Psalms 74:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 74:18 is a poignant plea from the psalmist to the Lord, urging Him to remember the profound dishonor and contempt directed at His holy name by both external adversaries and those who foolishly reject divine wisdom. Amidst national devastation and the desecration of sacred spaces, this verse shifts the focus from the people's suffering to God's own glory and reputation, appealing for divine intervention based on the severe blasphemy committed against the Almighty. It underscores the deep conviction that offenses against God's people and sanctuary are ultimately direct affronts to God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 74 is a communal lament, one of the most intense in the Psalter, belonging to Book 2 (Psalms 42-72, 73-89). It is attributed to Asaph, a prominent choirmaster and seer. The psalm vividly describes a national catastrophe, likely the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the surrounding land by foreign invaders (e.g., the Babylonians in 586 BC, though some scholars suggest an earlier or later event). The preceding verses detail the invaders' destructive actions, particularly against the sanctuary, which they have "burned up" and "defiled" [Psalm 74:3-8](/psalms/74-3 "Psalm 74:3-8 - Desolation of the Sanctuary"). The psalmist questions God's apparent absence and silence in the face of such devastation [Psalm 74:1](/psalms/74-1 "Psalm 74:1 - Why have you cast us off?"). Verse 18 marks a pivot in the lament, moving from a description of the calamity and a questioning of God's inaction to a direct appeal for divine remembrance and intervention, specifically highlighting the reproach and blasphemy against God's name as the primary motivation for Him to act.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 74 is a period of profound national crisis, most commonly identified with the Babylonian conquest and the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. For ancient Israel, the Temple was not merely a building but the dwelling place of God's presence, the center of their worship, and a symbol of God's covenant with His people. Its destruction was an unimaginable catastrophe, signifying not only military defeat but also a perceived abandonment by God, leading to immense shame and despair. In this cultural context, the "reproach" and "blasphemy" mentioned in the verse would have been particularly grievous. Foreign invaders often mocked the defeated nation's gods, viewing their victory as proof of their own deities' superiority. Such taunts were not just against Israel but were understood as direct insults to Yahweh, challenging His power, sovereignty, and very existence. The "foolish people" could refer to these foreign adversaries or, perhaps, to apostate elements within Israel who had abandoned God's ways, further compounding the national disgrace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 74 and the broader biblical narrative. The central theme is **Divine Remembrance and Justice**, where the psalmist implores God to "remember" not out of forgetfulness, but as a call to active intervention and judgment against those who have dishonored Him. This aligns with the biblical concept of God's unwavering commitment to His own glory and His righteous character, which demands a response to such affronts. The verse also highlights the theme of **God's Holy Name and Reputation**, emphasizing that the enemy's actions are not just against Israel but directly against God's sacred name. The very essence of God's being and character is tied to His name, and its desecration is the ultimate offense. This resonates with the call for God to "arise" and "plead your own cause" found later in the psalm [Psalm 74:22](/psalms/74-22 "Psalm 74:22 - Arise, O God, plead your own cause"). Finally, the concept of the **"Foolish People"** introduces the theme of moral and spiritual depravity. In biblical wisdom literature, a "fool" is not intellectually deficient but morally corrupt, one who rejects God's truth and authority, as famously stated in [Psalm 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "Psalm 14:1 - The Fool Says There Is No God"). Their blasphemy is a manifestation of this willful rebellion against divine wisdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reproached (Hebrew, _ḥārap̱_):** This verb carries the strong connotation of taunting, defying, insulting, or shaming, often in a public and humiliating manner. It implies a deliberate act of scorn and contempt, particularly directed at someone's honor or reputation. In the context of Psalm 74:18, it refers to the enemies' verbal and perhaps physical actions that brought disgrace upon God's people and, by extension, upon God Himself. It's a direct challenge to God's authority and power.
* **Blasphemed (Hebrew, _nāʾaṣ_):** This word signifies to spurn, despise, show utter contempt for, or treat with irreverence. When applied to God, it means to revile, scorn, or actively dishonor His name and character. It suggests a more profound and active rejection of God's holiness and sovereignty than _ḥārap̱_. The "foolish people" are not merely ignorant; they are actively contemptuous of the divine.
* **Foolish (Hebrew, _nābāl_):** This adjective describes a person who is morally and spiritually senseless, lacking wisdom and understanding of God's ways. It's not primarily about intellectual capacity but about a hardened heart that rejects divine truth and acts impiously. The _nābāl_ is characterized by a practical atheism, living as if God does not exist or does not matter, leading to contemptible actions and blasphemy against God's name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD":** The opening imperative "Remember" is not a call for God to recall forgotten information, but a fervent plea for Him to act decisively based on His knowledge. It's an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and His commitment to His own glory. The psalmist brings before God the specific offense: the "reproach" (taunting, shaming) carried out by "the enemy." This highlights that the suffering of God's people is inextricably linked to the dishonor brought upon God's name by His adversaries. The direct address "O LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes the personal, covenantal relationship and the ultimate authority to whom the appeal is made.
* **"and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name":** This clause introduces a second, equally grievous offense: the "blasphemy" (utter contempt, reviling) of God's "name" by "the foolish people." The "name" of God in Hebrew thought represents His very essence, character, and reputation. To blaspheme God's name is to attack His holiness, power, and sovereignty directly. The "foolish people" are those who, through moral depravity and spiritual blindness, willfully reject God and act with open irreverence towards Him, further compounding the affront to divine honor.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 74:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Lament**, as the verse is a direct address within a broader psalm of communal sorrow and appeal. The psalmist uses a direct **Appeal to Divine Honor**, shifting the focus from the people's suffering to the direct affront against God's name, thereby invoking God's righteous character as the basis for intervention. The use of "Remember" is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action (remembering) to God, not to imply forgetfulness but to emphasize the psalmist's desire for God to act decisively. The actions of "the enemy" and "the foolish people" are presented with stark **Contrast** to God's holiness and justice, highlighting the severity of their offenses. There is also an element of **Rhetorical Question** implicitly underlying the lament: "How long, O God, will the adversary scoff?" [Psalm 74:10](/psalms/74-10 "Psalm 74:10 - How long will the adversary scoff?"), which verse 18 answers by providing a reason for God to act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 74:18 profoundly articulates the biblical principle that offenses against God's people and His sanctuary are ultimately offenses against God Himself, particularly His holy name. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His own glory and His righteous character, which demands a response to such affronts. It reveals that human sin, especially in the form of reproach and blasphemy, is not merely a moral failing but a direct assault on the divine nature. The psalmist's plea for God to "remember" is a theological statement of trust in God's active justice and His ultimate vindication of His name in the face of human rebellion and evil. This deep concern for God's honor serves as a model for believers, reminding us that our ultimate grievance in times of suffering and injustice should be the dishonor brought upon God's name.

