TRV
Translation
King James Version
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
Complete Jewish Bible
Look to the covenant, for the land's dark places are full of the haunts of violence.
Berean Standard Bible
Consider Your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.
American Standard Version
Have respect unto the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence.
World English Bible Messianic
Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Consider thy couenant: for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitations of the cruell.
Young's Literal Translation
Look attentively to the covenant, For the dark places of earth, Have been full of habitations of violence.
In the KJVVerse 15,069 of 31,102
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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
"Have regard unto Your Testament" [Psalm 74:20]. Fulfil that which You have promised: the tables we have, for the inheritance we are looking. "Have regard unto Your Testament," not that old one: not for the sake of the land of Canaan I ask, not for the sake of the temporal subduing of enemies, not for the sake of carnal fruitfulness of sons, not for the sake of earthly riches, not for the sake of temporal welfare: "Have regard unto Your Testament," wherein You have promised the kingdom of Heaven. Now I acknowledge Your Testament: now understanding is Asaph, no beast is Asaph, now he sees that which was spoken of, "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, and I will accomplish with the House of Israel and of Juda a new Testament, not after the Testament which I ordered with their Fathers." [Jeremiah 31:31] "Have regard unto Your Testament: for they that have been darkened have been filled of the earth of unrighteous houses:" because they had unrighteous hearts. Our "houses" are our hearts: therein gladly dwell they that are blessed with pure heart. [Matthew 5:8] "Have regard," therefore, "unto Your Testament:" and let the remnant be saved: [Romans 9:27] for many men that give heed to earth are darkened, and filled with earth. For there has entered into their eyes dust, and it has blinded them, and they have become dust which the wind sweeps from the face of the earth. "They that have been darkened have been filled of the earth of unrighteous houses." For by giving heed to earth they have been darkened, concerning whom there is said in another Psalm, "Let their eyes be blinded, that they see not, and their back ever bow Thou down." With earth, then, "they that have been darkened have been filled, with the earth of unrighteous houses:" because they have unrighteous hearts....
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 74:20 presents an impassioned plea from the psalmist to God, urging Him to remember and act upon His covenant promises to Israel. This desperate appeal arises from the grim reality that "the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty," a vivid portrayal of a world overwhelmed by pervasive injustice, violence, and moral decay, thereby underscoring the vital and urgent need for divine intervention.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 74 is an Asaphic psalm, a profound communal lament expressing deep anguish over the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the widespread desolation of Judah, most likely during the Babylonian invasion and exile (circa 586 BC). The psalm opens with a heart-wrenching question, "O God, why hast thou cast us off forever?" as seen in Psalm 74:1. It vividly describes the enemy's desecration of the sanctuary in Psalm 74:3, the burning of holy places in Psalm 74:7, and the silencing of prophetic voices as lamented in Psalm 74:9. Against this backdrop of profound despair, the psalmist appeals to God's past acts of salvation, particularly His mighty deeds in creation and the Exodus, highlighted in Psalm 74:13, to remind Him of His enduring power and faithfulness. Verse 20 serves as a pivotal point, transitioning from the description of desolation to a direct, impassioned appeal to God's foundational covenant relationship with His people, asserting that the dire state of the world necessitates His immediate and decisive action.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for Psalm 74 is widely understood to be the catastrophic destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. This event was not merely a military defeat but a profound theological crisis for Israel. The temple was considered God's dwelling place, the tangible symbol of His presence and covenant with His people. Its destruction, along with the cessation of sacrifices and the exile of the populace, deeply challenged Israel's understanding of God's faithfulness and power. The "dark places of the earth" could refer to the desolate, war-torn regions of Judah, now under foreign dominion, or more broadly, to the pagan nations that oppressed Israel, characterized by their idolatry and brutal practices. The concept of "covenant" (bᵉrîyth) was central to Israelite identity, encompassing God's promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1, His law given at Sinai in Exodus 19, and His promise to David in 2 Samuel 7. Appealing to the covenant was an appeal to God's very character and His unchangeable commitment to His chosen people, even when circumstances seemed to contradict His promises.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 74 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of God's Covenant Faithfulness. The plea "Have respect unto the covenant" is not a reminder to a forgetful God, but an earnest appeal to His immutable character and His solemn, binding promises to Israel. It highlights the enduring nature of God's covenant relationships, which serve as the bedrock of hope even amidst seemingly insurmountable despair. This faithfulness is central to God's identity, as seen throughout the Old Testament. Secondly, the verse starkly portrays The Reality of Evil and Cruelty. The imagery of "dark places" full of "habitations of cruelty" paints a grim picture of widespread injustice, violence, and moral depravity that has become entrenched in the world. This emphasizes the pervasive nature of sin and the human capacity for profound wickedness, particularly when God's light and justice are absent or ignored. This deep-seated evil is a recurring lament in the Psalms, as evidenced in Psalm 10. Finally, the verse is a fervent Call for Divine Intervention. It is a desperate cry for God to remember His promises, to arise, and to bring His justice to bear against the pervasive evil described. This theme highlights the biblical conviction that only God possesses the power and righteousness to overcome the deepest forms of human depravity and to ultimately establish His righteous kingdom, as anticipated in passages like Isaiah 2:4.