Psalms 74:7-12 - Homilies By C. Short

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 ( Psalms 74:12-17 ). The prayer is renewed at the close in an expanded form ( Genesis 17:7 , Genesis 17:8 ). It shows how the Church of God and individual believers are to conduct themselves in times when everything appears to be lost and to lie in ruins. The whole psalm may suggest two general points for consideration— the destructive work of man, and the constructive work of God.

I. THE DESTRUCTIVE WORK OF MAN . ( Psalms 74:3-9 .) The enemy had destroyed everything in the sanctuary, and burnt up the holy place itself. Look at some destructive work in our day.

1 . The material tendencies of physical science. Leading to a denial of God and immortality, and striking at the foundation of morals by denying the freedom of man's nature. Ideas destructive, as well as conduct.

2 . The critical spirit which is abroad. A spirit of denial, almost universally pulling down, and not building up. This and that not true—in history and creed.

3 . The selfish spirit, wherever it rules, is destructive. In politics and commerce, and in our social relations—tending to antagonism and separation, and breaking all law—moral, Divine, and social.

4 . The absence of true prophets — inspired men — is also a sign of the destructive process. ( Psalms 74:9 .) The true prophet is the constructor, and not the destroyer; the inspirer, and not the critic.

II. THE CONSTRUCTIVE WORK OF GOD .

1 . God ' s greatest work of old was redemptive. ( Psalms 74:12-15 .) "For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." His work in Christ is reconstructive, building men up after the highest pattern. Christ came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

2 . His work in the physical creation is constructive. ( Psalms 74:16 , Psalms 74:17 .) He prepared the light and the sun, made summer and winter. The same mind ordained and continues the precious seasons as ordained the laws and works of redemption.

3 . God ' s covenant is a covenant of salvation. ( Psalms 74:20 .) And the world is still in urgent need of redemption. "The dark places," etc.

4 . The work of redemption is God ' s own —" his own cause. " ( Psalms 74:22 ). And therefore he will not abandon it. We can therefore pray as the psalmist did.—S.