Psalms 74:21

KJV

O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

KJV (with Strong's)

O let not the oppressed {H1790} return {H7725}{H8799)} ashamed {H3637}{H8737)}: let the poor {H6041} and needy {H34} praise {H1984}{H8762)} thy name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't let the oppressed retreat in confusion; let the poor and needy praise your name.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not let the oppressed retreat in shame; may the poor and needy praise Your name.

American Standard Version

Oh let not the oppressed return ashamed: Let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 74:21 is a fervent plea within a communal lament, crying out to God to intervene on behalf of His suffering people. It expresses the desperate hope that the oppressed will not be left in humiliation, but rather that divine deliverance will enable the poor and needy to offer unhindered praise to God, thereby vindicating His name and demonstrating His righteous character amidst national catastrophe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 74 is a deeply moving communal lament, one of the Asaphic psalms, characterized by its raw expression of national anguish and a direct appeal to God. It is situated within the third book of the Psalter (Psalms 73-89), which often grapples with themes of divine justice, the suffering of the righteous, and God's covenant faithfulness. The psalm graphically details the desecration of God's sanctuary, the burning of His dwelling place, and the widespread suffering of His people at the hands of their enemies. Verse 21 functions as a climactic petition, arising from the detailed descriptions of destruction in the preceding verses (e.g., [Psalms 74:3-8](/psalms/74-3 "Psalms 74:3-8 - Desecration of the Sanctuary")), and leading into further pleas for God to remember His covenant and act decisively against His adversaries ([Psalms 74:22-23](/psalms/74-22 "Psalms 74:22-23 - Arise, O God, Plead Thine Own Cause")). It encapsulates the psalmist's longing for God's justice to be made manifest, not just for relief from suffering, but for the restoration of proper worship and God's glory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the exact historical setting is debated, Psalm 74 most powerfully resonates with the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, as described in books like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). The vivid imagery of the sanctuary being defiled, the burning of God's meeting places, and the cessation of prophetic signs strongly points to such a catastrophic event. In the ancient Near East, the defeat of a nation's army and the destruction of its temple were often interpreted as the defeat of its god. For Israel, this brought immense shame and humiliation, as it seemed to imply that their covenant God, Yahweh, was either powerless or had abandoned them. The "oppressed" and "poor and needy" would have been the most vulnerable members of society, bearing the brunt of invasion, displacement, and economic ruin. Their inability to worship or even exist safely would have been a profound spiritual and physical crisis, making the plea for vindication and the ability to praise God's name all the more poignant.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 74 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Vindication**, emphasizing God's character as the righteous judge who hears the cries of the afflicted and is expected to act on their behalf. The psalmist appeals to God's inherent nature to defend the helpless and uphold justice, especially when His own name and reputation are being blasphemed by the enemies ([Psalms 74:10](/psalms/74-10 "Psalms 74:10 - How Long Will the Adversary Reproach?")). Secondly, it underscores **God's Special Concern for the Vulnerable**, a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, where God commands care for the marginalized and promises to be their defender (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - Justice for the Fatherless and Widow") and [Proverbs 31:9](/proverbs/31-9 "Proverbs 31:9 - Open Your Mouth for the Mute")). Finally, the verse powerfully connects **Deliverance to Doxology**, demonstrating that the ultimate purpose of God's intervention is not merely the cessation of suffering, but the restoration of worship and the public acknowledgment of His glory. When the oppressed are delivered, their lament is transformed into praise, bringing honor to God's name, as seen in other psalms where deliverance leads to renewed thanksgiving (e.g., [Psalms 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalms 50:15 - Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oppressed (Hebrew, _dakka'_):** This word signifies those who are 'crushed,' 'broken,' 'trodden down,' or 'afflicted.' It describes a state of severe physical, emotional, or spiritual distress, often resulting from external forces or injustice. In this context, it refers to the people of Israel who have been utterly devastated by their enemies, feeling utterly dejected and without hope.
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _bosh'_):** To be 'ashamed' here means to be disappointed, disgraced, or humiliated. It implies returning from a situation or a plea with one's hopes dashed, feeling utterly discredited because God did not intervene as expected. In the biblical worldview, shame often carried the connotation of a public disgrace that reflected poorly not only on the individual or community but also on their God.
* **Poor and Needy (Hebrew, _'aniy v'evyon'_):** These two terms are often paired in the Psalms and wisdom literature to describe those who are economically, socially, and politically disadvantaged, lacking resources and power. Beyond material poverty, they can also signify spiritual humility and a complete dependence on God for sustenance and justice. They represent the most vulnerable segment of society, for whom God consistently expresses special care.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O let not the oppressed return ashamed:"** This is a passionate jussive prayer, an urgent plea to God. The phrase "return ashamed" implies that the oppressed have sought God's help or have waited in expectation of His intervention. If God does not act, they will return from their state of lament or expectation with their hopes unfulfilled, facing further humiliation and disgrace. This would not only deepen their suffering but also bring dishonor to God's name, as it would appear He was unable or unwilling to defend His people. The psalmist is essentially asking God to vindicate His people and, by extension, His own reputation.
* **"let the poor and needy praise thy name."** This clause states the desired, positive outcome of God's intervention. The deliverance of the "poor and needy" (who are synonymous with the "oppressed" in this context) is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater purpose: the restoration of their ability to praise God. "Praise thy name" signifies not merely verbal adoration, but a public acknowledgment and celebration of God's character, power, and faithfulness, demonstrated through His saving acts. Their deliverance will turn their lament into doxology, proving God's sovereignty and worthiness of honor to all.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. **Parallelism** is prominent, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where "the oppressed" in the first clause is paralleled by "the poor and needy" in the second, and the negative outcome of "return ashamed" is contrasted with the positive outcome of "praise thy name." This highlights the two sides of the psalmist's plea: the aversion of disgrace and the restoration of worship. The use of the **imperative mood** (or jussive, expressing a strong desire or command) in "O let not" and "let" underscores the urgency and fervency of the prayer. The phrase "thy name" serves as a **theonym**, a reference to God's character, reputation, and presence, emphasizing that God's honor is at stake in the deliverance of His people. The entire verse functions as a **supplication**, a humble and earnest appeal to divine power, characteristic of the lament genre.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 74:21 profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: God's character is inextricably linked to His justice for the vulnerable and His ultimate glory. It reveals that God's concern for the marginalized is not incidental but central to His nature, and His interventions are designed not only to alleviate suffering but to elicit worship. The psalmist's plea highlights the theological tension between God's apparent absence in times of distress and His covenant promises, appealing to His faithfulness to His own name. When God acts on behalf of the oppressed, He vindicates His people and, more importantly, His own honor, transforming despair into doxology. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true worship flows from a recognition of God's active, righteous hand in the world, especially in defending those who cannot defend themselves.

