Psalms 74:20
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The covenant (berit) was the organizing concept of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. Unlike surrounding nations whose gods were capricious and unpredictable, Israel's God had bound Himself by solemn agreement. The Abrahamic covenant promised land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 12, 15, 17). The Mosaic covenant established the terms of relationship at Sinai (Exodus 19-24). The Davidic covenant promised an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7).
Appeals to covenant appear frequently in biblical prayer. Moses interceded for Israel by reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 32:13). Nehemiah prayed: "Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses" (Nehemiah 1:8). The covenant provided grounds for prayer that transcended human merit.
The mention of "dark places" and "cruelty" reflects the violence experienced during the Babylonian conquest. 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52 describe the brutality: killing the king's sons before his eyes, blinding the king, carrying away captives, burning the temple and palace. The psalm asks God to consider this suffering in light of His covenant promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How does appealing to God's covenant differ from appealing to our own merit or righteousness?
- What promises of God can believers appeal to in prayer during times of suffering?
- How does the connection between covenant faithfulness and justice on earth inform our understanding of God's character?
- What are the 'dark places' in our world today, and how might the church pray concerning them?
Analysis & Commentary
Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. This verse represents one of the psalm's most theologically significant appeals. The psalmist does not argue based on Israel's merit but on God's covenant commitment. The prayer is grounded not in human worthiness but in divine faithfulness.
"Have respect unto the covenant" (habbet labberit, הַבֵּט לַבְּרִית) uses nabat (to look, regard, pay attention) in an imperative form. The psalmist asks God to look at—to remember and honor—His covenant. Berit (בְּרִית) is the foundational concept of Israel's relationship with God: the binding agreement established at Sinai, renewed through history, promising mutual commitment between Yahweh and His people.
"The dark places of the earth" (machashakkei-eretz, מַחֲשַׁכֵּי־אֶרֶץ) describes regions of darkness—whether physical (caves, hiding places) or metaphorical (places where light of truth and justice does not penetrate). "Habitations of cruelty" (ne'ot chamas, נְאוֹת חָמָס) indicates dwelling places filled with violence, wrongdoing, and oppression. Chamas is the same word used to describe pre-flood corruption (Genesis 6:11) and injustice throughout the prophets.
The verse connects covenant and justice. God's covenant with Israel was not merely private arrangement but had implications for the entire earth. When God's people suffer under cruelty, His covenant honor is at stake. The appeal asks God to act for His name's sake, to demonstrate that His commitments are reliable.