TRV
Translation
King James Version
O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
KJV (with Strong's)
O deliver H5414 H8799 not the soul H5315 of thy turtledove H8449 unto the multitude H2416 of the wicked: forget H7911 H8799 not the congregation H2416 of thy poor H6041 for ever H5331.
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't hand over the soul of your dove to wild beasts, don't forget forever the life of your poor.
Berean Standard Bible
Do not deliver the soul of Your dove to beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted forever.
American Standard Version
Oh deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove unto the wild beast: Forget not the life of thy poor for ever.
World English Bible Messianic
Don’t deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don’t forget the life of your poor forever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Giue not the soule of thy turtle doue vnto the beast, and forget not the Congregation of thy poore for euer.
Young's Literal Translation
Give not up to a company, The soul of Thy turtle-dove, The company of Thy poor ones forget not for ever.
In the KJVVerse 15,068 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 74 verses 18–23
18 ¶ Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.
19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
20 Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.
23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
The psalmist here, in the name of the church, most earnestly begs that God would appear fro them against their enemies, and put an end to their present troubles. To encourage his own faith, he interests God in this matter (Psa 74:22): Arise, O God! plead thy own cause. This we may be sure he will do, for he is jealous for his own honour; whatever is his own cause he will plead it with a strong hand, will appear against those that oppose it and with and for those that cordially espouse it. He will arise and plead it, though for a time he seems to neglect it; he will stir up himself, will manifest himself, will do his own work in his own time. Note, The cause of religion is God's own cause and he will certainly plead it. Now, to make it out that the cause is God's, he pleads,
I. That the persecutors are God's sworn enemies: "Lord, they have not only abused us, but they have been, and are, abusive to thee; what is done against us, for thy sake, does, by consequence, reflect upon thee. But that is not all; they have directly and immediately reproached thee, and blasphemed thy name," Psa 74:18. This was that which they roared in the sanctuary; they triumphed as if they had now got the mastery of the God is Israel, of whom they had heard such great things. As nothing grieves the saints more than to hear God's name blasphemed, so nothing encourages them more to hope that God will appear against their enemies than when they have arrived at such a pitch of wickedness as to reproach God himself; this fills the measure of their sins apace and hastens their ruin. The psalmist insists much upon this: "We dare not answer their reproaches; Lord, do thou answer them. Remember that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name (Psa 74:18) and that still the foolish man reproaches thee daily." Observe the character of those that reproach God; they are foolish. As atheism is folly (Psa 14:1), profaneness and blasphemy are no less so. Perhaps those are cried up as the wits of the age that ridicule religion and sacred things; but really they are the greatest fools, and will shortly be made to appear so before all the world. And yet see their malice - They reproach God daily, as constantly as his faithful worshippers pray to him and praise him; see their impudence - They do not hide their blasphemous thoughts in their own bosoms, but proclaim them with a loud voice (forget not the voice of thy enemies, Psa 74:23), and this with a daring defiance of divine justice; they rise up against thee, and by their blasphemies even wage war with heaven and take up arms against the Almighty. Their noise and tumult ascend continually (so some), as the cry of Sodom came up before God, calling for vengeance, Gen 18:21. It increases continually (so we read it); they grow worse and worse, and are hardened in their impieties by their successes. Now, Lord, remember this; do not forget it. God needs not to be put in remembrance by us of what he has to do, but thus we must show our concern for his honour and believe that he will vindicate us.
