Psalms 74:2

KJV

Remember thy congregation, [which] thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142}{H8798)} thy congregation {H5712}, which thou hast purchased {H7069}{H8804)} of old {H6924}; the rod {H7626} of thine inheritance {H5159}, which thou hast redeemed {H1350}{H8804)}; this mount {H2022} Zion {H6726}, wherein thou hast dwelt {H7931}{H8804)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember your community, which you acquired long ago, the tribe you redeemed to be your very own. Remember Mount Tziyon, where you came to live.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance— Mount Zion where You dwell.

American Standard Version

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast gotten of old, Which thou hast redeemed to be the tribe of thine inheritance; Andmount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 74:2 is a fervent and urgent appeal from the psalmist to God, arising from a period of profound national devastation, likely the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. The verse functions as a powerful reminder of God's enduring covenant faithfulness, recalling His unique, historical relationship with Israel as His specially chosen and redeemed people, and His deep commitment to Mount Zion, the sacred place of His dwelling. It is a desperate cry for divine intervention, grounded firmly in God's own past actions and unwavering promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 74 is a communal lament, a *Maskil* (a didactic or contemplative psalm), and stands as one of the most vivid and painful descriptions of national desolation within the Psalter. It is situated in Book 2 of the Psalms (Psalms 42-72), a section frequently characterized by laments and appeals to God's kingship and justice. The preceding verse, [Psalm 74:1](/psalms/74-1 "Psalm 74:1 - God's Apparent Rejection"), immediately establishes a tone of abandonment and questioning, setting the stage for the desperate plea in verse 2. The psalmist proceeds to graphically detail the desecration of the sanctuary and the apparent triumph of the enemy (e.g., [Psalm 74:3-7](/psalms/74-3-7 "Psalm 74:3-7 - Desecration of the Sanctuary")), making the appeal to God's historical relationship in verse 2 the foundational argument for divine action. This verse thus serves as the initial premise of the psalmist's argument, laying out God's established ownership and enduring presence as the basis for His intervention against the current devastation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The most widely accepted historical backdrop for Psalm 74 is the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple by the Babylonian Empire in 586 BC, an event meticulously documented in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and poignantly lamented in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - The Desolation of Jerusalem"). This was not merely a military defeat but an unparalleled national and theological trauma for Israel. The Temple was considered the physical dwelling place of God's presence, the *Shekinah*, and its destruction, alongside the city of Jerusalem and Mount Zion, was perceived as a direct assault on God's honor and a profound challenge to His covenant with Israel. The psalmist's appeal to God's "congregation," "inheritance," and "Mount Zion" reflects the deep cultural and religious significance of these entities as central to Israel's identity and their unique relationship with Yahweh. The concept of God "purchasing" and "redeeming" them harks back to the foundational Exodus event, a collective memory of divine liberation that defined their national existence and identity.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 74:2 encapsulates several crucial themes that resonate throughout the Psalter and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's sovereign ownership and covenant relationship** with Israel, emphasizing that they are not merely a people but "His congregation" and "His inheritance," chosen and acquired through divine initiative. This idea is deeply rooted in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel as God's Chosen People"). Secondly, the verse underscores **divine redemption**, recalling God's powerful acts of deliverance, most notably the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/15-13 "Exodus 15:13 - God's Redemptive Power"), which established Israel's identity as a liberated people. The terms "purchased" and "redeemed" are rich with theological meaning, pointing to God's active intervention to free His people from bondage. Thirdly, the mention of "Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt" emphasizes **God's immanent presence** among His people. Zion, particularly the Temple built upon it, was the symbolic and actual center of God's dwelling, signifying His commitment to His people and His readiness to hear their prayers, as seen in [1 Kings 8:13](/1_kings/8-13 "1 Kings 8:13 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"). Finally, the entire verse functions as a **covenant appeal**, where the psalmist reminds God of His past faithfulness and His own reputation, imploring Him to act in accordance with His character and established relationship with His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** This term, H2142, means "to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention." In this context, it is not a request for God to recall forgotten information, but an urgent plea for Him to act decisively on behalf of His people, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness. It implies active intervention based on prior knowledge and commitment.
