Psalms 74:23

KJV

Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

KJV (with Strong's)

Forget {H7911}{H8799)} not the voice {H6963} of thine enemies {H6887}{H8802)}: the tumult {H7588} of those that rise up {H6965}{H8801)} against thee increaseth {H5927}{H8802)} continually {H8548}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't forget what your foes are saying, the ever-rising uproar of your adversaries.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not disregard the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies that ascends continually.

American Standard Version

Forget not the voice of thine adversaries: The tumult of those that rise up against thee ascendeth continually.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 74:23 concludes a profound communal lament, serving as an urgent and impassioned plea to God amidst national devastation and the desecration of His sanctuary. The psalmist implores the Almighty to acknowledge and respond to the escalating aggression, arrogant taunts, and blasphemous pronouncements of their enemies, whose hostile uproar continues to intensify without abatement. This final verse encapsulates the deep distress and desperate hope of a people who, despite overwhelming opposition, cling to the conviction that God will ultimately remember His covenant and intervene on their behalf against those who defy Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 74 is a deeply moving communal lament, one of the "Asaph psalms" (though its authorship is debated, it is attributed to Asaph in the superscription, indicating its association with the Levitical choir). It stands as a desperate cry to God following a catastrophic event, likely the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The psalm begins by questioning God's apparent abandonment, asking, "Why have you rejected us forever, O God?" as found in [Psalm 74:1](/psalms/74-1 "Psalm 74:1 - Why have you rejected us?"). It vividly describes the enemies' destructive actions, including the burning of God's sanctuary as detailed in [Psalm 74:7](/psalms/74-7 "Psalm 74:7 - They have set your sanctuary on fire"), and the silencing of prophetic signs, lamented in [Psalm 74:9](/psalms/74-9 "Psalm 74:9 - We see not our signs"). The psalmist then appeals to God's past acts of creation and salvation, asserting, "Yet God is my King from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth," as stated in [Psalm 74:12](/psalms/74-12 "Psalm 74:12 - God is my King of old"). Verse 23, therefore, functions as the climactic, urgent appeal, intensifying the plea for divine action against the ever-increasing insolence and power of the oppressors, bringing the lament to a fervent, unresolved close, awaiting God's response.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 74 is widely believed to be the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, or a similar devastating invasion that left the sanctuary desecrated and the nation in ruins. The vivid descriptions of the enemies' actions—burning the sanctuary, breaking down its carved work, and setting their own banners as signs, as depicted in [Psalm 74:3](/psalms/74-3 "Psalm 74:3 - They have destroyed everything in the sanctuary") and [Psalm 74:4](/psalms/74-4 "Psalm 74:4 - They set up their own emblems")—strongly suggest such an event. Culturally, the Temple was not merely a building but the dwelling place of God's presence, the center of Israel's worship, and the symbol of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Its destruction was not just a military defeat but a profound theological crisis, raising existential questions about God's power, faithfulness, and presence. The enemies' "voice" and "tumult" would have included their triumphalist shouts, taunts, and blasphemies against the God of Israel, further compounding the humiliation and despair of the people.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 74:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. A primary theme is **Divine Remembrance and Intervention**, as the psalmist’s plea, "Forget not," highlights the human longing for God to act decisively when evil seems to prevail and His people suffer. This connects to the broader biblical motif of God remembering His covenant, as expressed in [Psalm 105:8](/psalms/105-8 "Psalm 105:8 - He remembers his covenant forever"). Another crucial theme is **The Blasphemy of Enemies**, where the "voice of thine enemies" refers not just to their physical aggression but, more profoundly, to their arrogant taunts and verbal assaults against God's name and character. The psalmist asks, "How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?" in [Psalm 74:10](/psalms/74-10 "Psalm 74:10 - How long will the enemy scoff at God?"). The psalmist perceives these attacks as directed at God Himself, demanding divine vindication. Finally, the phrase "increaseth continually" underscores the theme of **Escalating Hostility**, portraying a worsening situation that demands urgent divine