II. That the persecuted are his covenant-people. 1. See what distress they are in. They have fallen into the hands of the multitude of the wicked, Psa 74:19. How are those increased that trouble them! There is no standing before an enraged multitude, especially like these, armed with power; and, as they are numerous, so they are barbarous: The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. The land of the Chaldeans, where there was none of the light of the knowledge of the true God (though otherwise it was famed for learning and arts), was indeed a dark place; the inhabitants of it were alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that was in them, and therefore they were cruel: where there was no true divinity there was scarcely to be found common humanity. They were especially cruel to the people of God; certainly those have no knowledge who eat them up, Psa 14:4. They are oppressed (Psa 74:21) because they are poor and unable to help themselves; they are oppressed, and so impoverished and made poor. 2. See what reason they had to hope that God would appear for their relief and not suffer them to be always thus trampled upon. Observe how the psalmist pleads with God for them. (1.) "It is thy turtle-dove that is ready to be swallowed up by the multitude of the wicked," Psa 74:19. The church is a dove for harmlessness and mildness, innocency and inoffensiveness, purity and fruitfulness, a dove for mournfulness in a day of distress, a turtle-dove for fidelity and the constancy of love: turtle-doves and pigeons were the only fowls that were offered in sacrifice to God. "Shall thy turtle-dove, that is true to thee and devoted to thy honour, be delivered, its life and soul and all, into the hand of the multitude of the wicked, to whom it will soon become an easy and acceptable prey? Lord, it will be thy honour to help the weak, especially to help thy own." (2.) "It is the congregation of thy poor, and they are not the less thine for their being poor (for God has chosen the poor of this world, Jam 2:5), but they have the more reason to expect thou wilt appear for them because they are many: it is the congregation of thy poor; let them not be abandoned and forgotten for ever." (3.) "They are in covenant with thee; and wilt thou not have respect unto the covenant? Psa 74:20. Wilt thou not perform the promises thou hast, in thy covenant, made to them? Wilt thou not own those whom thou hast brought into the bond of the covenant?" When God delivers his people it is in remembrance of his covenant, Lev 26:42. "Lord, though we are unworthy to be respected, yet have respect to the covenant." (4.) "They trust in thee, and boast of their relation to thee and expectations from thee. O let not them return ashamed of their hope (Psa 74:21), as they will be if they be disappointed." (5.) "If thou deliver them, they will praise thy name and give thee the glory of their deliverance. Appear, Lord, for those that will praise thy name, against those that blaspheme it."
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–23. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 74
But what do you say, O Asaph, now in understanding? "Deliver not to the beasts a soul confessing to You" [Psalm 74:19]....To what beasts, save to those the heads whereof were broken in pieces upon the water? For the same devil is called, beast, lion, and dragon. Do not, he says, give to the Devil and his Angels a soul confessing to You. Let the serpent devour, if still I mind things earthly, if for things earthly I long, if still in the promises of the Old Testament, after the revealing of the New, I remain. But forasmuch as now I have laid down pride, and my own righteousness I will not acknowledge, but Your Grace; against me let proud beasts have no power. "The souls of Your poor forget Thou not unto the end." Rich we were, strong we were: but You have dried up the rivers of Etham: no longer we establish our own righteousness, but we acknowledge Your Grace; poor we are, hearken to Your beggars. Now we do not dare to lift our eyes to Heaven, but smiting our breasts we say, "O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." [Luke 18:13]
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 74:19 is a profound and desperate plea from the psalmist, likely representing the collective voice of a devastated Israel, for God to protect His vulnerable people. Employing the tender imagery of a "turtledove" to symbolize the defenseless community and contrasting it with the "multitude [of the wicked]" (more literally, "the beast of the afflicted"), the verse cries out for divine intervention and an enduring remembrance of God's covenant people amidst overwhelming national suffering and apparent abandonment. It is a fervent appeal to God's character as the faithful protector of the humble and oppressed.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 74 is a communal lament, one of the most poignant in the Psalter, expressing deep anguish over the desecration of God's sanctuary and the apparent abandonment of His people. The psalm opens with a direct address to God, questioning why He has seemingly rejected His flock forever, a sentiment powerfully captured in Psalms 74:1. It vividly describes the destruction of the Temple and holy places, as detailed in Psalms 74:3-8, the absence of prophetic signs, a lament found in Psalms 74:9, and the taunts of the enemy, as expressed in Psalms 74:10. Within this context of profound despair, verse 19 serves as a climactic, heartfelt petition, shifting from a description of suffering to a direct appeal. It urges God to act on behalf of His afflicted "congregation," appealing to His covenant faithfulness and power, which were previously celebrated in His cosmic acts of creation and deliverance, as recounted in Psalms 74:12-17.
