Psalms 74:11

KJV

Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

KJV (with Strong's)

Why withdrawest {H7725}{H8686)} thou thy hand {H3027}, even thy right hand {H3225}? pluck {H3615}{H8761)} it out of {H7130} thy bosom {H2436}{H8675)}{H2436}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Why do you hold back your hand? Draw your right hand from your coat, and finish them off!

Berean Standard Bible

Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!

American Standard Version

Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? Pluck itout of thy bosom and consume them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 74:11 is a poignant and urgent communal lament, voiced amidst profound national devastation and the desecration of God's sanctuary. The psalmist, representing a suffering people, directly challenges God's apparent inactivity and perceived withdrawal, pleading for Him to unleash His formidable power. This verse encapsulates the agonizing tension between the reality of overwhelming suffering and the unwavering, though struggling, faith in God's ultimate sovereignty, His capacity to intervene, and His covenant faithfulness to His people and His own honor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 74 belongs to the collection of "Asaphic" psalms (Psalms 73-83), which are often characterized by communal laments, theological wrestling with divine justice, and the problem of evil and suffering. It is situated within Book II of the Psalter (Psalms 42-72), a section frequently exploring themes of exile, divine absence, and the yearning for restoration. The verses immediately preceding [Psalm 74:11](/psalms/74-11 "Psalm 74:11 - Why Withdrawest Thou Thy Hand?") paint a vivid and harrowing picture of the enemy's destructive rampage, specifically detailing the burning and desecration of God's sanctuary (e.g., [Psalm 74:3-8](/psalms/74-3-8 "Psalm 74:3-8 - Desecration of the Sanctuary")). The psalmist's desperate cry in verse 11 serves as a pivotal turning point, shifting from a lamenting description of the catastrophe to a direct, impassioned appeal for God's active intervention. The psalm then transitions to a powerful recollection of God's mighty acts in creation and history (e.g., [Psalm 74:12-17](/psalms/74-12-17 "Psalm 74:12-17 - God's Mighty Acts in Creation")), appealing to His unchanging character and covenant faithfulness as the basis for His renewed and decisive action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical backdrop is debated among scholars, the detailed descriptions of the Temple's destruction and the widespread national humiliation strongly point to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. This event represented an unparalleled theological and existential crisis for ancient Israel, as the Temple was not merely a building but the very dwelling place of Yahweh, symbolizing His presence, power, and covenant with His people. Its destruction raised profound questions about God's faithfulness, His ability to protect His own, and the validity of the covenant itself. The psalmist's lament profoundly reflects the deep cultural shock, spiritual bewilderment, and collective trauma of a people whose core understanding of God's relationship with them had been shattered. The anthropomorphic imagery of God's "right hand" and "bosom" would have resonated deeply within a cultural context where physical gestures and bodily postures conveyed significant meaning regarding power, authority, rest, and active engagement.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 74:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Inaction and Silence**, where God's apparent passivity in the face of overwhelming suffering and injustice is directly challenged. This leads directly to the **Plea for Intervention**, as the psalmist, despite questioning, persistently appeals for God to act decisively and restore His honor. Underlying this anguished lament is an enduring, albeit struggling, belief in **God's Sovereign Power**, acknowledging that God possesses the inherent ability to act, which makes His perceived current inaction all the more perplexing and painful. This echoes similar cries for God's powerful arm to awaken, as seen in [Isaiah 51:9](/isaiah/51-9 "Isaiah 51:9 - Awake, Awake, Put on Strength, O Arm of the Lord"). The psalm also profoundly engages with the **Problem of Evil and Suffering**, wrestling with why a just, powerful, and covenant-keeping God would permit such devastation, a theme explored extensively throughout the wisdom literature and prophetic books (e.g., [Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk 1:2-4 - Habakkuk's Lament")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **withdrawest (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This verb (H7725) primarily means "to turn back," "to return," or "to restore." In this context, it denotes a deliberate act of God holding back His power or turning away from active intervention. It implies a cessation of expected action, a state of rest or disengagement, which the psalmist finds utterly perplexing and unbearable given the dire circumstances. The psalmist perceives God as having retreated from the scene of battle.