response, reflecting the ongoing spiritual warfare described in various biblical texts, such as the opposition faced by Nehemiah in rebuilding Jerusalem, detailed in [Nehemiah 4](/nehemiah/4 "Nehemiah 4 - Opposition to the Rebuilding of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forget (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** From H7911, this primitive root means "to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention." In the context of "Forget not," it is an urgent negative imperative, an anthropomorphism expressing the psalmist's desperate plea for God to actively remember and respond to their plight, rather than remaining seemingly inactive or silent. It signifies a desire for divine attention, intervention, and the restoration of justice.
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** From H6963, meaning "a voice or sound," in this context, `qôwl` carries significant semantic weight beyond mere audibility. It refers to the arrogant, blasphemous boasts, taunts, and reproaches of the enemies. This "voice" is an expression of their contempt for God and His people, a verbal assault that accompanies their physical destruction, highlighting the deeply offensive nature of their actions as direct insults to God's honor and sovereignty.
* **Tumult (Hebrew, _shâʼôwn'_):** From H7588, meaning "uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction," this word denotes a loud noise, uproar, or commotion, often associated with a large crowd, a battle, or a destructive force. It vividly portrays the chaotic, aggressive, and disruptive nature of the enemies' actions. It suggests not just a single act of violence but an ongoing, pervasive atmosphere of hostile agitation and overwhelming force, emphasizing the overwhelming and oppressive presence of the adversaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Forget not the voice of thine enemies:"** This opening clause is a direct, impassioned appeal to God. The psalmist, on behalf of the suffering community, implores God not to ignore or overlook the arrogant, blasphemous taunts and threats emanating from their adversaries. It is a plea for divine remembrance of their suffering and, by extension, a call for God to remember His own honor and covenant promises, which are being openly defied by the enemy's "voice."
* **"the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually."** This second clause provides the urgent justification for the plea. It describes the escalating nature of the threat: the "tumult" (the chaotic, aggressive uproar, from H7588 _shâʼôwn'_) of those who have risen in rebellion against God (and, by extension, His people, from H6965 _qûwm'_) is not static but "increaseth continually" (from H5927 _ʻâlâh'_ and H8548 _tâmîyd'_). This emphasizes the relentless, unceasing, and growing intensity of the opposition, painting a picture of an ever-worsening situation that demands immediate and decisive divine intervention. The phrase "rise up against thee" underscores that the enemies' actions are ultimately an affront to God Himself, not just to Israel.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 74:23 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the plea "Forget not," attributing human memory and potential forgetfulness to God to express the psalmist's desperate longing for divine intervention. This is a rhetorical device to underscore the perceived divine inaction and to stir God to remember His covenant and His people. The verse also uses powerful **Imagery**, particularly through "voice" and "tumult," to evoke the sensory experience of the enemies' overwhelming and offensive presence. The "voice" is not just sound but arrogant speech, and "tumult" conjures an image of chaotic, aggressive uproar. Furthermore, the phrase "increaseth continually" is a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and unceasing nature of the threat, intensifying the urgency of the lament and highlighting the overwhelming odds faced by the psalmist and the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 74:23 articulates a profound theological truth about the nature of lament and the sovereignty of God. It acknowledges the reality of escalating evil and the blasphemous opposition to God's name, yet it simultaneously affirms the conviction that God is not oblivious to these challenges. The psalmist's plea is rooted in the belief that God is righteous and just, and therefore, He must ultimately respond to those who defy Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the struggles of God's people are intrinsically linked to God's own honor and reputation in the world. When enemies mock God's people, they are, in essence, mocking God Himself, thus necessitating divine vindication. This understanding provides a framework for believers to bring their deepest laments and most urgent pleas before the Lord, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty and justice, even when circumstances seem dire and the "tumult" of opposition grows.

