Psalm 74 21

Psalm 74:21 kjv

O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Psalm 74:21 nkjv

Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

Psalm 74:21 niv

Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name.

Psalm 74:21 esv

Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.

Psalm 74:21 nlt

Don't let the downtrodden be humiliated again.
Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 21 Meaning

Psalm 74:21 is a fervent plea to God for divine intervention on behalf of His suffering people, particularly those who are marginalized and afflicted. It expresses the psalmist's hope that God's faithful, though currently oppressed and brought low, will not be utterly humiliated or disappointed in their trust in Him. Instead, it anticipates a future where the humble, the poor, and the needy will have cause to praise and glorify God’s name, having witnessed His righteous deliverance and vindication. It speaks to the vindication of God’s character through the lifting up of His people.

Psalm 74 21 Context

Psalm 74 is a deeply emotive communal lament, one of the most mournful in the Psalter. It portrays the destruction of God's sanctuary (most likely the First Temple during the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC, though some scholars suggest an earlier devastation by Assyria or even an anachronistic prophecy). The psalmist, Asaph, cries out to God, asking why He has seemingly abandoned His people, allowing their enemies to desecrate the holy place and oppress Israel. The psalm vividly describes the temple set ablaze, holy items defiled, and the absence of any prophetic sign (v. 9). Amidst this profound despair and theological struggle, the psalmist appeals to God's past acts of power (creating the heavens, parting the sea) and His enduring covenant. Verse 21, therefore, is a desperate yet hopeful plea at the culmination of the psalm, asserting a belief in God's righteousness and ultimate commitment to His chosen ones. It shifts from lament to a prophetic expression of faith in divine justice, recognizing that if the oppressed remain shamed, God's own name and reputation would be compromised among the nations.

Psalm 74 21 Word Analysis

• Let not the oppressed (אַל יָשׁוּב דַּךְ - ʾal yāshūv dakh):

  • אַל (ʾal): A negative particle, typically used with the imperfect verb to form a strong prohibition or a fervent wish, expressing "let not," "may it not be." It conveys the earnest desire of the psalmist.
  • יָשׁוּב (yāshūv): The verb "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it signifies a return to a former state, specifically implying that they should not "go away" or "remain" in a state of shame.
  • דַּךְ (dakh): Refers to those who are "crushed," "oppressed," "beaten down," "humbled," or "broken." This word encapsulates their current state of profound suffering, both physically and emotionally, due to external persecution and inner despair.

• return ashamed; (כָּלֻם - kalum):

  • כָּלֻם (kalum): A passive participle meaning "ashamed," "disgraced," "disappointed," "humiliated," or "confounded." The core idea is public disgrace or the frustration of hope. The prayer is that those who look to God for deliverance, especially in their vulnerable state, should not be left in a position where their faith seems misguided or where they are mocked for trusting in a God who appears absent.

• let the poor (עָנִי - ʿanî):

  • עָנִי (ʿanî): Denotes "poor," "afflicted," "humble," "lowly," "wretched," or "miserable." This term often carries the nuance of humility that comes through suffering, as well as economic deprivation. It speaks to those who are downtrodden and without recourse in human terms.

• and needy (וְאֶבְיוֹן - vʾevyon):

  • וְ (ve): The conjunction "and," connecting "poor" and "needy," emphasizing the dual aspect of their destitution.
  • אֶבְיוֹן (ʾevyon): Very similar to ʿanî, but often emphasizes extreme destitution, a beggar, one in absolute need. Together, ʿanî and ʾevyon paint a comprehensive picture of complete helplessness and dependency, both physically and socially, embodying those who have no earthly means to defend themselves or reverse their fortune.

• praise your name (יְהַלְלוּ שִׁמֶךָ - yehallelû shimkha):

  • יְהַלְלוּ (yehallelû): From the root hallel, meaning "to praise," "to commend," "to boast," "to glorify." It signifies a heartfelt expression of honor and adoration.
  • שִׁמֶךָ (shimkha): "Your name." In Hebrew thought, the "name" of God (Yahweh) is not merely an appellation but embodies His entire being, character, reputation, attributes, and actions. To praise His name is to acknowledge and extol all that He is and all that He does, particularly His justice, power, and faithfulness as demonstrated in their deliverance.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Let not the oppressed return ashamed": This phrase encapsulates a plea for vindication. The expectation of God’s people is deliverance. To return ashamed means their hope would be shattered, and God’s integrity potentially questioned by the nations who witnessed their suffering. It is a plea for God to act to uphold His own honor and covenant promises, lest the wicked boast against Him (Ps 79:10). This resonates with the biblical theme that God’s glory is intrinsically tied to the well-being of His people (Ezek 36:22-23).
  • "let the poor and needy praise your name": This signifies the desired outcome of God's intervention. Their praise would be a testament to God's righteousness and power. The praise of the humble and afflicted, those who have seen God's salvation most profoundly, carries great weight. It shifts the focus from their present humiliation to their future exaltation of God, affirming His sovereignty over all circumstances and His specific care for the vulnerable (Ps 113:7-9).

Psalm 74 21 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the "poor and needy" (עָנִי and אֶבְיוֹן) throughout the Psalms (and prophetic literature) is significant. These terms do not solely refer to economic poverty but often encompass a spiritual dimension – those who are humble, dependent on God, and afflicted by the unrighteous. They represent the faithful remnant, those who are disenfranchised in the world yet privileged in God's eyes. Their praise is particularly meaningful because it emerges from profound testing and demonstrated divine deliverance. The plea in Ps 74:21 also echoes the principle of divine reversal seen throughout Scripture, where the first become last, and the humble are exalted, often at the hand of God Himself (1 Sam 2:7-8, Lk 1:52). The expectation is that God’s justice will inevitably prevail, validating the faith of His true worshippers and confounding those who defy Him.

Psalm 74 21 Commentary

Psalm 74:21 is a climactic expression of faith and fervent prayer within a profound lament. After recounting the desecration of God's sanctuary and the oppression of His people, the psalmist reaches a point of ultimate trust: an appeal to God's character. The core plea is that God’s humble, beaten-down people – those literally “crushed” (dakh) and utterly dependent (ʿanî and ʾevyon) – should not depart from His presence, or endure their suffering, with their hope dashed or their faith humiliated. Their continued oppression without vindication would not only bring them shame but, more critically, would implicitly discredit the name of the Living God in the eyes of the nations who mocked them.

The psalm envisions a complete reversal of their current state. Instead of silent suffering and public shame, the "poor and needy" are anticipated to "praise Your name." This act of praise would be the direct result of God's just intervention and His demonstration of power on their behalf. It is not merely a request for relief but for a glorious demonstration of God's faithfulness that validates their trust in Him and brings Him ultimate glory. It teaches us that our suffering and ultimate deliverance have a direct bearing on God’s reputation in the world, serving as a powerful testimony to His justice and love. The lament ends not in despair, but in a profound confidence that God will ultimately defend His cause and His people for the sake of His holy name.