Psalms 74:18

ยถ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

Remember {H2142}{H8798)} this, that the enemy {H341}{H8802)} hath reproached {H2778}{H8765)}, O LORD {H3068}, and that the foolish {H5036} people {H5971} have blasphemed {H5006}{H8765)} thy name {H8034}.

Remember how the enemy scoffs at ADONAI, how a brutish people insults your name.

Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.

Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Jehovah, And that a foolish people hath blasphemed thy name.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 74 is a communal lament, a heartfelt cry to God during a time of immense national catastrophe, most likely the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by foreign invaders, such as the Babylonians. The psalmist, Asaph, vividly describes the desecration of the sanctuary and the oppression of God's people (see Psalm 74:3-8). In this verse, Psalm 74:18, the prayer shifts from describing the devastation to appealing directly to God's character and honor, urging Him to remember the insults hurled against Him by His adversaries.

Meaning of the Verse

Verse 18 is a fervent plea to the Lord to acknowledge and act upon the grave offenses committed against His name. The psalmist implores God to "Remember this," not merely the suffering of His people, but the direct reproach and blasphemy aimed at God Himself. "The enemy hath reproached" refers to the scorn, taunts, and humiliation directed at God's people, which is seen as a direct affront to God. Furthermore, "the foolish people have blasphemed thy name" highlights the open contempt and irreverence shown towards the Almighty by those who reject His wisdom and authority. This is a powerful appeal for divine intervention based on God's own glory and reputation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Remembrance and Justice: The core of the plea is for God to "remember." This isn't a call for God to recall forgotten information, but to actively intervene based on His knowledge and justice. The psalmist appeals to God's commitment to His own glory and His righteous character, urging Him to respond to the dishonor. This echoes calls for divine judgment found elsewhere, such as Psalm 9:7.
  • Reproach and Blasphemy Against God's Name: The verse emphasizes that the enemy's actions are not just against Israel, but directly against God's holy name. "Reproached" (Hebrew: charaph) means to insult, defy, or scorn, while "blasphemed" (Hebrew: na'ats) signifies to spurn, despise, or show contempt for. These terms highlight the severe nature of the offense, which targets God's very essence and reputation.
  • The Nature of the "Foolish People": The term "foolish people" (Hebrew: am nabal) does not primarily denote a lack of intelligence, but rather a moral and spiritual depravity. These are individuals who willfully reject God's truth and wisdom, often acting impiously or contemptuously towards Him. This concept is famously expressed in Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "reproached" is charaph (ื—ึธืจึทืฃ), which carries the strong connotation of taunting, defying, or shaming, often in a public and humiliating manner. The word for "blasphemed" is na'ats (ื ึธืึทืฅ), meaning to spurn, despise, or show utter contempt, especially for God or sacred things. Together, these terms powerfully convey the depth of the irreverence and the direct assault on God's honor. The "foolish people" are described using nabal (ื ึธื‘ึธืœ), which points to a moral senselessness and spiritual emptiness that leads to such contemptible actions.

Practical Application

Psalm 74:18 encourages believers to bring their deepest laments and the dishonor done to God's name before Him in earnest prayer. It reminds us that when God's people suffer or His name is slandered in the world, it is ultimately an affront to God Himself. This verse reinforces our faith in God's ultimate justice and His unwavering commitment to His own glory. Even in times of great distress and apparent defeat, we can appeal to God's character, trusting that He will indeed "remember" and act to vindicate His holy name and His righteous cause. It calls us to grieve not just for our own suffering, but for the dishonor brought upon God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 39:8

    Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

  • Deuteronomy 32:6

    Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? [is] not he thy father [that] hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

  • Revelation 16:19

    And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

  • Deuteronomy 32:27

    Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, [and] lest they should say, Our hand [is] high, and the LORD hath not done all this.

  • Ezekiel 20:14

    But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

  • Psalms 74:22

    Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

  • Isaiah 62:6

    ยถ I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
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