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 74:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message and the depth of the psalmist's anguish. The most prominent is Imagery, particularly in the phrases "dark places of the earth" and "habitations of cruelty." "Dark places" evokes a vivid picture of spiritual and moral desolation, where God's light is absent, leading to ignorance and wickedness. This is further intensified by the Metaphor of "habitations of cruelty," which personifies cruelty as something that dwells and takes root, suggesting its pervasive, entrenched, and systemic nature rather than just sporadic acts. This personification elevates cruelty from an abstract concept to a tangible, oppressive force that has settled in and claimed territory. The verse also utilizes Pathos, appealing directly to God's character and faithfulness (His covenant) in the face of immense human suffering and injustice. The psalmist's desperate plea is designed to evoke divine compassion and action, underscoring the deep emotional distress and theological crisis of the community.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The plea in Psalms 74:20 for God to "have respect unto the covenant" in the face of widespread "cruelty" speaks to the very heart of biblical theology concerning God's faithfulness and justice. It affirms that God's promises are immutable, even when human circumstances suggest otherwise. The psalmist's cry is an act of profound faith, trusting that God's character, as revealed in His covenant, compels Him to act against injustice and restore order. This tension between God's apparent silence and the reality of human suffering is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, leading believers to appeal to God's righteous nature and His ultimate commitment to His creation. The verse highlights the profound biblical understanding that where God's truth and presence are absent, evil and violence will inevitably proliferate, making God's intervention not just desirable but absolutely essential for the restoration of order and righteousness in a fallen world.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 74:20 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers navigating a world still grappling with darkness and cruelty. It calls us first to anchor our hope in God's unchanging covenant promises. In times of personal distress, national crisis, or global injustice, our most potent appeal is not to our own merit or power, but to the faithful character of God as revealed in His Word. Just as the psalmist appealed to the bᵉrîyth, we too can confidently remind ourselves and God (not that He forgets, but that we might remember His character) of His faithfulness to His word. Secondly, the verse compels us to acknowledge and confront the reality of pervasive evil. The "dark places" and "habitations of cruelty" are not just ancient metaphors; they represent the ongoing realities of oppression, injustice, and moral decay in our world today. This awareness should stir within us a deep empathy for those suffering and a renewed commitment to prayer and action. Finally, it encourages us to pray fervently for divine justice and intervention. Like the psalmist, we are called to cry out to God, trusting that He is sovereign over all circumstances and that His kingdom will ultimately overcome all forms of evil. Our prayers for justice are not passive wishes but active participation in God's redemptive plan, knowing that He hears the cries of His people and will ultimately set all wrongs right.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is "the covenant" referred to in Psalms 74:20, and why is it so important?
Answer: "The covenant" (Hebrew: bᵉrîyth) in Psalms 74:20 refers to the foundational binding agreements God made with Israel, primarily the Abrahamic Covenant found in Genesis 12:1, the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai in Exodus 19, and the Davidic Covenant detailed in 2 Samuel 7. These covenants established Israel as God's chosen people, promised them land, descendants, and a lasting relationship, and provided the framework for their national and spiritual life. Its importance lies in its being the very basis of God's relationship with Israel; it signifies God's unwavering faithfulness and His commitment to His promises, even when His people are suffering or disobedient. The psalmist appeals to this covenant as the ultimate ground for God's intervention and restoration.
What does the phrase "dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty" truly mean?
Answer: This phrase is a powerful metaphorical description of pervasive evil and injustice. "Dark places" (machshâk) refers not just to physical locations but to regions or conditions marked by spiritual ignorance, moral depravity, and the absence of God's light and truth. These are places where God's presence is not acknowledged, leading to unchecked wickedness. "Habitations of cruelty" (nâʼâh châmâç) suggests that cruelty, violence, and injustice (châmâç) are not merely sporadic acts but have become deeply entrenched and systemic, like permanent dwellings. It paints a vivid picture of a world where evil has taken root and become the dominant characteristic, necessitating divine intervention to bring justice and light.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 74:20 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment and guarantor of God's covenant faithfulness. While the psalmist pleads for God to remember the old covenant in the face of earthly cruelty, Jesus inaugurates a new and better covenant, established on superior promises, as affirmed in Hebrews 8:6. He is the Light of the World, as declared in John 8:12, who came to dispel the spiritual darkness that fills the "dark places of the earth." His life, death, and resurrection directly confront the "habitations of cruelty," not merely by addressing individual acts of violence but by disarming the principalities and powers of spiritual evil that fuel such cruelty, a victory described in Colossians 2:15. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in John 1:29, which is the root cause of all cruelty and injustice. Ultimately, His return will bring about a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells and all tears are wiped away, permanently eradicating the "habitations of cruelty" and establishing His kingdom of peace and justice, as promised in Revelation 21:4.