Psalms 74:23
Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּ֭שְׁכַּח
Forget
H7911
תִּ֭שְׁכַּח
Forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
2 of 8
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
צֹרְרֶ֑יךָ
of thine enemies
H6887
צֹרְרֶ֑יךָ
of thine enemies
Strong's:
H6887
Word #:
4 of 8
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
שְׁא֥וֹן
the tumult
H7588
שְׁא֥וֹן
the tumult
Strong's:
H7588
Word #:
5 of 8
uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction
קָ֝מֶ֗יךָ
of those that rise up
H6965
קָ֝מֶ֗יךָ
of those that rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
6 of 8
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Isaiah 37:29Because 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.Psalms 65:7Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Historical Context
The Babylonian destruction of Solomon's temple was Israel's greatest catastrophe. The sanctuary where God's glory dwelt was burned, the ark lost, priesthood disrupted, and people exiled. Psalm 74 captures this trauma, crying out for God to remember his covenant and vindicate his name.
Questions for Reflection
- When injustice or blasphemy seems to escalate unchecked, how do you maintain faith in God's justice?
- How does appealing to God's honor (not just our comfort) transform our prayers for intervention?
- What does this verse teach about God's patience with blasphemers and his eventual vindication?
Analysis & Commentary
Forget not the voice of thine enemies (אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח קוֹל צֹרְרֶיךָ, al-tishkach kol tzorerekha)—Shakach means forget, ignore; kol is voice, sound; tzorerekha means your enemies, adversaries. The tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually (שְׁאוֹן קָמֶיךָ עֹלֶה תָמִיד, she'on kamekha oleh tamid)—She'on is uproar, tumult, din; oleh means rising, ascending; tamid means continually, perpetually.
Psalm 74 is an Asaph psalm lamenting the temple's destruction (likely by Babylon in 586 BC). The enemies mocked God's name (v. 10), desecrated his sanctuary (vv. 3-7), and their arrogance grows daily. "Forget not" is urgent petition: "Don't ignore their blasphemy!" The escalating tumult demands divine intervention. This psalm teaches that God's people may appeal to his honor when their own cause seems lost.