October 09, 2024
A Prayer of the Persecuted #
Psalm 74:12
Introduction
This is a Prayer of the Persecuted. The first part of the Psalm very clearly presents the difficulty and problems the Psalmist is facing. This is not just outward, personal, but this is a serious persecution in which the Temple is destroyed. It is very likely a prophetic Psalm looking to the time when the Babylonians come in a burn the temple. There is certainly reference to that in 7-8.
Many Psalms deal with personal conflict, and enemies that would come against them, this Psalm is different in nature because of it’s national overtone. The fact that it is not just one persons struggles, but a religious overthrow makes it stand out as a much more serious issue.
I. Persecution and questions (Psalm 74:1-11) #
A. Why? (1-2) #
1. Why don’t you do something? (1a) #
2. Why are you against us? (1b) #
3. Remember who we are. (2) #
B. What is going on? #
1. Place - In your house (3) – “in the sanctuary” #
2. Public defiance (4) “ensigns for sings” – Flags… don’t we have quite a bit of vulgar flags flying today, voicing their rebellion against God? #
3. Physical destruction (5-8) – Diligent work, destroy #
C. Where are you? (9-10) 1. No sign, or indication #
D. Why has nothing been done? (11) #
II. Praise to God (Psalm 74:12-17) #
A. Salvation Praise (12) “God is my King of old, working salvation” #
1. Possessive Praise! #
2. Positional Praise! #
B. Strength Praise (13-15) #
1. Leviathan – creatures (5x’s in the Bible) #
- Job 41, Ps 74:14, Ps 104:26, Isa 27:1 (twice)
- Not a crocodile – Job 41 – fire breathing sea dragon, likely extinct.
- Isa 27:1 – symbolically used as Satan
Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
2. Sea – fountain & flood (Red sea& world flood) #
C. Sustaining Praise (16-17) Day & Night, seasons #
III. Prayer of the Persecuted (Psalm 74:18-23) #
A. Remember the Cursing of the wicked (18) #
1. Rebellion of wicked! #
B. Remember the Congregation (19) #
C. Remember your Covenant (20-21) #
1. Remind God of his promises made to them. #
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.