Psalm 74 10

Psalm 74:10 kjv

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Psalm 74:10 nkjv

O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?

Psalm 74:10 niv

How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever?

Psalm 74:10 esv

How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?

Psalm 74:10 nlt

How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you?
Will you let them dishonor your name forever?

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 10 Meaning

Psalm 74:10 is a desperate, rhetorical cry to God, questioning the duration of the enemy's blasphemy and disdain for God's holy name. It expresses deep anguish over the ongoing reviling and spurning of the divine character by hostile forces, imploring God to intervene and put an end to this dishonor. It's not a question seeking information, but an urgent plea for God to act decisively in defense of His own glory.

Psalm 74 10 Context

Psalm 74 is a communal lament (a psalm of Asaph), expressed on behalf of the nation following a catastrophic event. While specific dating is debated, it vividly describes the devastating destruction of God's sanctuary, presumably the Temple in Jerusalem, by enemies who not only sack the physical structure but also publicly desecrate holy places and mock the God of Israel. The context suggests a period of national humiliation and spiritual crisis where God seems absent or inactive. The psalm recalls God's past mighty deeds (e.g., the Red Sea, creation) to contrast them with the present desolation and to remind Him of His covenant. Verse 10 directly articulates the people's plea for God to address the affronts to His own divine character and name, which are central to His covenant relationship with Israel and His reputation among the nations. The enemy's actions are not merely military triumphs but theological challenges to YHWH's sovereignty.

Psalm 74 10 Word analysis

• "How long" (עַד־אָ֭נָה - Ad-ʾanah): This is an emphatic rhetorical question commonly found in biblical laments (e.g., Psa 6:3, Psa 13:1). It conveys deep anguish, impatience, desperation, and a strong plea for intervention rather than an actual inquiry about time. It expresses an intolerable state of affairs and appeals to God's timeliness.
• "O God" (אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים - ʾElohim): While Elohim can be a general term for God or gods, in this psalm (as with most psalms addressing Elohim with specific lament and divine intervention sought), it refers to the one true God, the sovereign Lord of creation and the covenant God of Israel, acknowledging His ultimate authority and power to change the situation.
• "is the adversary" (צָר֙ - Tzar): The word tzar means "adversary," "foe," "oppressor," or "one who causes distress." It emphasizes the oppressive and confining nature of the enemy's actions, leading to affliction.
• "to revile?" (יְחָרֵ֥ף - yeḥaref): The verb charaf means "to taunt," "to insult," "to disgrace," or "to mock." It suggests public, vocal, and deliberate scorn, not just against the people but against their God.
• "Is the enemy" (אוֹיֵב֮ - ʾōyev): This term, oyev, denotes a "hostile foe," "one who hates." It is a synonym to tzar, intensifying the description of the malevolent opposition. The parallel use strengthens the complaint.
• "to spurn" (לְנָ֫אֵ֥ץ - lenāʾeṣ): The verb na'atz carries a stronger connotation than "revile." It means "to despise," "to treat with contempt," "to scorn," or "to blaspheme." It implies rejection of God's authority or holiness, treating Him as inconsequential. It is often used of showing utter disrespect for God (e.g., Num 14:11).
• "your name" (שִׁמְךָ֖ - shimkha): In the biblical context, God's "name" (shem) represents His entire being, character, reputation, authority, presence, and all that He has revealed about Himself. To revile or spurn His name is not just to use bad words, but to utterly disregard His power, faithfulness, and very identity, bringing dishonor to His glory. It is the ultimate blasphemy, undermining God's position in the world.
• "forever?" (לָנֶּצַח֘ - lāneṣaḥ): This adverb means "forever," "perpetually," "for eternity." Coupled with "how long," it hyperbolically expresses the overwhelming despair that the current blasphemy and suffering appear to be unending, prompting a desperate appeal for God to put an absolute end to it.

Words-group analysis:

• "How long... forever?": This rhetorical framework of question and extreme temporal expectation (shortening what seems "forever") highlights the urgency and desperation of the plea. It acts as an impatient demand for God's immediate and decisive intervention to halt the prolonged suffering and dishonor.
• "the adversary to revile? Is the enemy to spurn your name?": This synonymous parallelism uses two distinct but related terms for the oppressor ("adversary," "enemy") and two for their contemptuous actions ("revile," "spurn"). Both culminate in the ultimate target: "your name." This emphasizes the relentless, multifaceted nature of the opposition's verbal attacks and precisely identifies the heart of the offense—God's reputation and character are at stake. It is a profound insult to divine majesty.

Psalm 74 10 Bonus section

• Theology of God's Name: The prominence of "your name" in this verse underlines a fundamental biblical theology where God's revealed character, attributes, and power are synonymous with His "name." Its defilement is an attack on His very essence. Therefore, God's self-vindication is intrinsically linked to upholding His name.
• Communal Aspect: Although penned by Asaph, the lament is for the community ("How long..."). This highlights a shared sense of suffering, responsibility, and the collective desire for God's glory to be restored, impacting both individuals and the nation.
• Call to Remembrance: The question "how long" implicitly serves as a reminder to God of His covenant promises and His previous mighty acts (mentioned later in the psalm). It's a prayer rooted in faith, not despair, expressing confidence that God will eventually act because His honor demands it.

Psalm 74 10 Commentary

Psalm 74:10 distills the raw anguish of God's people confronting overwhelming national humiliation. It’s not just about the physical destruction or their personal suffering; the core distress lies in the open and prolonged blasphemy against God Himself. The psalmist questions God’s perceived inaction in the face of His name being mocked by His enemies. The phrases "how long" and "forever" convey a desperate plea, demanding an end to this intolerable state, believing that such blatant disregard for divine honor cannot be God's ultimate will. This cry is a testament to the psalmist's understanding that God's covenant loyalty and His very identity are intertwined with His "name." The prayer implicitly reminds God of His zeal for His own glory, appealing to His character to act on behalf of His reputation, thereby vindicating not only His people but also Himself before the nations. This verse serves as a powerful model for believers to pray with boldness and lament when God's glory appears to be challenged or diminished in the world, recognizing that ultimately, the triumph of evil is an affront to God's holiness and power.

• Example 1: When Christians are ridiculed or persecuted for their faith, this verse inspires prayer for God's intervention not just for relief, but for His name to be honored above all.
• Example 2: In times of spiritual decline where God's truth is openly mocked by society, believers can plead "How long?" for His Spirit to bring revival and re-establish His name.