Psalms 74:19

Authorized King James Version

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O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתֵּ֣ן O deliver H5414
תִּתֵּ֣ן O deliver
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 2 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חַיַּ֥ת not the congregation H2416
חַיַּ֥ת not the congregation
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 3 of 10
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
נֶ֣פֶשׁ not the soul H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ not the soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
תּוֹרֶ֑ךָ of thy turtledove H8449
תּוֹרֶ֑ךָ of thy turtledove
Strong's: H8449
Word #: 5 of 10
a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment
חַיַּ֥ת not the congregation H2416
חַיַּ֥ת not the congregation
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 6 of 10
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
עֲ֝נִיֶּ֗יךָ of thy poor H6041
עֲ֝נִיֶּ֗יךָ of thy poor
Strong's: H6041
Word #: 7 of 10
depressed, in mind or circumstances
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 8 of 10
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח of the wicked forget H7911
תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח of the wicked forget
Strong's: H7911
Word #: 9 of 10
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
לָנֶֽצַח׃ for ever H5331
לָנֶֽצַח׃ for ever
Strong's: H5331
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

Analysis & Commentary

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked—The image of Israel as God's tôr (תּוֹר, turtledove) is tender and vulnerable. Turtledoves were among the poorest sacrificial offerings (Leviticus 5:7), symbolizing both poverty and innocence. The nep̄esh (נֶפֶשׁ, soul/life) of this defenseless bird faces the multitude (ləḥayyath, לְחַיַּת)—literally "to the beast" or predatory crowd. The contrast is devastating: gentle dove versus ravaging beast.

Forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever—Tishkaḥ (תִּשְׁכַּח, forget not) echoes the earlier "remember" (v. 18), creating a parallel structure. God's ʿădath ʿăniyyeḵā (עֲדַת עֲנִיֶּיךָ, "congregation of your afflicted ones") are not abandoned orphans but covenant family—His possession, His responsibility. For ever (lāneṣaḥ, לָנֶצַח) appeals to God's eternal faithfulness, not just temporary relief.

This verse beautifully captures Israel's helpless dependence on divine protection. Jesus would later identify Himself with the dove (the Spirit's descent at His baptism, Matthew 3:16) and with the poor (Matthew 5:3). The church, though defenseless as doves against worldly powers (Matthew 10:16), rests in God's unwavering commitment to His flock. The Great Shepherd does not forget even one lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7).

Historical Context

After Jerusalem's fall, survivors faced brutal treatment—some killed, others enslaved and deported to Babylon (2 Kings 25:11-12). The 'poor of the land' left behind were vulnerable to surrounding nations' exploitation. This psalm voice their desperate plea for divine intervention when all human protection had collapsed.

Questions for Reflection