Psalms 74:22

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

קוּמָ֣ה Arise H6965
קוּמָ֣ה Arise
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 1 of 10
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֱ֭לֹהִים O God H430
אֱ֭לֹהִים O God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 2 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
רִיבָ֣ה plead H7378
רִיבָ֣ה plead
Strong's: H7378
Word #: 3 of 10
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
רִיבֶ֑ךָ thine own cause H7379
רִיבֶ֑ךָ thine own cause
Strong's: H7379
Word #: 4 of 10
a contest (personal or legal)
זְכֹ֥ר remember H2142
זְכֹ֥ר remember
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
חֶרְפָּתְךָ֥ reproacheth H2781
חֶרְפָּתְךָ֥ reproacheth
Strong's: H2781
Word #: 6 of 10
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
מִנִּי H4480
מִנִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 7 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נָ֝בָ֗ל how the foolish man H5036
נָ֝בָ֗ל how the foolish man
Strong's: H5036
Word #: 8 of 10
stupid; wicked (especially impious)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּֽוֹם׃ thee daily H3117
הַיּֽוֹם׃ thee daily
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 10 of 10
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

The psalm concludes with an appeal to God's own honor: "Arise, O God, plead thine own cause" (Hebrew qumah Elohim rivah riveka). The doubling of the verb "plead" (rivah riveka) intensifies the petition—this is God's legal case, His covenant lawsuit against those who blaspheme Him. "Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily" connects the enemies' mockery to God's reputation. The word "foolish" (Hebrew naval) indicates not intellectual deficiency but moral-spiritual rebellion (cf. Psalm 14:1, "The fool says in his heart there is no God"). God's glory, not merely Israel's welfare, is at stake.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare was understood as conflict between national deities. When Babylon conquered Judah, pagans interpreted this as Marduk's superiority over Yahweh. The daily reproach refers to ongoing mockery from enemies who saw the temple's destruction as proof of God's weakness. This context explains why the psalmist frames his appeal around God's honor rather than just Israel's suffering.

Questions for Reflection