Too Late: A Cry for Mercy, and an Appeal to God’s Sovereignty (Psalm 74)

In his cry to the LORD, the psalmist recounted how Judah’s enemies had destroyed the Temple with axes and “cast fire into [God’s] sanctuary… and burned up all the synagogues of God in the land” (Psalm 74:5-8). It seemed the LORD had abandoned His people, for there were no signs of His presence among them and “no more any prophet” (Psalm 74:9). The people cried out, “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?” (Psalm 74:10). Despite the prophets’ warnings, the nation did not understand why the LORD had withdrawn His right hand (His power and protection), and they prayed that He would “pluck it out” and save them (Psalm 74:11). 

(We are not much different. When we find ourselves in trials and afflictions, we, too, are tempted to question God and wonder, why? Why all the sorrows? Where is God’s mercy and grace?)

Reflecting on God’s Sovereignty (Psalm 74:12-17)

Psalm 74:12 marks a shift in the psalmist’s perspective, from sorrow and despair to faith and hope. He declared, “God is my King of old,” and affirmed that He had not abandoned His throne, for He was “working salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 74:12). The psalmist remembered the LORD’s past faithfulness, including how He had divided the Red Sea for Israel to pass through (Psalm 74:13; Exodus 14:1-22). 

Psalm 74:13b-14 likely presents a symbolic account of the LORD drowning Pharaoh and His army (“the dragons in the waters”), making them “meat” for the “people [or creatures] inhabiting the wilderness” (Psalm 74:14). Not only did the LORD defeat Egypt, but He also provided Israel with water in the wilderness (Psalm 74:15).

Remembering the majesty of Israel’s God, the psalmist was reminded that the LORD is the Creator who governs the sun’s rising and setting and the seasons, for He “made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:16-17).

Jealous for the LORD’s Name Among the Heathen (Psalm 74:18-23)

The psalmist reminded the LORD that the sorrows and afflictions endured by Israel and Judah had given the enemy cause to scorn and blaspheme His name (Psalm 74:18). He prayed that the LORD would not forsake or forget “the congregation” and would “have respect unto the covenant” (Psalm 74:19-20). Jealous for his people, the psalmist prayed for the LORD to deliver them from trouble, saying, “O let not the oppressed return ashamed: Let the poor and needy praise thy name” (Psalm 74:21).

Psalm 74 concludes with the psalmist calling on the LORD, saying, “Arise, O God,” not only for His people but also for His “own cause” and His name’s sake (Psalm 74:22-23).

Closing thoughts –

Perhaps no idiom in the English language is more tragic than the words “Too Late.” As we reflect on our recent study of Jeremiah’s prophecies, we know it was too late for Judah to repent of its sins and turn to the LORD. Nevertheless, the LORD is just and merciful. He did give His people their due reward because they had broken their covenant with Him. Yet He did not forget them and promised to restore them to their land when seventy years of captivity were accomplished (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10; Daniel 9:2).