* **Purchased (Hebrew, _qânâh'_):** This verb, H7069, means "to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own." Here, it signifies God's sovereign act of acquiring Israel as His own people, implying a deliberate and foundational act of establishment and ownership. It points to God's initiative in forming the nation, not through human effort, but by divine decree and power.
* **Redeemed (Hebrew, _gâʼal'_):** This is a strong theological term, H1350, meaning "to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.); avenger, deliver, kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger." It refers to God's mighty act of delivering Israel from bondage, most notably from Egypt, underscoring His power, faithfulness, and the deep, personal nature of His relationship with His people as their Kinsman-Redeemer.
* **Mount Zion (Hebrew, _har Tsîyôwn'_):** This phrase combines H2022 ("mountain or range of hills") and H6726 ("Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem"). It refers to the specific hill in Jerusalem where the Temple was built, symbolizing God's chosen dwelling place among His people. Its mention underscores the physical manifestation of God's presence and commitment to Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember thy congregation":** This opening imperative is a profound plea, not for God to recall forgotten facts, but to actively intervene on behalf of His people. It is an appeal to God's character and His established covenant relationship with Israel as "His congregation," emphasizing their collective identity and unique status before Him. The psalmist implores God to act in a way that demonstrates His remembrance and faithfulness.
* **"[which] thou hast purchased of old":** This clause grounds the appeal in God's foundational acts of establishing Israel. The term "purchased" (Hebrew: *qanah*) speaks to God's sovereign acquisition of His people, a deliberate act of creation and choosing from ancient times. It highlights that Israel's very existence and identity are entirely due to God's initiative and ownership, reinforcing their unique and divinely ordained relationship with Him.
* **"the rod of thine inheritance, [which] thou hast redeemed":** This phrase employs a powerful metaphor. "The rod of thine inheritance" refers to Israel as God's allotted portion or possession, much like a tribal inheritance marked out by a measuring rod. This emphasizes God's personal claim and deep investment in His people. The parallel clause, "which thou hast redeemed" (Hebrew: *ga'al*), reinforces this ownership by recalling God's mighty acts of liberation, particularly the Exodus, where He powerfully rescued them from slavery, asserting His claim over them through redemptive action.
* **"this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt":** This final clause points to the physical manifestation of God's presence and commitment. Mount Zion, specifically where the Temple stood, was the sacred place where God had chosen to dwell among His people. Its destruction was not merely a national tragedy but an assault on God's own dwelling place and, by extension, His honor and reputation. The psalmist reminds God of His personal investment in this sacred space as further grounds for divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 74:2 masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its emotional and theological impact. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, particularly **synonymous parallelism**, where "thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old" is echoed and reinforced by "the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed." This repetition deepens the emphasis on God's dual acts of acquiring and liberating His people, underscoring His profound ownership and commitment. The phrase "the rod of thine inheritance" functions as a potent **metaphor**, likening Israel to a valuable portion or possession, thereby highlighting God's personal claim and investment in them. The initial command, "Remember thy congregation," uses **apostrophe**, as the psalmist directly addresses God, and implies a form of **personification**, urging God to act as if He might forget, which serves to emphasize the urgency and desperation of the plea rather than suggesting divine forgetfulness. Furthermore, the combination of "congregation," "inheritance," and "Mount Zion" can be seen as a form of **merism**, where distinct but related parts (the people and their dwelling place) are mentioned to represent the totality of God's relationship with Israel, appealing to every aspect of His covenant bond.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 74:2 profoundly articulates the foundational relationship between God and His people, a relationship built upon divine initiative, covenant, and redemptive power. It reminds us that God's people are not self-made but are divinely "purchased" and "redeemed," underscoring His sovereign choice and active involvement in their history. The appeal to God's dwelling on Mount Zion highlights the critical importance of God's immanent presence among His people, a presence that signifies His commitment, protection, and faithfulness to His promises. Even in the face of apparent divine abandonment and devastating circumstances, the psalmist clings to the immutable truth of God's past actions and His enduring covenant, making these the very basis for the desperate call for renewed intervention. This deep theological understanding of God's ownership and presence serves as the bedrock for all hope and prayer in times of extreme distress, affirming that God's character and past deeds are the ultimate guarantee of future deliverance.

