Remember This – Psalm 74:2, 18-23

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 74 can be divided into three divisions:
              I.  The Complaint of a Troubled Heart (Psalm 74:1-11)
             II.  The Turning Point of a Confident Faith (Psalm 74:12-17)
            III.  The Cry of a Trusting Heart (Psalm 74:18-23)

Under the third division, we find a four-fold request in the cry of a trusting heart. 

(Indeed, this request and cry is first engaged in verse 2, but is quickly eclipsed by the spirit of trouble and com-plaint.  Yet with the return unto the spirit of trust and confidence, it is reengaged in verses 18-23.  Throughout, the central request is for the Lord to remember; for three times the psalmist asks for the Lord to remember (in verses 2, 18, 22), and two times he asks for the Lord to forget not (in verses 19, 23).  Yea, all of this surrounds the request in verse 20 for the Lord to have respect (be faithful) unto His own covenant with his chosen congre-gation.  In addition, the psalmist presents his request in a manner that is intended to be personal for the Lord.)

The Cry of a Trusting Heart

1.  Remember thy congregation, whom thou redeemed.

Psalm 74:2 – “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.”

            A.  Whom thou hast redeemed with a price of old.
            B.  Whom thou hast chosen for thine inheritance.
            C.  With whom thou hast promised to abide.

2.  Remember the enemies’ reproach against thy name.

Psalm 74:18 – “Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.”

Psalm 74:22b-23 – “Remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.  Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.”

            A.  The enemy reproaches thy name.
            B.  The enemy reproaches thee daily.
            C.  The enemy reproaches thee increasingly.

3.  Have Respect unto thy covenant with thy poor people.

Psalm 74:19-21 – “O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the con-gregation of thy poor for ever.  Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.  O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.”

(It is worthy of notice that the psalmist present this portion of his request from the negative perspective – that the Lord not fail in His faithfulness.  “O deliver not . . . .”  “Forget not . . . for ever.”  “O let not . . . .”  It is also worthy of notice that the psalmist concludes this portion of his request by asking for the Lord to so move that His poor people might praise His name, placing this request in direct contrast to the enemies’ reproach and blasphemy against the Lord’s name.)

            A.  Because the earth is full of cruel oppression.
            B.  To deliver thy poor people from wicked oppressors.
            C.  To demonstrate the praise of thy faithfulness.

4.  Rise up to plead thine own cause.

Psalm 74:22 – “Arise, O God, plead thine own cause.”

            A.  For the sake of thy congregation.
            B.  For the sake of thy name.
            C.  For the sake of thy covenant.

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Prayer, Trust in God, Deliverance of Our Lord, Rebellion against God,
Faithfulness of Our Lord

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