We believe that the writer of Psalm 74 is a descendant of the Asaph that David had
appointed to lead the worship in the tabernacle during his reign, which was from
1000 B.C. to 960 B.C. After the reign of Solomon, David’s son, the kingdom of
Israel fell apart, and for the most part had one bad king after another who lead
the people into idolatry and sinful living. They still had Solomon’s temple and
all the trappings of religion outwardly. They acknowledged and worship God with
their mouths, but their hearts were far from Him.
God sent prophet after prophet to warn them that He was going to punished them if
they didn’t repent. But they refused to listen or repent. Jeremiah the prophet,
one of the last prophets just before the captivity, prophesied specifically
that at this point there was no longer any reason to fight the Babylonians, because
they would be going into captivity for seventy years. His prophecy was fulfilled
in 587-86 B.C. when the Babylonian army invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the temple
and the city.
This is when the descendant of Asaph, a man with the same name, wrote this Psalm. He
begins by looking around and describing the terrible destruction of the land
and the temple. His heart is broken as he sees the enemy take their pagan
banners into the temple and desecrate it. (v. 4). He moans over the fact that
the prophets are gone, and no one is telling them how long this destruction
will last (v. 9). It appears the God has totally forsaken His people and is
Himself silent. So, Asaph cries out for God to wake up and “take His hand
out of his bosom” or His garment and arise and destroy the enemy (v. 11).
When we come to verse 12 something changes!
Verse 12 is the central verse of the Psalm and the turning point in
Asaph's experience. He lifted his eyes by faith from the burning ruins of the
earthly temple of God in Jerusalem to the holy throne of God in the heavens and
received a new perspective on the situation. You might remember that the Asaph
who wrote Psalm 73 had a similar experience. His was more personal one as he found
himself envious of the ungodly people who prospered while the godly and righteous
people suffered. But it all changed for him when he went into the sanctuary (Psalm
73:17).
When this Asaph of Psalm 74 quit looking around at all the terrible destruction
happening, and began to look up, he acknowledged that no matter how
discouraging his situation was, God was still on the throne and had not
abdicated His authority to the Babylonians. Jeremiah came to the same
conclusion in Lam. 5:19. In these verses, 12-17, you can’t help but notice the
repetition of the “You" pronoun in this paragraph.
Asaph remembered that God brings "salvations" (plural) on the earth
(v. 12)! Asaph then reviewed the
"salvation works" of God in the past. How the Lord orchestrated
Israel's exodus and the defeat of the "monster" Egypt (vv. 13-14; Ex.
12-15). How God opened up the Red Sea. How God provided water in the wilderness
(15a; Ex. 17; Num. 20), and opened the Jordan River so Israel could enter
Canaan (15b; Josh. 3-4).
Asaph even reached back to creation (v. 16; Gen. 1-2) and the assignment of territory
to the nations (v. 17a; Gen. 10-11; Acts 17:26). He concludes this statement
with “You have made summer and winter” (v. 17b). Summer is the warm,
comfortable time of rain and fruitfulness! A time of plenty and blessing! But
the same God who made the summer also made the “winter”. A time of biting
cold and storms, trials and tribulation! The sun does not shine much, and everything
seems to have died. But that is the time the plants are growing their roots
deeper into the soil so they will be more fruitful in the summer.
My friend, during your time of pain and suffering, remember that God is still a
mighty God! He is a mighty King! He has a purpose for the “winter” times
as well as the “summer” times! So, when the outlook is bleak, try the
uplook like Asaph did and be encouraged!
God
bless!
