Psalms 74:1

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? ³  Why does your anger burn ⁴  against the sheep of your pasture?

A maskil of Asaph. Why have you rejected us for ever, O God? Why does your anger smoulder against the sheep of your pasture?

<<A Maskil of Asaph.>> O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

<<A psalm of Asaph.>> O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?

You walked off and left us, and never looked back. God, how could you do that? We're your very own sheep; how can you stomp off in anger?

<Maschil. Of Asaph.> Of God, why have you put us away from you for ever? why is the fire of your wrath smoking against the sheep who are your care?

O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?

<<A Contemplation of Asaph.>> O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? ³  Why does your anger burn ⁴  against the sheep of your pasture?

¹ sn Psalm 74. The psalmist, who has just experienced the devastation of the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 b.c., asks God to consider Israel’s sufferings and intervene on behalf of his people. He describes the ruined temple, recalls God’s mighty deeds in the past, begs for mercy, and calls for judgment upon God’s enemies.

² tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.

³ sn The psalmist does not really believe God has permanently rejected his people or he would not pray as he does in this psalm. But this initial question reflects his emotional response to what he sees and is overstated for the sake of emphasis. The severity of divine judgment gives the appearance that God has permanently abandoned his people.

⁴ tn Heb “smoke.” The picture is that of a fire that continues to smolder.