* **right hand (Hebrew, _yâmîyn'_):** In biblical symbolism, the "right hand" (H3225) universally represents strength, power, authority, and often, the active manifestation of God's deliverance or judgment. It is consistently depicted as the hand of action, might, and triumph. The psalmist's specific mention of the "right hand" intensifies the plea, emphasizing that it is God's most potent and dexterous attribute, the very instrument of His sovereign power, that seems to be withheld.
* **bosom (Hebrew, _chêyq'_):** This term (H2436) refers to the lap or the fold of a garment over the chest, often implying a place of intimacy, rest, or security. Here, it metaphorically suggests a state of inactivity, concealment, or even comfort from which God is urgently implored to emerge. To "pluck it out of thy bosom" is a vivid anthropomorphic image of rousing oneself from a state of repose to engage in decisive, forceful action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why withdrawest thou thy hand":** This opening clause is a direct, anguished rhetorical question, expressing profound bewilderment, pain, and a sense of abandonment. It implies a prior expectation or experience of God's active involvement, which is now conspicuously absent. The psalmist is not questioning God's *ability* to act, but rather His *willingness* or *timing* in the face of the present, overwhelming crisis.
* **"even thy right hand?":** This phrase serves to intensify the preceding question. By specifying the "right hand," the psalmist highlights that it is God's most powerful, effective, and decisive instrument of intervention that appears to be held back. It underscores the severity of the perceived divine inaction and the desperate need for God's strongest display of power.
* **"pluck [it] out of thy bosom.":** This is an imperative command, a desperate and bold plea for God to cease His apparent passivity and unleash His might. The imagery is highly anthropomorphic, depicting God as someone resting or holding back His immense power close to Himself, and being urged to release it forcefully and decisively. It is a passionate cry for God to manifest His power openly, effectively, and without delay.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 74:11 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent and deeply emotional message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Why withdrawest thou thy hand..."), which is not posed to elicit information but to express profound distress, bewilderment, and a desperate plea. This question underscores the psalmist's agonizing struggle with God's perceived silence and apparent inactivity in the face of overwhelming national suffering. **Anthropomorphism** is heavily utilized, attributing human actions and body parts to God ("thy hand," "thy right hand," "thy bosom," "pluck it out"). This makes God's actions (or lack thereof) relatable and the plea more visceral and immediate, grounding the divine in human experience. The repetition and intensification from "hand" to "right hand" serves as a form of **Emphasis** or **Intensification**, highlighting the specific attribute of God's power—His most potent and active might—that the psalmist yearns to see unleashed. Finally, the entire verse functions as a powerful **Lament**, a genre of psalm that expresses profound sorrow, complaint, and petition to God in times of distress, often questioning divine justice or presence, yet ultimately rooted in a deep, if struggling, faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 74:11 stands as a profound testament to the biblical tradition of honest lament, demonstrating unequivocally that authentic faith does not preclude wrestling with God's apparent silence or inaction in the face of immense suffering. It courageously grapples with the tension between God's revealed power and His perceived withdrawal, a theological paradox that has challenged believers across generations. The psalmist's raw cry is not a sign of unbelief, but rather a deep, passionate expression of faith that God is indeed sovereign, omnipotent, and capable of intervention, even when His ways are inscrutable. This verse encourages believers to bring their raw emotions, their pain, their confusion, and their most difficult questions directly before God, trusting that He hears and that His character remains just and faithful, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It underscores the vital importance of persistent prayer and the enduring hope in God's ultimate vindication of His name and the restoration of His people.

