Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever. Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts;This phrase uses the imagery of a dove, which is often a symbol of innocence, purity, and peace in the Bible. The dove is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as seen in the baptism of Jesus ( Matthew 3:16). In the context of Psalm 74, the dove represents the people of Israel, who are vulnerable and in need of God's protection. The "beasts" symbolize the enemies of Israel, often depicted as wild and destructive forces. This imagery can be connected to the historical context of Israel's enemies, such as the Babylonians, who destroyed the temple and took the people into exile. The plea is for God not to abandon His people to these destructive forces, reflecting a deep trust in God's ability to protect and deliver. do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever.
This part of the verse emphasizes a plea for God's remembrance and intervention on behalf of the afflicted, who are suffering under oppression. The term "afflicted" often refers to those who are poor, oppressed, or in distress, a recurring theme throughout the Psalms. This plea is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is seen as the protector and deliverer of His people. The call for God not to forget is a request for divine justice and mercy, echoing other scriptures where God is asked to remember His covenant (Exodus 2:24, Psalm 106:45). This reflects a belief in God's faithfulness and His ultimate plan for redemption, which Christians see fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who came to bring hope and deliverance to the afflicted (Luke 4:18). Persons / Places / Events 1. AsaphTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 74, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court, known for his role in temple worship. 2. The DoveSymbolically represents Israel or the people of God, often used in Scripture to denote innocence, purity, and vulnerability. 3. BeastsRepresents the enemies of Israel, often depicted as wild and destructive forces that threaten God's people. 4. The AfflictedRefers to the suffering and oppressed people of God, who are in need of divine intervention and protection. 5. The SanctuaryThough not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Psalm 74 involves the desecration of the temple, a central place of worship and symbol of God's presence among His people. Teaching Points God's ProtectionJust as the psalmist pleads for the protection of the "dove," believers can trust in God's promise to safeguard His people from spiritual and physical harm. Vulnerability and DependenceThe imagery of the dove reminds us of our vulnerability and the need to depend on God's strength and protection in times of trouble. Intercession for the AfflictedThis verse encourages believers to pray for those who are suffering and oppressed, asking God not to forget them in their affliction. Symbolism of the DoveReflect on the qualities of the dove—innocence, purity, and peace—and strive to embody these characteristics in our walk with Christ. Hope in God's RemembranceThe plea for God not to forget His people assures us that God is mindful of our struggles and will act in His perfect timing. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of the "dove" in Psalm 74:19 enhance our understanding of Israel's relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we see the "beasts" in our own lives, and how can we seek God's protection against them? 3. How does the theme of God's remembrance in Psalm 74:19 provide comfort in times of personal affliction? 4. What are some practical ways we can intercede for the "afflicted" in our communities, following the example of the psalmist? 5. How do the qualities of a dove, as seen in Scripture, challenge us to live out our faith in a world that often opposes Christian values? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 68:13This verse also uses the imagery of a dove, symbolizing Israel's purity and the beauty of God's people. Isaiah 40:11Describes God's care for His people, akin to a shepherd tending to his flock, which parallels the plea for protection in Psalm 74:19. Matthew 10:16Jesus instructs His disciples to be "as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves," connecting the dove imagery to the character of God's people. Revelation 12:14The imagery of protection and deliverance from the enemy is echoed in the vision of the woman given wings to escape the serpent. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Afflicted, Beast, Beasts, Company, Congregation, Deliver, Dove, Forever, Forget, Hawk, Memory, Multitude, O, Oh, Ones, Poor, Soul, Troop, Turtle, Turtledove, Turtle-dove, Wicked, WildDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:19 4636 dove 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 74:19 NIVPsalm 74:19 NLTPsalm 74:19 ESVPsalm 74:19 NASBPsalm 74:19 KJV
Psalm 74:19 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
