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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 74:1-11

This psalm is entitled Maschil?a psalm to give instruction, for it was penned in a day of affliction, which is intended for instruction; and this instruction in general it gives us, That when we are, upon any account, in distress, it is our wisdom and duty to apply to God by faithful and fervent prayer, and we shall not find it in vain to do so. Three things the people of God here complain of:? I. The displeasure of God against them, as that which was the cause and bitterness of all their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. Formerly it was an honour to be employed in cutting down a tree for the building of the temple; but now so little regard was paid to it, that all its fine carved work, which Solomon made, 1 Kings 6:18 , was demolished at once in a rude and furious manner with axes and hammers; which was done either by the Chaldeans in Nebuchadnezzar's time, or by the Syrians in the times of Antiochus, or by the Romans in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 74:7

They have cast fire into thy sanctuary ,.... Or, "thy sanctuary into the fire" F15 באש מקדשך "in ignem sanctuaria tua", Pagninus, Vatablus; so Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. ; which denotes the utter destruction of it by fire, which was done both by the Chaldean and Roman armies; see 2 Kings 25:9 , they have defiled, by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground , or "to the earth they have defiled the habitation of thy name" F16 לארץ חללו משכן שמך ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 74:7

Verse 7 7.They have set fire to thy sanctuaries. The Psalmist now complains that the temple was burned, and thus completely razed and destroyed, whereas it was only half demolished by the instruments of war. Many have supposed that the order of the words has been here inverted, (224) not being able to perceive how a suitable meaning could be elicited from them, and therefore would resolve them thus, They have put fire into thy sanctuaries. I have, however, no doubt that the sense which I have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:1-23

In favour of the first is the ascription of the psalm in the "title" to Asaph. But all other considerations are against it. There is no evidence that Shishak ever entered Jerusalem. He certainly did not break down the carved work of the temple, or set the temple on fire, much less "cast it down to the ground." His invasion was a mere raid, and Rehoboam seems to have bought his retreat by the sacrifice of the temple treasury ( 2 Kings 14:25-28 ; 2 Chronicles 12:2-12 ). The circumstances... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:3-8

Hell's carnival. This is what is portrayed to us in these lamentations over the desecrations and destructions wreaked upon the temple at Jerusalem, probably at the time of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion (see 2 Chronicles 36:17 , etc.). As the destroyer acted then, so he acts now when the like work is on hand of profaning God's sanctuary. What the ancient temple was, the Church of God is—the sanctuary of God. And it has once and again come under the destroyer's power. I. THE TEMPLE IS... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. The "carved work" ( pittuchim ) of the temple consisted of the cherubim and palm trees and open flowers which formed the decoration of the temple walls (see 1 Kings 6:29 , where the same word, pittuchim, is used). This superficial carved work may have been broken down for the sake of the gold with which it was overlaid ( 1 Kings 6:22 , 1 Kings 6:32 , 1 Kings 6:35 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:7

They have cast tire into thy sanctuary; or, they have set thy sanctuary fire (Revised Version). The temple of Solomon was burnt by Nebuchadnezzar ( 2 Kings 25:9 ; 2 Chronicles 36:19 ). That of Zerubbabel was never burnt, but was entirely rebuilt, and on a much larger scale, by Herod the Great. That of Herod the Great was burnt in the siege by Titus. They have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy Name to the ground (comp. Lamentations 2:6 ; Lamentations 4:1 ). The very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 74:7-12

The destructive work of man and the constructive work of God. The prayer in Psalms 74:1 , Psalms 74:2 , to help the people sunk in the deepest misery, is followed by its basis or ground, which consists of a picture of this misery ( Psalms 74:3-9 ); the sanctuary is destroyed, and all traces of the presence of God among his people have disappeared. The short prayer in Psalms 74:10 , Psalms 74:11 seeks support and stay in the thought of the omnipotence of the God of Israel ( ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 74:6

But now they break down the carved work thereof ... - literally, “But now the carvings of it together, at once, with sledge and hammers they beat down.” The carved work refers evidently to the ornaments of the temple. The word used here - פתוח pittûach - is rendered engraving, carved work, or carving; Exodus 28:11, Exodus 28:21, Exodus 28:36; Exodus 39:6, Exodus 39:14, Exodus 39:30; Zechariah 3:9; 2 Chronicles 2:14. It is the very word which in 1 Kings 6:29 is applied to the ornaments around... read more

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