King James Version

What Does Psalms 74:23 Mean?

Psalms 74:23 in the King James Version says “Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually. increaseth:... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 74 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually. increaseth: Heb. ascendeth

Psalms 74:23 · KJV


Context

21

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

22

Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

23

Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually. increaseth: Heb. ascendeth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Forget not the voice of thine enemies (אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח קוֹל צֹרְרֶיךָ, al-tishkach kol tzorerekha)—Shakach means forget, ignore; kol is voice, sound; tzorerekha means your enemies, adversaries. The tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually (שְׁאוֹן קָמֶיךָ עֹלֶה תָמִיד, she'on kamekha oleh tamid)—She'on is uproar, tumult, din; oleh means rising, ascending; tamid means continually, perpetually.

Psalm 74 is an Asaph psalm lamenting the temple's destruction (likely by Babylon in 586 BC). The enemies mocked God's name (v. 10), desecrated his sanctuary (vv. 3-7), and their arrogance grows daily. "Forget not" is urgent petition: "Don't ignore their blasphemy!" The escalating tumult demands divine intervention. This psalm teaches that God's people may appeal to his honor when their own cause seems lost.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian destruction of Solomon's temple was Israel's greatest catastrophe. The sanctuary where God's glory dwelt was burned, the ark lost, priesthood disrupted, and people exiled. Psalm 74 captures this trauma, crying out for God to remember his covenant and vindicate his name.

Reflection Questions

  1. When injustice or blasphemy seems to escalate unchecked, how do you maintain faith in God's justice?
  2. How does appealing to God's honor (not just our comfort) transform our prayers for intervention?
  3. What does this verse teach about God's patience with blasphemers and his eventual vindication?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
אַל1 of 8
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּ֭שְׁכַּח2 of 8

Forget

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

ק֣וֹל3 of 8

not the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

צֹרְרֶ֑יךָ4 of 8

of thine enemies

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

שְׁא֥וֹן5 of 8

the tumult

H7588

uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction

קָ֝מֶ֗יךָ6 of 8

of those that rise up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֹלֶ֥ה7 of 8

against thee increaseth

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

תָמִֽיד׃8 of 8

continually

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 74:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 74:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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