Psalm 74 2

Psalm 74:2 kjv

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

Psalm 74:2 nkjv

Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed? This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

Psalm 74:2 niv

Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed? Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

Psalm 74:2 esv

Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt.

Psalm 74:2 nlt

Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,
the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!
And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 2 Meaning

Psalm 74:2 is a passionate plea to God from His people in a time of profound distress, urging Him to recall His ancient covenantal relationship with them and His special claim on their existence and their sacred place of worship. It reminds God of His initial acts of creation, acquisition, and redemption, highlighting the deep, enduring bond established "of old" between the Almighty and His chosen congregation. The verse serves as a foundational argument for divine intervention, rooted in God's faithfulness to His own character and His possessive love for His inheritance and dwelling place, Mount Zion.

Psalm 74 2 Context

Psalm 74 is a Maskil of Asaph, a communal lament characterized by its deep sorrow over the devastation of the sanctuary and the oppression of God's people. The psalmist expresses the deep pain of witnessing the enemy's defilement and destruction of God's holy dwelling place. Historically, this Psalm is widely understood to describe the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, though some scholars suggest it could apply to later desecrations like that by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Verse 2 specifically draws on God's foundational acts in Israel's history – the election, redemption, and establishment of His presence among them – as the very basis for appealing for divine intervention in the present crisis. The contrast between God's historical care and the present desolation provides the impetus for the psalmist's urgent petition. It is a prayer for God to act based on His unchanging nature and His historical covenant commitments, asserting that the present state of affairs is an affront to His own identity and honor.

Psalm 74 2 Word analysis

• Remember (זָכַר, zakhar): More than just intellectual recollection; it implies active engagement and faithful response, particularly in a covenantal context. For God to "remember" His covenant implies He will act in accordance with its terms and His promises, which is what the psalmist desperately desires. It calls upon God's enduring faithfulness despite His apparent absence or inaction.
• thy congregation (עֲדָתְךָ, ʿadātəkhā): This term refers to the gathered assembly or community of Israel, often emphasizing its corporate identity as God's people set apart for His purposes. It highlights their unique relationship with God as His special chosen community.
• which thou hast purchased (קָנִיתָ, qānîta): Signifies ownership through acquisition, creation, or buying. This refers to God's act of acquiring Israel, particularly through the Exodus from Egypt. It stresses God's proprietary rights over His people from the very beginning, affirming His deep, personal investment in them. It signifies that Israel is not just any nation, but God's special possession.
• of old (קֶדֶם, qedeem): Refers to primeval or ancient times, underscoring the long-established, historic nature of God's relationship with Israel. It emphasizes the enduring and timeless aspect of His covenant and commitment, foundational to their identity.
• the rod (שֵׁבֶט, shēḇeṭ): This word can mean "rod," "staff," "scepter," or "tribe." In this context, combined with "inheritance," it most fittingly refers to Israel as God's own tribe, His portion, or the unified entity of His people. It points to their unique status and value as belonging exclusively to God.
• thine inheritance (נַחֲלָתְךָ, naḥălātekhā): Refers to a possession or heritage, something inherited or owned by right. Often applies to the land given to Israel, but also, significantly, to the people of Israel themselves as God's chosen possession. This deepens the concept of divine ownership and a reciprocal relationship.
• which thou hast redeemed (גָּאַלְתָּ, gāʾalətā): Signifies deliverance, rescue, or liberation, especially from bondage, implying a strong, personal intervention, often by paying a price or exercising power (like a kinsman-redeemer). It specifically recalls the Exodus deliverance from slavery in Egypt, God's mighty act of saving His people and bringing them to Himself.
• this mount Zion (הַר צִיּוֹן, har ṣiyyôn): The literal hill in Jerusalem where David built his city and where Solomon's Temple stood. It is profoundly symbolic as the dwelling place of God, the center of His worship, and the focal point of His covenantal presence with His people.
• wherein thou hast dwelt (בּוֹ שָׁכַנְתָּ, bô shākhantā): Implies God's settled, manifested presence (the Shekinah) among His people, first in the Tabernacle and then prominently in the Temple on Zion. It highlights God's choice to physically reside with humanity, making this specific location holy by His very presence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed": This complete phrase links God's people to three defining historical actions: His choice and acquisition "of old," their status as His uniquely designated possession ("rod of inheritance"), and His powerful deliverance of them ("redeemed"). It presents an unbreakable chain of divine initiatives that establish Israel's identity and claim on God's ongoing faithfulness.
• "this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt": This part identifies the specific place on earth chosen by God for His habitation. It underscores the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people, grounding His relationship not only in ancient history but also in a specific sacred space that embodies His faithfulness to dwell among them. The appeal implicitly highlights that the destruction of Zion is an affront to God's own reputation and dwelling place.

Psalm 74 2 Bonus section

The appeal in Psalm 74:2 for God to "remember" is deeply rooted in the biblical concept of God's unchanging faithfulness to His covenants. When humans ask God to "remember," it's not because He is forgetful, but because they are calling upon His covenant faithfulness to His promises. The triple description of Israel—"congregation," "rod of thine inheritance," and "Mount Zion"—underscores the multifaceted nature of God's bond with His people and place, from their very inception, their communal identity, to their sacred locus. This emphasis highlights the irreversible and unconditional nature of God's chosen relationship. The verse's themes foreshadow the New Covenant truth that the church is God's "purchased possession" (Acts 20:28; Eph 1:14; 1 Pet 2:9-10) by the blood of Christ, and that the faithful are citizens of the "heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22), the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people.

Psalm 74 2 Commentary

Psalm 74:2 serves as a theological foundation for the psalmist's urgent plea to God in a time of catastrophic national and spiritual loss. By invoking God's past actions and enduring ownership, the psalmist establishes a powerful case for divine intervention. It's not merely a historical recitation but a theological argument: Because God remembered (acted on His covenant for) His congregation, which He purchased of old and designated as the rod of His inheritance, and redeemed, and because He dwelt on Mount Zion, He is bound by His very character and His established relationship to now act again. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign right and unique claim over Israel and His chosen sanctuary, suggesting that the enemy's devastation is an attack on God Himself. It calls for God to remember not only His people but also His own glory, which is intimately tied to their preservation and the restoration of His dwelling place. It expresses a faith that despite current desolation, God's nature as Redeemer and indwelling King has not changed.