Historical & Cultural Context: The psalm likely reflects a period of immense national distress, most commonly associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This event was not merely a military defeat but a theological catastrophe for Israel. The Temple was considered the dwelling place of God's presence (the Shekinah), and its destruction signified a profound rupture in the covenant relationship, raising existential questions about God's power and faithfulness. Culturally, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship and identity; its desecration was the ultimate humiliation and a profound challenge to their understanding of God's covenant promises. The "multitude [of the wicked]" refers to the foreign invaders (e.g., the Babylonian army) who acted with brutal, animalistic aggression, seeking to utterly destroy the Israelite nation and its spiritual foundations. The psalmist's cry for God to "remember" is deeply rooted in the covenantal understanding that God's remembrance implies His active intervention on behalf of His people, fulfilling His promises and demonstrating His steadfast love.
Key Themes: This verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in Psalm 74 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Divine Protection for the Vulnerable, portraying God's people as a defenseless "turtledove" in stark contrast to a predatory "beast," underscoring their utter dependence on divine intervention against overwhelming evil. Secondly, the core of the psalmist's prayer, "forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever," emphasizes God's Unfailing Remembrance and Covenant Faithfulness. This is an appeal to God's immutable character, urging Him to recall His promises and His chosen people, even when circumstances suggest His abandonment. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, as seen when God remembered Noah during the flood or when He remembered His covenant with Abraham. Lastly, the verse defines The Identity of God's People as "thy turtledove" and "thy poor." This emphasizes their humility, their lack of earthly power, and their status as those who rely solely on God's aid, making their plea for divine deliverance all the more urgent and profound.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 74:19 masterfully employs several Literary Devices to amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is Symbolism and Metaphor, primarily through the contrasting imagery of the "turtledove" and the "beast." The "turtledove" serves as a powerful Metaphor for the vulnerable, innocent, and defenseless people of God, evoking pathos and highlighting their utter dependence on divine protection. Conversely, the "beast of the afflicted" (translated as "multitude [of the wicked]") is a stark Metaphor for the brutal, predatory, and dehumanizing nature of the oppressors, emphasizing their destructive intent. This juxtaposition creates a vivid and emotionally charged scene, underscoring the severity of the threat and the urgency of the plea. The verse also utilizes Personification by referring to the "soul" of the turtledove, imbuing the symbolic representation of God's people with a sense of living vulnerability and the capacity for suffering. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a fervent Lament and Supplication, a direct and passionate appeal to God, characterized by its emotional intensity and direct address, which is a hallmark of the psalms of lament. The plea "forget not" is a form of Rhetorical Appeal, implicitly questioning God's apparent inaction while simultaneously appealing to His immutable character of faithfulness and His covenant promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 74:19 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's relationship with His people, particularly His unwavering commitment to the vulnerable and His covenant faithfulness. The psalmist's plea for God not to "forget" is rooted in the theological understanding that God's remembrance is not merely a cognitive act but an active, redemptive intervention. Even when circumstances suggest divine abandonment, the psalmist appeals to God's character as the protector of the oppressed and the keeper of His promises. This verse underscores the biblical theme that God identifies with the poor and afflicted, and their cries do not go unheard. It reflects the tension between God's apparent silence in suffering and His ultimate sovereignty and justice, a tension often explored in the wisdom literature and prophetic books. The imagery of the "turtledove" and the "beast" also foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle between God's kingdom and the forces of evil that seek to devour His people, a conflict ultimately resolved through divine power and faithfulness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 74:19 offers enduring lessons for believers navigating periods of profound adversity, whether personal or communal. It teaches us the importance of raw, honest prayer in distress, encouraging us to articulate our fears and deep need for God's intervention, even when His presence seems distant or His purposes unclear. The imagery of the "turtledove" reminds us of our own vulnerability in a fallen world and God's special concern for the weak, the oppressed, and those utterly dependent on Him. We are called to trust in His unfailing remembrance, appealing to His character and covenant faithfulness, knowing that He will not forget His people or His promises, even when circumstances are dire. This encourages perseverance in faith during trials and fosters a deep reliance on divine aid rather than human strength. Furthermore, the "congregation of thy poor" highlights the vital importance of communal solidarity and shared lament in times of suffering, reminding us that we are part of a collective body that can cry out to God together, finding strength and hope in shared faith and mutual support.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "turtledove" imagery in this verse?
