Psalms 74:4
Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.
Original Language Analysis
צֹ֭רְרֶיךָ
Thine enemies
H6887
צֹ֭רְרֶיךָ
Thine enemies
Strong's:
H6887
Word #:
2 of 7
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
in the midst
H7130
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
מוֹעֲדֶ֑ךָ
of thy congregations
H4150
מוֹעֲדֶ֑ךָ
of thy congregations
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
שָׂ֖מוּ
they set up
H7760
שָׂ֖מוּ
they set up
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 7
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Lamentations 2:7The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.Matthew 24:15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Numbers 2:2Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.Revelation 13:6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.Luke 13:1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.Luke 21:20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.2 Chronicles 36:17Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand.Daniel 6:27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Historical Context
The Babylonians didn't merely conquer Jerusalem politically but desecrated the temple religiously, setting up their idols and standards in God's house. This fulfilled warnings in Deuteronomy 28:49-52 and Leviticus 26:31. Similar desecration occurred under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167 BC) when pagan altars were erected in the temple. Jesus prophesied this pattern would repeat (Matthew 24:15, "abomination of desolation").
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when sacred things—worship, Scripture, God's name—are profaned in culture?
- In what ways might subtle forms of idolatry profane the "temple" of your heart (1 Corinthians 6:19)?
- How does Christ's cleansing of the temple picture His ultimate victory over all that defiles worship?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist describes enemy desecration: "Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs" (Hebrew sha-agu tzorereycha b-qerev mo-adekha shamu ototam otot). "Roar" (Hebrew shaag) describes beasts or warriors—barbaric conquest. "Congregations" (Hebrew mo-adim) are appointed meeting places with God. The enemies plant their military standards where worship should occur. This verse captures the horror of sacred space profaned, divine appointments violated. God's dwelling becomes enemy territory.