider Your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. Consider the covenantThe word "consider" in Hebrew is "ra'ah," which means to see, look at, or inspect. It implies a deep, thoughtful reflection. The psalmist is urging God to remember His covenant, a solemn agreement that He made with His people. The covenant is central to the relationship between God and Israel, often associated with promises of protection, blessing, and a call to obedience. Historically, covenants were binding agreements, and in the biblical context, they were often sealed with sacrifices. The psalmist appeals to God's faithfulness, reminding Him of the promises made to His people. for the dark places of the land
The phrase "dark places" can be understood as areas of spiritual or moral darkness, places where God's presence and light seem absent. In Hebrew, "dark" is "choshek," which can also mean obscurity or secrecy. This could refer to regions overtaken by idolatry or oppression, where the knowledge of God is not acknowledged. Historically, Israel faced many periods of spiritual decline and foreign oppression, and the psalmist is likely lamenting these conditions, asking God to intervene. are full of violence
The Hebrew word for "violence" is "chamas," which denotes cruelty, injustice, or wrongdoing. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe the moral corruption and social injustice that provoked God's judgment. The psalmist is highlighting the prevalence of violence and injustice in the land, a situation that stands in stark contrast to the peace and righteousness that should characterize a society under God's covenant. This plea is a call for divine justice and restoration, a cry for God to act against the pervasive evil and to restore His order and peace. Persons / Places / Events 1. AsaphTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 74, Asaph was a Levite and one of the leaders of David's choir. He is known for his role in temple worship and his contributions to the Psalms. 2. CovenantRefers to the sacred agreement between God and His people, Israel. In the context of this Psalm, it is a plea for God to remember His promises amidst the nation's suffering. 3. Haunts of ViolenceSymbolic of the places and situations where evil and injustice prevail. These are the areas in the land where God's presence seems absent due to the rampant wickedness. 4. Dark Places of the LandRepresents the spiritual and moral darkness that has overtaken the land, possibly due to foreign invasion or internal corruption. 5. IsraelThe nation of God's chosen people, who are experiencing distress and calling upon God to remember His covenant with them. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness to His CovenantDespite circumstances that seem bleak, believers can trust in God's unwavering commitment to His promises. This trust should lead to a steadfast faith even in times of trial. The Reality of Spiritual DarknessAcknowledge the presence of evil and spiritual darkness in the world. Christians are called to be light in these dark places, reflecting God's truth and love. Prayer as a Response to InjusticeLike the psalmist, believers should turn to God in prayer when faced with violence and injustice, asking Him to intervene and bring about His justice. The Importance of Remembering God's PromisesRegularly remind yourself of God's promises through Scripture. This practice strengthens faith and provides hope during difficult times. Engaging with the World as God's PeopleChristians are called to engage with the world, bringing God's light into dark places and working towards justice and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of covenant in Psalm 74:20 provide comfort and assurance to believers today? 2. In what ways can Christians actively bring light to the "dark places of the land" in their communities? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt surrounded by "haunts of violence." How did you see God's faithfulness during that period? 4. How can the church collectively respond to the spiritual darkness and injustice present in the world today? 5. What are some practical ways to remind yourself of God's promises daily, and how can this practice impact your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 9:15The concept of covenant is foundational in the Bible, beginning with God's covenant with Noah, which sets a precedent for His faithfulness. Exodus 2:24God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, leading to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, illustrating His faithfulness to His promises. Jeremiah 31:31-34The promise of a new covenant, highlighting God's ongoing commitment to His people despite their unfaithfulness. Ephesians 6:12The struggle against spiritual darkness, which parallels the "dark places of the land" mentioned in Psalm 74:20. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Acts, Attentively, Consider, Covenant, Cruel, Cruelty, Dark, Dwellings, Fill, Full, Habitations, Haunts, Honor, Mind, Places, Pride, Regard, Respect, Undertaking, ViolenceDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:20 5828 danger
5975 violence Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame Psalm 74:18-23 8610 prayer, asking God 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 74:20 NIVPsalm 74:20 NLTPsalm 74:20 ESVPsalm 74:20 NASBPsalm 74:20 KJV
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