Psalm 74 6

Psalm 74:6 kjv

But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.

Psalm 74:6 nkjv

And now they break down its carved work, all at once, With axes and hammers.

Psalm 74:6 niv

They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets.

Psalm 74:6 esv

And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers.

Psalm 74:6 nlt

With axes and picks,
they smashed the carved paneling.

Psalm 74 verses

Psalm 74 6 Meaning

Psalm 74:6 describes the enemies' destructive actions against the sacred edifice, most likely the Jerusalem Temple. It details how they violently dismantled the highly ornate and valuable wooden paneling and carvings of the sanctuary, using crude and forceful tools like axes and hammers. This act signifies extreme desecration, systematic demolition, and profound disrespect for God's dwelling place, marking the depth of the calamity faced by the people of God.

Psalm 74 6 Context

Psalm 74 is a Maskil, or instructional psalm, attributed to Asaph. It is a heartfelt communal lament, deeply burdened by a severe national catastrophe. The central focus is the desecration and destruction of God's sanctuary. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for God to remember His covenant people and His holy dwelling, which has been utterly laid waste by enemies. Verses 1-3 describe God's apparent abandonment and the enemies' triumph. Verses 4-8 depict the full extent of the enemy's destructive actions within the sanctuary itself, with verse 6 vividly detailing the systematic breaking down of its precious, ornate components. This points strongly to the historical destruction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, as documented in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52, a monumental disaster that shattered Israelite national and religious life. The loss of the physical temple, perceived as the dwelling place of God, was a theological crisis, leading to questions of God's presence, power, and faithfulness. The psalm appeals to God's past acts of power (vv. 12-17) as a basis for renewed intervention, despite the present desolation.

Psalm 74 6 Word analysis

• But now (וְעַתָּה - vᵉ'attāh): This marks a strong transition from a general description of the enemies' presence (v. 4) and initial acts (v. 5) to the full, devastating reality of their ongoing destruction. It signifies an intensified, immediate focus on the violent acts themselves.

• they break down (יְהָלְמוּן - yᵉhalᵉmûn): From the root hālam, meaning "to strike down," "to smite," or "to hammer." It implies a forceful, deliberate, and repeated action, signifying demolition rather than mere felling. The word conveys a brutal and unreserved destruction.

• the carved work (פִּתּוּחֶיהָ - pittûḥehā): This is from pittuaḥ, meaning "engraving," "carving," or "sculptured work." This term refers to the elaborate and artistic decorative wood panels that adorned the interior of the Temple, specifically mentioned in 1 Kgs 6. These were not just functional parts but beautiful, valuable, and religiously significant architectural elements. Their destruction signifies defilement of beauty and sacredness.

• thereof: Refers back to the "sanctuary" or "dwelling place of your name" mentioned earlier in the psalm (e.g., v. 3), explicitly connecting the carved work to the sacred building.

• at once (בְּיָחַד - bᵉyaḥad): This phrase suggests simultaneity or concerted action, implying that the destruction was carried out thoroughly and efficiently by a united force, perhaps emphasizing the speed and completeness of the demolition. Some interpretations suggest "altogether," signifying total demolition.

• with axes (בְּקַרְדֻּמּוֹת - bᵉqardummôth): From qardom, referring to a heavy cutting tool, a battle-axe or a felling axe. These are tools used for rough and forceful chopping, not fine work. Their application underscores the violent and unrefined nature of the demolition, destroying the precision of the carved work.

• and hammers (וְקַפֻּצוֹת - vᵉqappuṣôth): From qappaṣ (related to qâpaṣ "to draw together, leap, spring") perhaps related to an object that hits or bounces back. The precise tool is debated by scholars but generally understood as a heavy crushing tool, a crowbar, or a pickaxe. The pairing with axes indicates instruments designed for breaking and pulverizing hard material, further emphasizing the intent for complete obliteration.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "But now they break down the carved work thereof": This phrase encapsulates the core action: the violent and targeted destruction of the most precious and artistic parts of the sanctuary. It highlights the enemy's specific intent to not only destroy the building but to obliterate its beauty, holiness, and symbols. This stands in stark contrast to the initial construction of the temple, which was done with meticulous craftsmanship and reverence.
  • "at once with axes and hammers": This phrase emphasizes the brutality and efficiency of the destruction. The tools selected (axes, hammers) are not for building or delicate work but for demolition, highlighting the enemies' intent to smash and crush every element of the sacred structure. "At once" suggests a swift and comprehensive attack, leaving no time for rescue or reflection.

Psalm 74 6 Bonus section

The precise term for 'hammers' (וְקַפֻּצוֹת - vᵉqappuṣôth) is quite rare in the Old Testament, adding a layer of descriptive detail to the violence not commonly found. This rarity underscores the unusual and shocking nature of the destructive tools being wielded within such a sacred space. The intricate wood carvings in Solomon's Temple were highly symbolic, depicting cherubim (angelic beings), palm trees (symbols of life and righteousness), and open flowers. Their destruction was not just economic loss, but a smashing of sacred iconography that spoke of divine presence and paradise. The contrast between the deliberate craftsmanship used in building the temple (1 Kgs 6) and the brute force used in destroying it further highlights the blasphemous nature of the act.

Psalm 74 6 Commentary

Psalm 74:6 succinctly describes the profound desecration and systematic destruction of God's sanctuary. The enemy's act of breaking down the elaborate "carved work" (פִּתּוּחֶיהָ - pittûḥehā), which adorned the temple, represents more than mere physical demolition; it symbolizes the crushing of the Israelites' faith and hope, and an assault on the very dwelling place of Yahweh. The use of crude tools like "axes" (qardom) and "hammers" (qappaṣôth) on such exquisite craftsmanship underscores the barbarity and irreverence of the attackers. This was a direct assault on what represented God's beauty, presence, and covenant promises. For the psalm writer, seeing such beauty defiled by instruments of common violence magnified the tragedy. This verse not only chronicles historical destruction but evokes the intense pain of a people whose spiritual home has been utterly laid waste, leaving them to question divine providence in the face of such devastation.