Psalms

Psalms 74: God remembers His people in ruins

Begin in prayer

Before we hear a prayer among the ruins of worship, let us remember those whose suffering remains unresolved. Ask the saving King for faith through Jesus, so His people may plead His covenant Word while devastation remains.

My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake.

Daniel 9:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God remains His people's saving King when they cannot yet see the end of their trouble. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Asaph's lament asks why God's anger smoulders against the people He redeemed to be His own. Enemies have invaded the sanctuary, smashed its carved work, raised their banners and burned the places where God was worshipped. No prophet can tell the people how long the disaster will last, and the enemy continues mocking God's name. The prayer then remembers God as the ancient King who works salvation, dividing the sea and defeating the power pictured as Leviathan. His command also governs streams, day and night, the earth's boundaries and the seasons. The people plead His covenant, asking Him to protect His helpless dove and let the poor praise His name. The song ends still asking God to arise and defend His own cause while the enemy's uproar continues.

As you read Psalms 74, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God remains His people's saving King in devastation, giving them His covenant as the ground for prayer.

The ruined sanctuary threatens the worship of the whole congregation, who pray as sheep belonging to the God who redeemed them. Enemy banners, smashed carvings and fire have profaned the place where God's name was honoured, giving the invaders a scene for boasting. The absence of prophetic guidance deepens the grief because no one can say how long the enemy's mockery will continue. He asks God to bring out His withdrawn hand and consume the enemy, appealing to the King who works salvation. The divided sea recalls His people's deliverance, while broken sea monsters and Leviathan picture overwhelming hostile power brought low. Streams and rivers also obey Him, while day, night, land and seasons remain the works and possession of this same King. His helpless people are pictured as a dove among wild beasts, asking Him to honour His covenant amid the land's violence. They seek His name's honour and the poor's renewed praise, praying without a recorded answer while the threat still remains.

How does Psalm 74 show us that God remains His people's saving King in devastation, giving them His covenant as the ground for prayer?

God's people may bring the ruin of their worship before Him.

The congregation asks God to remember the people He redeemed and the sanctuary His enemies have burned. Their grief includes the silence of prophecy and the mockery of His name. They ask their King to see the damage and act.

God's past salvation gives His people reason to keep praying.

The sea that once threatened them opened before God's power. Hostile power fell, and the same King commands earth and seasons. Remembered deliverance gives their present grief a sure ground for appeal.

God's covenant gives the helpless hope while trouble remains.

The people pray as a dove with no strength against wild beasts. They ask God to honour His covenant and defend His own cause. They seek rescue so the poor can praise Him, while their enemy's uproar is still heard.

Memorise

Yet God is my King of old, working salvation throughout the earth.

Psalm 74:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what unresolved grief do I need to bring to Jesus today?

The congregation prays, “Honor your covenant”. Their sanctuary lies in ruins, and no one can tell them how long the trouble will last. They appeal to the God who redeemed them and still works salvation.

Our guilt leaves us needing the mercy only this holy God can provide. Jesus died for His people, bearing the punishment of their covenant breaking rebellion. He was raised from death. God has kept His saving promise through His Son, whose accomplished work fully secures His people's forgiveness and welcome.

Turn from your sin and seek mercy through Jesus. Jesus receives sinners who trust Him and grants the forgiveness His accomplished rescue has secured. Bring Him the grief that still has no visible answer, asking for faith to hold His faithful Word. The faithful God hears His people's pleas for His name and receives their longing to worship Him together again.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God remains His people's saving King when they cannot yet see the end of their trouble. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He remains the saving King and hears His people as they plead His faithful promise. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

John 2:19

Saving King, please bring us to Jesus for the pardon His completed sacrifice gives. We pray for Your people whose places of worship have been destroyed and whose grief has no visible end. Defend Your name, stop violent oppression and give the poor reason to praise. Teach us to trust Your faithful promise while we wait for Your help. Amen.