* [Psalm 9:9](/psalms/9-9 "Psalm 9:9 - The Lord is a Refuge for the Oppressed")
* [Psalm 34:6](/psalms/34-6 "Psalm 34:6 - The Poor Man Cried, and the Lord Heard Him")
* [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is Upon Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 74:21 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. In times of personal or communal distress, when circumstances seem overwhelming and God's presence feels distant, this verse reminds us that we are invited to cry out to Him with raw honesty and fervent expectation. It validates the experience of feeling "oppressed" and "ashamed," yet directs our hope towards the God who hears and acts. Furthermore, it calls us to embody God's heart for justice, prompting us to look beyond our own needs to the plight of the "poor and needy" in our world, whether physically, socially, or spiritually oppressed. Our prayers should extend to advocating for their vindication, trusting that God's deliverance will not only bring relief but will ultimately lead to renewed praise and glory for His name. When we experience God's intervention, our response should be a public declaration of His goodness, transforming our laments into hymns of adoration and demonstrating His faithfulness to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or the world do you see people feeling "oppressed" or "ashamed," and how might God be calling you to pray or act on their behalf?**
* **How does your experience of God's deliverance lead you to "praise His name" more fully, and how can you make that praise a public testimony?**
* **What does it mean for God's reputation to be at stake in the suffering of His people, and how does this understanding shape your prayers for justice?**

### FAQ
**Why is "shame" such a significant concern here?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, shame was a deeply powerful social and spiritual concept, intrinsically linked to honor and reputation. For a community like Israel, being defeated and having their sanctuary destroyed brought immense public shame, implying that their God was either weak, absent, or had abandoned them. This was not just personal humiliation but a theological crisis, as it seemed to undermine God's covenant faithfulness and power. The psalmist's plea, "O let not the oppressed return ashamed," is therefore a desperate cry for God to vindicate His own name and honor by acting decisively to rescue His people and demonstrate His sovereignty.

**How does this verse connect to the broader theme of God's justice for the poor?**

Answer: Psalms 74:21 is a powerful affirmation of a consistent biblical theme: God's particular concern for the vulnerable and marginalized. Throughout the Law and Prophets, God repeatedly commands His people to care for the "poor and needy," the widow, and the orphan, often promising to be their defender (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - Justice for the Fatherless and Widow") and [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters")). This verse shows God's justice is not an abstract concept but an active, intervening force that prevents the vulnerable from being further humiliated and enables them to worship Him freely. It underscores that true worship is intertwined with righteousness and justice for all people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 74:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is the truly "oppressed" and "poor and needy," crushed under the weight of sin and destined for eternal shame. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, did not allow us to "return ashamed." Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, who perfectly embodied the "poor and needy," identifying with our suffering and taking our shame upon Himself. [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men") prophetically describes Him as "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." On the cross, Jesus bore the ultimate disgrace, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). His resurrection is the divine vindication, proving that the Father did not leave Him ashamed, but exalted Him. Because of Christ's finished work, those who were spiritually oppressed and impoverished are now delivered from shame and given the glorious privilege to "praise thy name." Our deliverance through Him is not merely for our comfort, but so that we might worship the Lamb who was slain and is worthy of all praise ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb is Worthy to Receive Praise")). He is the one who enables us, the formerly shamed, to offer eternal praise to God.

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 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

Psalms 9:18

For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall [not] perish for ever.

Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Psalms 103:6

¶ The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

Psalms 35:10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

Psalms 102:19

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;

Psalms 102:21

To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;