This psalm has three sections.  First (v.1-11), the psalmist describes the destruction of the temple and cries for God’s deliverance.  Second (v.12-17), he expounds on the greatness of God as the “King of old.”  Third (v.18-23), he calls on God to remember the evils that have been done to God and His people.

What Does It Say?

1. Israel is referred to as the _______ of God’s inheritance who God has ___________.
2. The wicked have __________ by casting down the dwelling place or God’s _________ to the ground.
3. God has broken the heads of ______________ in pieces.
4. The psalmist pleads for the Lord not to deliver the soul of his ________________ to the multitude of the wicked.
5. The _________ places of the earth are full of the habitations of _____________.

What Does It Mean?

1. When the wicked defiled the congregations of God, “they set up their ensigns for signs” (v.4).  Ensigns usually refer to banners; often the banners armies follow into battle.  What do you think it means that the enemies of Israel replaced their signs with ensigns?
2. Most Bible scholars teach that the Jewish people did not develop synagogues until after the completion of the Old Testament.  Yet this passage states that “they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land” (v.8).  The question is, Did groups of Jews who were too far from Jerusalem for frequent visits regularly meet for times of prayer and instruction?  Carefully read 2 Kings 4:23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
   See All..., Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
   See All... and Acts 15:21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
   See All....  See if you can build a case for Old Testament synagogues.
3. The psalmist tells the Lord, “thou hast prepared the light and the sun” (v.16).  What is the difference between the light and the sun?  How does this distinction compare with the days of the creation week in the first chapter of Genesis?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. After the psalmist spends eleven verses describing the defilement of Israel and bemoans the lack of deliverance from the Lord, he suddenly switches emphasis in verse twelve.  He takes six verses praising God for His mighty works in the past.  He describes God as “my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” (v.12). Why do you think he does this?  How can we apply this principle to our own relationship with God?
2. As one of his final arguments for deliverance, the psalmist declares, “Arise, O God, plead thine own cause” (v.22).  Is there a way for us to put this approach into practice in our own prayer life?  Why is this a good approach?

Suggested Memory Verses

Psalm 74:12For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
See All...; Psalm 74:16The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
See All...; Psalm 74:22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
See All...