Psalms 74:22

Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

Arise {H6965}{H8798)}, O God {H430}, plead {H7378}{H8798)} thine own cause {H7379}: remember {H2142}{H8798)} how the foolish man {H5036} reproacheth {H2781} thee daily {H3117}.

Arise, God, and defend your cause; remember how brutish men insult you all day.

Rise up, O God; defend Your cause! Remember how the fool mocks You all day long.

Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee all the day.

Commentary

Psalms 74:22 is a fervent plea to God from a people in deep distress, likely after a devastating national calamity like the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The psalmist, Asaph, cries out for divine intervention, appealing to God's honor and reputation.

Context

Psalm 74 is a communal lament, a prayer of anguish from the Israelites witnessing the desecration of their sanctuary and the oppression by their enemies. The psalm vividly describes the destruction (see Psalm 74:7) and the taunts of their adversaries. In this desperate situation, the psalmist doesn't ask God to save them because they deserve it, but because God's own name and glory are being mocked. This particular verse comes towards the end of the psalm, intensifying the appeal for God to act decisively.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The cry "Arise, O God" is a desperate call for the Almighty to step into human history and demonstrate His power. It reflects a profound belief that only God can rectify the situation.
  • God's Honor and Reputation: The core of the plea, "plead thine own cause," highlights that the enemies' actions are not just against Israel, but directly against God Himself. Their blasphemy challenges God's sovereignty and existence, making it God's battle to fight.
  • Reproach and Blasphemy: The "foolish man" (Hebrew: nabal, meaning senseless, impious, morally corrupt) represents those who openly mock God and His people. Their "reproach" (Hebrew: charaph, to taunt, scorn, insult) is a daily, persistent challenge to God's authority, demanding a divine response. This theme echoes throughout scripture, where God's people are often scorned for their faith, and God is called upon to vindicate His name (e.g., Ezekiel 36:23).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "foolish man" in KJV translates the Hebrew word nabal, which signifies more than just a lack of intelligence; it denotes moral and spiritual depravity, a person who disregards God and His ways. This concept is explored further in Psalm 14:1, where "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." The term "reproacheth" (charaph) emphasizes the public and persistent nature of the mockery and scorn directed at God.

Practical Application

Psalms 74:22 offers significant insights for believers today:

  • Prayer in Adversity: It teaches us to turn to God in times of extreme distress, even when circumstances seem hopeless or God appears silent.
  • Focus on God's Glory: When we face opposition or ridicule for our faith, we can pray that God will act not just for our sake, but for the vindication of His own name and truth. Our struggles can become opportunities for God to display His power.
  • Understanding Spiritual Warfare: This verse reminds us that the battle is not just against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces that often manifest as opposition to God's truth and His people (compare with Ephesians 6:12).
  • Confidence in God's Justice: Despite the "daily reproach," the psalmist maintains confidence that God is sovereign and will ultimately "arise" to defend His cause and silence the impious.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 74:18

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

  • Isaiah 52:5

    Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day [is] blasphemed.

  • Psalms 53:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

  • Psalms 9:19

    Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

  • Psalms 9:20

    Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] men. Selah.

  • Psalms 75:4

    I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:

  • Psalms 75:5

    Lift not up your horn on high: speak [not with] a stiff neck.
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