This psalm is entitled “Maschil of Asaph.” On the word Maschil - meaning “didactic,” or adapted “to give instruction” - see the notes at the title to Psalms 32:1-11. On the phrase “of Asaph,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 73. It may mean either “for” Asaph, or ““of” Asaph; that is, it may either mean that it was composed “by” him, or that it was composed “for” him, to be used by him as the leader of music in public worship. The former is the most common, and the most probable opinion. The title, however, “may” mean that the psalm was dedicated or composed for one of the descendants of this Musician, among whom the office of their ancestor Asaph was hereditary. Thus understood, it might denote simply that the psalm belonged to that class of psalms which were composed for the one who, at the time, presided over the music.
If this is the meaning, there would be no impropriety in supposing that this psalm was composed near the time of the captivity, and had reference to the struction of the temple by the Chaldeans, to which the language seems “naturally” to refer. Yet the occasion on which it was composed is not certainly known, and cannot be ascertained from the psalm. All that is manifest is, that it was at a time when the land was invaded; when great ravages were committed; and when a work of desolation was perpetrated on the edifices upon Mount Zion, and particularly on the temple. The “language” could be applied either to the destruction of the temple in the time of the Babylonian invasion; or to the times of the Maccabees, and to the desolations brought upon the land Antiochus Epiphanes; or to some desolation before the temple was built. Rosenmuller, Venema, DeWette, some others, suppose that the reference is to the time of the Maccabees. The reason alleged for this opinion is founded on what is said in Psalms 74:4, Psalms 74:9, particularly Psalms 74:9, where it is asserted that “there is no more any prophet;” that is, no one to instruct the people, or to declare what the result or the issue will be.
It is alleged by them that at the time of the invasion by the Chaldeans there were prophets in the land, and particularly that Jeremiah was then living, who distinctly predicted what the result of it would be. But this is not a conclusive objection to the idea that the reference is to the destruction of the city and the temple by the Chaldees. The meaning of Psalms 74:9 may be that there was no divine teacher who could “save” the people, or who could “prevent” those desolations; the matter had gone so far that all divine interference and protection appeared to be withdrawn, and the nation seemed to be abandoned to its fate. Still there can now be no certainty as to the time or the occasion when the psalm was composed; though the most probable reference of the psalm is to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.
The psalm consists essentially of two parts: a prayer; and the reasons why the prayer is urged, and should be answered.
I. The prayer, Psalms 74:1-3. It is a prayer that God would remember Mount Zion, now made desolate, or in ruins.
II. The reasons why the prayer is urged, Psalms 74:4-23.
(1) The desolations which had come upon the city and upon the edifices devoted to religion, Psalms 74:4-8.
(2) The fact that there was among the people, in those times of calamity, no prophet - no messenger of God - no one to show them how long this would continue, or to give them assurance that these desolations would cease, Psalms 74:9-11.
(3) A reference to what God had done for his people in former times when he interposed to save them from their enemies, Psalms 74:12-15.
(4) The fact that God rules over the earth, and has control of all things; that day and night, light and darkness, summer and winter, are all under him, and are directed and controlled by him, Psalms 74:16-17.
(5) A prayer that God would not forget his own cause; that he would remember that these reproaches were reproaches of his own name; that he would call to mind his own solemn covenant; and that he would pity and relieve the people that loved him, now poor and oppressed - the people that desired to serve and praise him, Psalms 74:18-23.