like men wielding axes in a thicket of trees They have smashed all the carved panelingThey have smashedThe phrase "they have smashed" indicates a violent and deliberate act of destruction. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "שָׁבַר" (shabar), which means to break or shatter. This word conveys not just physical destruction but also a sense of violation and desecration. Historically, this reflects the actions of invading forces who would often destroy sacred objects to demonstrate their power and to demoralize the conquered people. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as an attack on the sanctity and holiness of God's dwelling place, symbolizing the broader spiritual warfare against God's people. all the carved paneling
The "carved paneling" refers to the intricate and artistic woodwork that adorned the temple. In Hebrew, the word "פִּתּוּחַ" (pittuach) is used, which denotes engraved or carved work. This craftsmanship was not merely decorative but held significant religious and cultural value, representing the beauty and glory of God's house. The destruction of such detailed work signifies a deep loss, not only of physical beauty but also of cultural and spiritual heritage. Archaeologically, remnants of such craftsmanship have been found in ancient Near Eastern temples, underscoring their importance in religious architecture. Scripturally, this act of destruction can be seen as an affront to God Himself, as the temple was His dwelling place among His people. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of earthly structures and the need for a faith that is rooted in the eternal and unshakeable presence of God. 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. The TempleThe context of Psalm 74 suggests the destruction or desecration of the temple, a central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. 3. Babylonian InvasionWhile not explicitly mentioned in the verse, the historical backdrop of the psalm is often associated with the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC. 4. Enemies of IsraelThe psalm speaks of those who have come against God's people, often interpreted as foreign invaders who have defiled the holy places. 5. Axes and ThicketsSymbolic imagery used to describe the destruction and desecration of sacred spaces, likening the invaders to woodsmen cutting down trees. Teaching Points Understanding LamentRecognize the importance of lament in the life of faith. It is a biblical way to express grief and seek God's intervention in times of distress. The Reality of Spiritual WarfareAcknowledge that spiritual battles are real and can manifest in physical and emotional challenges. The imagery of axes and thickets reminds us of the destructive power of sin and evil. God's Sovereignty Amidst DestructionTrust in God's ultimate control and plan, even when circumstances seem dire. The psalmist's lament is rooted in a deep faith that God will eventually restore and redeem. Preserving Sacred SpacesReflect on the importance of maintaining the sanctity of our places of worship and our hearts as temples of the Holy Spirit. Hope in RestorationHold onto the hope of restoration and renewal, as God has promised to rebuild and restore what has been broken. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of "men wielding axes" in Psalm 74:5 help us understand the severity of the situation faced by the Israelites? 2. In what ways can the lament in Psalm 74 be applied to personal or communal experiences of loss or destruction today? 3. How do the historical events surrounding the Babylonian invasion enhance our understanding of the psalmist's cry for help? 4. What other biblical passages offer hope and assurance of God's restoration after a period of destruction or judgment? 5. How can we, as modern believers, ensure that our places of worship and our personal lives remain sacred and dedicated to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 52Describes the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians, providing historical context to the lament in Psalm 74. Isaiah 10Uses similar imagery of axes and trees to describe God's judgment, offering a parallel to the destructive actions described in Psalm 74:5. Lamentations 1Expresses the sorrow and devastation felt by the Israelites after the destruction of Jerusalem, echoing the themes of lament found in Psalm 74. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Axe, Axes, Behaved, Blade, Bringing, Cut, Cutting, Entrance, Famous, Forest, Hacked, Lift, Lifted, Seemed, Seems, Thick, Thicket, Trees, Trellis, Upper, Upwards, Wield, Wielding, Wood, WoodenDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame Psalm 74:3-6 5211 art Psalm 74:4-7 7348 defilement Psalm 74:5-6 5583 tools 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 74:5 NIVPsalm 74:5 NLTPsalm 74:5 ESVPsalm 74:5 NASBPsalm 74:5 KJV
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