* [Psalms 94:3](/psalms/94-3 "Psalm 94:3 - How long shall the wicked triumph?")
* [Isaiah 37:23](/isaiah/37-23 "Isaiah 37:23 - Whom have you mocked and blasphemed?")
* [Revelation 11:18](/revelation/11-18 "Revelation 11:18 - God's wrath against those who destroy the earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 74:23 offers a timeless model for prayer and perseverance in times of profound distress and spiritual warfare. It validates the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by opposition and the apparent triumph of evil. In such moments, this verse encourages us to voice our laments and concerns directly to God, trusting that He hears every boast, every taunt, and every escalating "tumult" from those who oppose His kingdom and His people. It reminds us that our God is not distant or oblivious but intimately aware of the challenges we face. The "continually increasing" nature of the tumult calls for persistent and fervent prayer, even when the situation seems to worsen. It cultivates a deep reliance on God's sovereignty, knowing that He will ultimately bring justice and vindicate His name, no matter how formidable the adversaries may appear. This psalm invites us to lay bare our fears and frustrations before the Lord, confident that our cries for divine remembrance and intervention are heard by the One who is faithful to His covenant and will ultimately triumph over all evil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or the world do you currently perceive the "tumult" of opposition or evil to be "increasing continually"?**
* **How does the psalmist's plea, "Forget not," shape your understanding of God's attentiveness to your struggles and the struggles of His people?**
* **What specific "voices" or "tumults" (e.g., societal pressures, personal struggles, spiritual attacks) are you called to bring before God in prayer today, trusting in His ultimate intervention?**

### FAQ

**What does "Forget not the voice of thine enemies" mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "Forget not the voice of thine enemies" is a fervent plea for God's active remembrance and intervention. For believers today, it means acknowledging that God is fully aware of every challenge, opposition, and blasphemous word directed against His name and His people. It encourages us to bring our laments and concerns to Him, trusting that He sees the "tumult" of evil and will act in His perfect timing. It's a call to persistent prayer, recognizing that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even when the forces of darkness seem to be gaining ground. It reminds us that our battles are ultimately His, and He will ultimately vindicate His honor and His people, just as He did for His people in the wilderness, as recorded in [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's testing of Israel").

**How does the "tumult" increasing continually relate to spiritual warfare?**

Answer: The "tumult... increaseth continually" vividly portrays the escalating nature of the opposition. In the context of spiritual warfare, this signifies the relentless and often intensifying attacks from spiritual adversaries. Just as the psalmist faced physical enemies whose aggression grew, believers today can experience increasing spiritual pressure, temptations, and societal forces that oppose God's truth. This phrase underscores the urgency of prayer and reliance on God's power, recognizing that the spiritual battle is ongoing and requires constant vigilance and divine intervention. It echoes the New Testament's call to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, as described in [Ephesians 6:11-12](/ephesians/6-11-12 "Ephesians 6:11-12 - Put on the whole armor of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 74:23, with its desperate plea for God to remember and intervene against the escalating "tumult" of His enemies, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "voice of thine enemies" and their increasing "tumult" foreshadow the relentless opposition Christ faced throughout His earthly ministry, from the taunts of the religious leaders to the shouts of the crowd demanding His crucifixion, as recorded in [Luke 23:21](/luke/23-21 "Luke 23:21 - They cried out, 'Crucify him!'"). Yet, in His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus decisively confronted and overcame the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil, triumphing over them by the cross as stated in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - He disarmed the rulers and authorities"). He is the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), silencing the accusations of the accuser and dismantling the power of darkness. Furthermore, Christ's ongoing intercession at the right hand of God, as affirmed in [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us"), ensures that God indeed "forgets not" the cries of His people amidst the world's tumult. Ultimately, the future return of Christ will bring the final and complete cessation of all hostile voices and tumult, establishing His eternal kingdom where justice reigns supreme and every knee will bow, as proclaimed in [Philippians 2:10](/phil/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every knee should bow"), fulfilling the psalmist's desperate longing for divine vindication and peace.

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 65:7

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Isaiah 37:29

Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Lamentations 2:16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].

Revelation 17:14

¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

Jonah 1:2

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Psalms 74:4

Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns [for] signs.

Psalms 2:1

¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?