* [Psalm 9:7](/psalms/9-7 "The Lord sits enthroned forever")
* [Psalm 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'")
* [Ezekiel 36:20-23](/ezekiel/36-20-23 "God's Name Profaned Among the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 74:18 serves as a powerful reminder for believers to bring their deepest laments and the dishonor done to God's name before Him in earnest prayer. In a world where God's name is often mocked, His truth denied, and His people persecuted, this verse calls us to grieve not only for our own suffering but, more profoundly, for the reproach and blasphemy directed at the Almighty. It encourages us to appeal to God's character, trusting that He is sovereign and will ultimately vindicate His holy name and His righteous cause. Even in times of great distress and apparent defeat, our faith is anchored in God's unwavering commitment to His own glory and His ultimate justice. We are called to stand for God's truth and honor, even when it means facing opposition, knowing that our ultimate hope rests in His active remembrance and intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's concern for God's name challenge my own priorities when I face suffering or injustice?**
* **In what ways do I see God's name being reproached or blasphemed in the world today, and how should I respond?**
* **What does it mean for God to "remember" in the context of this psalm, and how does that understanding strengthen my prayer life?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper reverence for God's name in my daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Who are "the enemy" and "the foolish people" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The enemy" most likely refers to the foreign invaders, such as the Babylonians, who destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, bringing immense shame and desolation upon Israel. Their actions, including the desecration of sacred spaces and the taunting of the defeated nation, were seen as a direct affront to God. "The foolish people" (Hebrew: _am nabal_) refers to those who are morally and spiritually depraved, characterized by a willful rejection of God's truth and wisdom. While it could refer to the foreign invaders in their spiritual ignorance, it might also encompass any individuals—even within Israel—who show contempt for God's ways, as seen in [Psalm 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "The Fool Says There Is No God"), where "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Both groups, whether external adversaries or internal apostates, share in the act of dishonoring God's name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 74:18, with its lament over the reproach and blasphemy against God's name, finds its ultimate fulfillment and answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself endured profound reproach and blasphemy. He was scorned by religious leaders, mocked by soldiers, and ultimately crucified as a blasphemer [Mark 14:64](/mark/14-64 "Mark 14:64 - Jesus Accused of Blasphemy"). The taunts hurled at Him on the cross—"He saved others; himself he cannot save!" [Matthew 27:42](/matthew/27-42 "Matthew 27:42 - Taunts at the Cross")—were the ultimate reproach against God's Anointed One. Yet, it was through this very suffering and apparent defeat that God's name was ultimately vindicated and glorified. Jesus' death on the cross, the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, atoned for the very sin of blasphemy and rebellion that dishonors God's name. His resurrection from the dead was God's resounding "remembrance" and vindication, demonstrating His power over sin and death, and exalting the name of Jesus "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named" [Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20-21 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ Exalted Above All Names"). Through Christ, God's name is not only defended but glorified, and all who believe in Him are brought into a relationship where God's name is hallowed, not blasphemed [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow").

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

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

¶ 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,