Psalm 74 5

Psalm 74:5 kjv

A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.

Psalm 74:5 nkjv

They seem like men who lift up Axes among the thick trees.

Psalm 74:5 niv

They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.

Psalm 74:5 esv

They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees.

Psalm 74:5 nlt

They swung their axes
like woodcutters in a forest.

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 5 Meaning

Psalm 74:5 vividly portrays the overwhelming and destructive force of the enemies. It likens their attack on the holy sanctuary to a massive undertaking of woodsmen vigorously wielding axes to chop down a dense, impenetrable forest or thicket of trees. This imagery conveys a sense of methodical, relentless, and comprehensive demolition, treating the sacred and revered dwelling place of God as nothing more than raw material to be ruthlessly cleared away. The verse captures the shock and devastation experienced by the Psalmist as God's sanctuary is laid waste.

Psalm 74 5 Context

Psalm 74 is a Maskil of Asaph, a lament composed after a national catastrophe, most likely the destruction of the First Temple and Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Psalmist pours out the heart-wrenching plea to God, asking "Why have you cast us off forever?" (v. 1). The psalm details the comprehensive devastation: the enemy's roar in the sanctuary (v. 4), their flags raised as signs (v. 4), and the physical demolition of the sacred architecture, particularly the ornate wood carvings (v. 6). Verse 5 fits squarely within this description, serving as an introductory image of the methodical and violent nature of the attack, setting the scene for the full horror that follows, where God's very dwelling place is laid waste, His signs are removed, and the prophets are silenced (v. 8-9). It expresses the utter shock and confusion of a people whose core identity, centered around the Temple and God's visible presence, has been shattered.

Psalm 74 5 Word analysis

• They seemed (כְּמֵבִיא - k'mevia'): The Hebrew 'k' (כְּ) means "like" or "as." 'Mevia'' (מֵבִיא) comes from the root 'bua' (בוא), meaning "to come," or in the causative form, "to bring," "to raise," or "to lead." Thus, "as one bringing" or "as one raising up." This active participle suggests the deliberate and conscious action of the perpetrators.

• men wielding (לְמָעְלָה - l'ma'lah): This adverb literally means "upward" or "against." When combined with "bringing" or "raising," it paints a picture of axes being lifted high and brought down against something with force. It describes the upward motion before the strike.

• axes (קַרְדֻּמּוֹת - kardummot): The word for "axes" is 'kardom' (קַרְדֹּם), used here in the plural. An axe is a tool designed for cutting and demolition. The plural emphasizes the multitude of attackers and the collective, pervasive nature of the destruction. It is a symbol of brute force and clear intent to destroy.

• to cut through / against (בְּסָבָךְ עֵץ - b'savakh 'etz):

  • בְּ (b'): "in," "on," or "against." Here it denotes the target of the action.
  • סָבָךְ (savakh): A "thicket," "dense growth," or "intertwined mass of trees/bushes." This term can imply something formidable or difficult to penetrate, requiring significant effort to clear. It appears in the Bible to describe dense vegetation (e.g., in Gen 22:13, where a ram is caught in a thicket).
  • עֵץ ('etz): "tree" or "wood." In this context, it clarifies that the 'thicket' is made of trees, reinforcing the image of a forest or wooded area.

• Words-group analysis:

  • כְּמֵבִיא לְמָעְלָה קַרְדֻּמּוֹת (k'mevia' l'ma'lah kardummot): "Like one bringing up axes." This phrase describes the violent, deliberate act of preparing to strike with axes. It highlights the aggressive, assaultive nature of the enemy's actions, emphasizing the effort and intention behind the destruction. This is not casual vandalism but a systematic effort.
  • בְּסָבָךְ עֵץ (b'savakh 'etz): "against a thicket of trees." This provides the target of the destruction. The image of a "thicket of trees" signifies a deep, perhaps wild or primal, setting. It stands in stark contrast to the sophisticated, divinely ordained structure of the Temple. By depicting the Temple as a mere "thicket of trees," the enemies diminish its sacredness and the difficulty in razing it, suggesting they saw it as raw material or an obstruction to be removed.

Psalm 74 5 Bonus section

The destruction of the physical Temple described in Psalm 74 forced a profound theological shift in Israel's understanding of God's presence. While the Temple was central to Israelite worship and identity for centuries, its destruction paved the way for a more portable and internal understanding of faith, especially during the Babylonian exile. Later, in the New Testament, this historical event foreshadows the temporary nature of physical temples. Jesus himself prophesies the ultimate destruction of the second Temple (Mt 24:1-2), and the Apostle Stephen articulates that "the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48). Ultimately, in Christ, and then through the Holy Spirit within believers, God's true "temple" became a spiritual reality, not confined to physical structures (Eph 2:21-22). This verse, therefore, acts as a crucial historical and spiritual marker, highlighting the vulnerability of physical symbols and the ultimate resilience of God's spiritual kingdom, which no axe can fell.

Psalm 74 5 Commentary

Psalm 74:5 opens a poignant depiction of desolation, expressing the sheer horror and disbelief over the Temple's ruin. The analogy of enemies "wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees" is not merely descriptive; it's a profound theological statement. It portrays the destruction as a forceful, premeditated act, akin to woodsmen clearing a dense forest. This conveys the methodical thoroughness with which the enemy attacked, leaving no stone unturned or beam uncut. The sacred "house" of God (the Temple), painstakingly built and filled with rich carvings, is treated as nothing more than an undifferentiated mass of "trees," losing its distinct identity and sacred status in the eyes of the invaders. This imagery also subtly challenges the prevailing belief that the Temple, as God's dwelling, was impregnable. The enemies acted with impunity, demonstrating their contempt for Yahweh's perceived weakness. This moment became a severe theological crisis for Israel, prompting deep reflection on God's covenant, presence, and His hiddenness in a time of overwhelming distress. It underscores that judgment can even befall the most sacred of spaces when covenant faithfulness is lacking or when God allows His purposes to unfold through destructive means, as He uses foreign nations as instruments of His discipline (Isa 10:5).