Psalms 74:11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תָשִׁ֣יב
Why withdrawest
H7725
תָשִׁ֣יב
Why withdrawest
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 7
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יָ֭דְךָ
thou thy hand
H3027
יָ֭דְךָ
thou thy hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וִֽימִינֶ֑ךָ
even thy right hand
H3225
וִֽימִינֶ֑ךָ
even thy right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
4 of 7
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
מִקֶּ֖רֶב
it out of
H7130
מִקֶּ֖רֶב
it out of
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
Historical Context
The "right hand" metaphor appears throughout Scripture for God's saving power (Exodus 15:6, Psalm 77:10, Isaiah 41:10). Its withdrawal indicates judgment or testing. Yet God's hand is never truly inactive—His delays serve purposes. Isaiah 64:12 asks similarly: "Will you restrain yourself at these things, O LORD?" Jesus experienced divine "withdrawal" on the cross (Matthew 27:46), showing God enters our abandonment.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you express honest frustration with God's timing while maintaining trust in His character?
- What purposes might God's "withdrawn hand" serve in developing mature faith?
- How does Christ's experience of God-forsakenness on the cross validate and redeem your experiences of divine absence?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist pleads urgently: "Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom" (Hebrew lammah tashiv yad-kha vi-minekha mi-qerev cheyk-kha kalleh). The "right hand" symbolizes power and action. God's hand "in His bosom" pictures inactivity, withholding help. "Pluck it out" urges God to act decisively. The verse voices frustration at divine inaction—not irreverent doubt but honest wrestling. Faith can protest to God while maintaining trust.