Answer: The "turtledove" (Hebrew, tôwr) is highly significant as a symbol of gentleness, innocence, and vulnerability. In ancient Near Eastern culture and throughout the Bible, doves and turtledoves often represent purity and defenselessness. By likening His people to a turtledove, the psalmist emphasizes their utter helplessness against their powerful and brutal enemies, highlighting their desperate need for divine protection. It contrasts sharply with the "beast" imagery used for the oppressors, underscoring the vast disparity in power and the urgent nature of the plea for God's intervention. This imagery evokes deep pathos, appealing to God's compassion for His weak and exposed flock.
What does the phrase "multitude [of the wicked]" truly mean in the original Hebrew?
Answer: The King James Version's translation "multitude [of the wicked]" is an interpretive rendering. The literal Hebrew phrase is "חַיַּת עָנִי" (chayyat ‘ani), which means "the beast of the afflicted" or "the beast of the poor." This literal translation is crucial because it intensifies the contrast with the "turtledove." It portrays the oppressors not merely as a numerous crowd but as a savage, wild, and predatory animal that seeks to devour and destroy the vulnerable. This imagery emphasizes the brutal, dehumanizing, and destructive nature of the enemy, making the plea for deliverance all the more urgent and vivid. It speaks to the animalistic ferocity with which the invaders attacked God's people and sanctuary, highlighting the need for divine intervention against such overwhelming and merciless force.
How does Psalm 74:19 speak to believers experiencing suffering or oppression today?
Answer: Psalm 74:19 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers facing suffering or oppression in any era. Firstly, it validates the experience of feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, assuring us that it is permissible to cry out to God with raw honesty, even when His presence seems distant. Secondly, it reminds us that God has a special, compassionate concern for the weak, the poor, and the oppressed. He hears the cries of His "turtledove" people. Thirdly, it encourages us to appeal to God's unchanging character and covenant faithfulness, trusting that He will "not forget" His promises or His people, even when circumstances are dire. This verse is a powerful reminder that our ultimate deliverance comes from God, and it calls us to persistent prayer and unwavering trust in His sovereign care, even in the darkest valleys. It also fosters a sense of communal solidarity, as we recognize ourselves as part of the "congregation of thy poor" who collectively rely on God for their hope and salvation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 74:19, with its poignant cry for the deliverance of God's vulnerable "turtledove" from the "beast of the afflicted," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "turtledove," the innocent and undefiled Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!, who willingly subjected Himself to the brutal "beast" of human sin and demonic oppression. In His suffering, crucifixion, and death, Jesus truly became one of the "congregation of thy poor," identifying fully with humanity's weakness and affliction, even becoming poor for our sake that we through His poverty might be rich, as described in 2 Corinthians 8:9. Yet, God did not "deliver His soul" to ultimate destruction; instead, He raised Him from the dead, demonstrating His ultimate remembrance and covenant faithfulness. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, God has forever delivered His people from the spiritual "beast" of sin, death, and the devil, providing an eternal deliverance that far surpasses any earthly rescue. Now, as our Good Shepherd, Jesus continually protects His flock, ensuring that none of His "turtledoves" will be snatched from His hand, and guaranteeing that God's covenant with His redeemed "congregation" will never be forgotten but will endure forever and ever.