Psalms 74:3
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Original Language Analysis
הָרִ֣ימָה
Lift up
H7311
הָרִ֣ימָה
Lift up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
1 of 8
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
פְ֭עָמֶיךָ
thy feet
H6471
פְ֭עָמֶיךָ
thy feet
Strong's:
H6471
Word #:
2 of 8
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
נֶ֑צַח
unto the perpetual
H5331
נֶ֑צַח
unto the perpetual
Strong's:
H5331
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֵרַ֖ע
hath done wickedly
H7489
הֵרַ֖ע
hath done wickedly
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
Cross References
Psalms 79:1O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.Lamentations 1:10The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
Historical Context
The destruction of Solomon's temple by Nebuchadnezzar's forces was traumatic for Judah's theology. The temple was not merely a building but the visible symbol of God's presence, the place where heaven touched earth. Its ruin forced Israel to grapple with theodicy: Had God abandoned His people? Was He defeated by foreign gods? Lamentations and Ezekiel wrestle with these same questions.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises or character?
- What does the destruction of the temple teach about the difference between God's presence and religious institutions?
- How does Christ become the true temple, and what does His resurrection mean for the permanence of God's dwelling with us?
Analysis & Commentary
The imperative "lift up thy feet" (Hebrew harimah pe'ameycha) is vivid language urging God to come quickly to survey the devastation. The phrase "perpetual desolations" (Hebrew mashshot netsach) emphasizes the totality and seeming permanence of the destruction. The enemy has "done wickedly in the sanctuary" (Hebrew here'a haoyev baqqodesh), violating the holy place dedicated to God's name. This verse reflects the tension between God's sovereignty and present disaster: how can the temple where God dwelt lie in ruins? The appeal assumes God's honor is at stake in His sanctuary's fate.