* [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?")
* [Habakkuk 1:2](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1:2 - How Long, O Lord?")
* [Isaiah 59:1](/isaiah/59-1 "Isaiah 59:1 - The Lord's Hand Is Not Shortened")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 74:11 offers profound spiritual nourishment and validation for those navigating periods of intense suffering, injustice, or apparent divine silence. It grants permission, even encouragement, to voice our deepest anguish, bewilderment, and confusion directly to God. The psalmist's raw honesty reminds us that authentic faith is not a denial of pain or doubt, but a willingness to bring those very struggles into God's presence, believing that He is robust enough to handle our questions and compassionate enough to hear our cries. This verse teaches us the vital practice of persistent lament, urging us to continue appealing to God even when answers are slow in coming or His presence feels distant. It challenges us to hold onto the truth of God's power and unchanging character, even when our circumstances seem to contradict it, fostering a deeper trust that He will ultimately act in His perfect timing and according to His righteous purposes, vindicating His name and bringing about restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalm 74:11 validate our own honest struggles with God's apparent silence or inaction in our personal lives or in the world around us?**
* **What does "plucking God's hand out of His bosom" mean for our prayer life when facing overwhelming personal or communal circumstances that demand divine intervention?**
* **In what ways does this lament ultimately express a deep and enduring faith in God's power and character, despite the questioning and perceived divine withdrawal?**

### FAQ
**Is it wrong to question God's actions or apparent inaction?**

Answer: No, the Bible, particularly the Psalms and prophetic books, models and validates honest lament and questioning directed at God. The psalmist in [Psalms 74:11](/psalms/74-11 "Psalm 74:11 - Why Withdrawest Thou Thy Hand?"), much like Job in the book of [Job](/job "The Book of Job") or the prophet Habakkuk (e.g., [Habakkuk 1:2](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1:2 - How long, O Lord?")), brings his deepest confusion and pain before God. This is distinct from rebellious or cynical questioning; rather, it is an expression of profound faith that God is present, hears, and is capable of responding. It demonstrates a belief in God's sovereignty and a desperate desire for His intervention, even when His ways are inscrutable or His timing seems delayed.

**What is the significance of the "right hand" of God in the Bible?**

Answer: The "right hand" of God consistently symbolizes His active power, strength, authority, and often, salvation or deliverance. Throughout Scripture, it is associated with mighty acts, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (e.g., [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Right Hand of the Lord")), the establishment of His kingdom, and the triumph over enemies. It signifies God's executive power and His ability to bring about His purposes. When the psalmist pleads for God to "pluck out" His right hand, he is appealing for the full, irresistible manifestation of God's saving and conquering power to be unleashed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 74:11, with its anguished cry for God to unleash His powerful "right hand" from a state of perceived inactivity, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist laments God's apparent withdrawal, the New Testament reveals that God's "right hand" was never truly withdrawn, but was, in fact, perfectly at work in sending His Son. Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God's active power and presence, the one through whom all things were created and are sustained (e.g., [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God"), [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). The most striking fulfillment comes at the cross, where Jesus himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoing the lament of the psalmist and experiencing the ultimate perceived divine withdrawal on behalf of humanity. Yet, in that moment of deepest darkness, God's "right hand" was paradoxically most active, accomplishing the salvation of the world. The resurrection and ascension of Christ, where He is seated at the "right hand of God" ([Psalm 110:1](/psalms/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord Says to My Lord, Sit at My Right Hand"), [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ at the Right Hand of God"), [Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")), demonstrate that God's power is not withdrawn but eternally active through His Son, who intercedes for us, reigns supreme, and will ultimately return to bring final justice and restoration. Thus, the desperate plea of Psalms 74:11 is answered in Christ, who is God's powerful hand stretched out for our redemption and ultimate triumph.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Lamentations 2:3

He hath cut off in [his] fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, [which] devoureth round about.

Psalms 44:23

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.

Isaiah 64:12

Wilt thou refrain thyself for these [things], O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Psalms 78:66

And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.