* [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "God's Promise to Redeem Israel")
* [Deuteronomy 4:20](/deuteronomy/4-20 "Israel as God's Inheritance")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "Believers as God's Chosen People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 74:2 offers a timeless and powerful model for prayer and perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. When we, individually or corporately, experience seasons of profound distress, loss, or apparent divine silence, this verse calls us to anchor our hope and our pleas in the unshakeable truth of God's character and His unwavering past faithfulness. Like the psalmist, we are invited to "remind" God (not because He is forgetful, but because we need to remember and articulate His truth) of His sovereign ownership over us, His redemptive acts in our lives and in history, and His abiding presence. It reassures us that our identity as God's people is not based on our strength, merit, or current circumstances, but on His gracious choice, His costly purchase, and His powerful redemption. This understanding provides immense comfort, knowing that the God who acquired us at such great cost will never abandon His own. It also challenges us to reflect on the depth of our own understanding of God's ownership and our identity as His "congregation" and "inheritance," prompting us to live in a manner consistent with such a profound relationship, even when the "Mount Zion" of our lives seems to be in ruins.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I need to "remember" God's past faithfulness and redemptive acts in my own life or in the history of the church today?**
* **How does understanding myself as God's "purchased" and "redeemed" inheritance shape my identity, my sense of security, and my response to current challenges?**
* **What does "Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt" mean for me as a believer today, and how does God's indwelling presence empower me in times of distress?**
* **How can Psalm 74:2 inform and strengthen my prayers when I feel that God is distant or when circumstances seem to contradict His promises?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist ask God to 'remember' if God is omniscient?**

Answer: The psalmist's plea for God to "remember" is not an implication that God is forgetful or suffers from a lapse in memory. Rather, in biblical language, "remembering" God often signifies His active intervention and demonstration of covenant faithfulness. When the Bible says God "remembers" His covenant (e.g., [Genesis 9:15](/genesis/9-15 "Genesis 9:15 - God Remembers His Covenant")), it means He is about to act in accordance with His promises and character. The psalmist is essentially imploring God to act on behalf of His "congregation" and "inheritance," to demonstrate His power and presence as He has done "of old," thereby fulfilling His covenant obligations and defending His own honor in the face of devastation. It is a powerful rhetorical device to stir God to action, appealing to His very nature as a covenant-keeping God.

**What is the significance of 'the rod of thine inheritance'?**

Answer: The phrase "the rod of thine inheritance" is a rich metaphor rooted in ancient Near Eastern practices. In this context, a "rod" (Hebrew: *shebet*) could refer to a measuring rod used to divide land, signifying a portion or allotment. Thus, "the rod of thine inheritance" refers to Israel as God's specially chosen portion, His personal possession, or His allotted people. It emphasizes God's sovereign claim and deep investment in them, much like an individual's most prized inheritance. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages that describe Israel as God's "peculiar treasure" (e.g., [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel as God's Treasured Possession")) or His "heritage" (e.g., [Jeremiah 10:16](/jeremiah/10-16 "Jeremiah 10:16 - The Portion of Jacob")). It underscores the unique and intimate relationship between God and His people, reinforcing the psalmist's argument for divine intervention based on God's own vested interest.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 74:2, with its poignant appeal to God's ownership, redemption, and dwelling place, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His Church. The "congregation" that God "purchased of old" through the Exodus finds its eschatological reality in the Church, which Christ Himself purchased with His own precious blood, as [Acts 20:28](/acts/20-28 "Acts 20:28 - The Church Purchased by Christ's Blood") declares. No longer defined by a national lineage or a physical location, God's true inheritance now comprises all who are in Christ, redeemed from the bondage of sin and death by His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He is the true "Redeemer," paying the ultimate price to set His people free, as triumphantly celebrated in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Precious Blood"). Furthermore, while God once dwelt on "Mount Zion" in a physical Temple, His dwelling place is now spiritually realized in the person of Christ (who is the true Temple, as He Himself proclaimed in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")) and collectively in the Church. Believers, individually and corporately, are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (as seen in [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")) and are being built together into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling Place")). Thus, the desperate plea of Psalm 74:2 resonates with even greater depth and assurance for believers today, reminding us of our secure identity and eternal inheritance in Christ, who is our ultimate purchase, our eternal redemption, and our indwelling presence.

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

Jeremiah 10:16

The portion of Jacob [is] not like them: for he [is] the former of all [things]; and Israel [is] the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts [is] his name.

Exodus 15:16

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Deuteronomy 32:9

For the LORD'S portion [is] his people; Jacob [is] the lot of his inheritance.

Exodus 15:13

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Deuteronomy 4:20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, [even] out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as [ye are] this day.

Psalms 135:4

For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, [and] Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Psalms 78:68

But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.