Psalm 74 20

Psalm 74:20 kjv

Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.

Psalm 74:20 nkjv

Have respect to the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty.

Psalm 74:20 niv

Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

Psalm 74:20 esv

Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

Psalm 74:20 nlt

Remember your covenant promises,
for the land is full of darkness and violence!

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 20 Meaning

Psalm 74:20 is a fervent plea from the psalmist to God, urging Him to remember and act upon His divine covenant with His people. The verse highlights the dire situation in the land, portraying it as filled with "habitations of cruelty," implying places or regions where violence, injustice, and oppression are rampant. It is an appeal for God to intervene against the overwhelming wickedness and suffering that have befallen His promised land and His people. The core message is a desperate call for divine faithfulness and action in a world overwhelmed by darkness.

Psalm 74 20 Context

Psalm 74 is a communal lament, often attributed to Asaph. The specific historical setting is likely the destruction of the First Temple and Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, or possibly a later devastating event like the desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the Maccabean period. The psalm describes vivid imagery of a desecrated sanctuary, banners of invaders, and the widespread desolation of the land. The people question why God has abandoned them in their suffering, recounting His mighty acts in creation and urging Him to remember His ancient covenant promises. Verse 20 serves as a powerful concluding appeal within this lament, highlighting the overwhelming state of corruption and violence across the land, a plea for God to recognize this plight and intervene based on His character and covenant faithfulness.

Psalm 74 20 Word analysis

• Regard: The Hebrew word is הַבֵּט (habet), from the root נָבַט (nabat), a Hiphil imperative meaning "look, behold, consider intently, pay attention." It implies a demand for active, conscious, and decisive attention from God, moving beyond mere passive observation to effective intervention.
• your covenant: בְּרִיתְךָ (bĕrît·ḵā). "Berit" refers to a binding agreement, a solemn oath. Here, it specifically denotes God's covenant with Israel, particularly the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants, which promised land, descendants, a king, and a special relationship with God. The psalmist is appealing to God's own self-imposed obligations and promises, emphasizing God's faithfulness and character.
• for: כִּי (ki). A particle introducing the reason or justification for the preceding plea. "Because" or "for this reason."
• the dark places: מַחֲשַׁכֵּי־ (maḥăšaḵê), from the root חֹשֶׁךְ (choshek), meaning "darkness, obscurity." This term can refer literally to dark, remote, hidden places like caves or wilderness regions, often associated with lurking danger, bandits, or dens of animals. Figuratively, it speaks of places of moral and spiritual darkness, where evil flourishes unopposed. It might suggest places beyond the reach of divine law or light, highlighting the pervasive nature of evil.
• of the land: אֶרֶץ (ʼereṣ). Refers to the land of Israel, the Promised Land given by God. The desolation is not just generic but afflicts the very land that bears His promise.
• are full of: מָלְאוּ (mal·ʼû). From the root מָלֵא (male), "to be full, to fill." This conveys the sense of saturation or abundance, indicating that cruelty is not isolated but widespread and dominant.
• habitations of: נְאוֹת (nĕʼôt). From the root נָוֶה (naveh), meaning "dwelling, pasture, fold, abode." It often describes a safe, verdant dwelling place, especially for flocks or people. Here, it is ironically contrasted, referring to dwellings or strongholds of evil-doers. It could imply places where the cruel reside and flourish, or dens where they carry out their deeds, even places thought to be safe but have become centers of violence.
• cruelty: חָמָס (ḥāmās). This is a very strong Hebrew term meaning "violence, injustice, wrongdoing, ruthless acts." It carries the connotation of a transgression against humanity and God, often encompassing both physical and moral atrocities. It's the same word used in Gen 6:11 describing the widespread violence that filled the earth before the flood. Its presence signifies utter moral corruption and disregard for justice and life.

Words-group analysis:

• "Regard your covenant": This is the heart of the plea, urging God to remember His own commitments. It reflects a theological understanding that God is bound by His character and promises. It’s not an appeal to merit but to God's enduring faithfulness.
• "for the dark places of the land are full of habitations of cruelty": This phrase paints a grim picture. "Dark places" can mean literal bandit lairs or spiritually dark, oppressed areas. "Habitations of cruelty" emphasizes that these places are not just visited by violence, but they are filled with it, meaning violence has become deeply embedded, systematized, and dominant within them. The pairing of "dark places" and "cruelty" conveys a state of moral decay and pervasive, unchecked evil affecting every corner of the promised land.

Psalm 74 20 Bonus section

The appeal to God's "covenant" (bĕrît) highlights a distinct characteristic of Israel's relationship with Yahweh, differentiating it from the gods of other nations who made no such binding, reciprocal promises. This concept underpins Israel's entire national identity and theological framework. The psalmist, by appealing to the covenant, implicitly challenges God to demonstrate His active sovereignty and unique relationship with His people against the apparent triumph of pagan forces or general lawlessness. The "dark places" (maḥăšaḵê) could also signify areas under the control of pagan worship or hostile non-Israelite elements, thus serving as a polemic against the efficacy of idols. The use of "ḥāmās" (violence) strongly resonates with biblical accounts of ultimate depravity that warrant divine judgment (e.g., the Noahic flood narrative in Gen 6:11-13), underscoring the severity of the crisis in the land and making the need for God's swift action all the more pressing.

Psalm 74 20 Commentary

Psalm 74:20 is a raw and urgent cry to God, deeply rooted in the theology of covenant. The psalmist appeals directly to God's faithfulness, reminding Him of His promises to His people and His land. This is not an accusatory demand but a desperate prayer born from extreme distress, recognizing that only God's intervention can rectify the devastating situation. The phrase "dark places... full of habitations of cruelty" powerfully conveys the pervasive and entrenched nature of evil and oppression. It signifies that violence (ḥāmās), far from being isolated, has permeated every obscure corner of the land, finding established strongholds where it thrives. This reality stands in stark contrast to God's character of light and justice. The psalmist implores God to act not merely for the sake of the suffering people but for the honor of His own name and the validation of His covenant promises, which seem broken or forgotten in the face of such pervasive darkness. It's a fundamental expression of faith: even amidst unimaginable desolation, the only hope is for God to be God and fulfill His divine commitments.