Psalm 74:11
New International Version
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

New Living Translation
Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.

English Standard Version
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!

Berean Standard Bible
Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!

King James Bible
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.

New King James Version
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.

New American Standard Bible
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Extend it from Your chest and destroy them!

NASB 1995
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!

NASB 1977
Why dost Thou withdraw Thy hand, even Thy right hand? From within Thy bosom, destroy them!

Legacy Standard Bible
Why do You turn back Your hand, even Your right hand? From within Your bosom, destroy them!

Amplified Bible
Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand [from judging the enemy]? Remove Your hand from Your chest, destroy them!

Christian Standard Bible
Why do you hold back your hand? Stretch out your right hand and destroy them!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why do You hold back Your hand? Stretch out Your right hand and destroy them!

American Standard Version
Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? Pluck it out of thy bosom and consume them.

Contemporary English Version
Why don't you punish them? Why are you holding back?

English Revised Version
Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom and consume them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Why do you hold back your hand, especially your right hand? Take your hands out of your pockets. Destroy your enemies!

Good News Translation
Why have you refused to help us? Why do you keep your hands behind you?

International Standard Version
Why do you not withdraw your hand— your right hand—from your bosom and destroy them?

NET Bible
Why do you remain inactive? Intervene and destroy him!

New Heart English Bible
Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!

World English Bible
Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it from your chest and consume them!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Why do You turn back Your hand, "" Even Your right hand? Remove [it] from the midst of Your bosom.

Young's Literal Translation
Why dost Thou turn back Thy hand, Even Thy right hand? From the midst of Thy bosom remove it.

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore wilt thou turn back thy hand, and thy right hand? from the midst of thy bosom completely.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Why dost thou turn away thy hand: and thy right hand out of the midst of thy bosom for ever ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Why do you turn your hand away, even your right hand, from the midst of your sinews, until the end?

New American Bible
Why draw back your hand, why hold back your right hand within your bosom?

New Revised Standard Version
Why do you hold back your hand; why do you keep your hand in your bosom?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy strength from the midst of thy congregation?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Why have you turned your hand and your right hand from within your assembly?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Why withdrawest Thou Thy hand, even Thy right hand? Draw it out of Thy bosom and consume them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Wherefore turnest thou away thine hand, and thy right hand from the midst of thy bosom for ever?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Why Have You Rejected Us Forever?
10How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever? 11Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them! 12Yet God is my King from ancient times, working salvation on the earth.…

Cross References
Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?

Exodus 15:6
Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

Deuteronomy 32:39
See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.

Isaiah 63:12
who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,

Habakkuk 3:4
His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden.

Job 40:9
Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?

Isaiah 59:1
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.

Psalm 89:13
Mighty is Your arm; strong is Your hand. Your right hand is exalted.

Psalm 44:23-26
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever. / Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression? / For our soul has sunk to the dust; our bodies cling to the earth. ...

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!

Ezekiel 20:33-34
As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, with a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will rule over you. / With a strong hand, an outstretched arm, and outpoured wrath I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands to which you have been scattered.

Luke 1:51
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

Acts 4:30
as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”

Revelation 1:16
He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.


Treasury of Scripture

Why withdraw you your hand, even your right hand? pluck it out of your bosom.

withdrawest

Isaiah 64:12
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?

Lamentations 2:3
He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

pluck it out.

Psalm 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Psalm 78:65,66
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine…

Jump to Previous
Bosom Consume Covering Destroy Draw Drawest Folds Garment Hand Hold Keeping Midst Pluck Remove Right Robe Withdraw Withdrawest Within
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Bosom Consume Covering Destroy Draw Drawest Folds Garment Hand Hold Keeping Midst Pluck Remove Right Robe Withdraw Withdrawest Within
Psalm 74
1. The prophet complains of the desolation of the sanctuary
10. He moves God to help in consideration of his power
18. Of his reproachful enemies, or his children and of his covenant.














Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand?
This phrase reflects a plea for divine intervention and protection. The "strong right hand" is a common biblical metaphor for God's power and authority (Exodus 15:6, Psalm 118:16). In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand symbolized strength and skill. The psalmist is questioning why God seems to be withholding His power in a time of distress. Historically, this psalm is attributed to a period of national crisis, possibly during the Babylonian exile, when the Israelites felt abandoned by God. Theologically, this reflects the tension between God's promises and the present reality of suffering, a theme echoed in other lament psalms (Psalm 13, Psalm 22).

Stretch it out to destroy them!
Here, the psalmist is calling for God to act decisively against the enemies of Israel. The request to "stretch it out" recalls the imagery of God’s intervention in the Exodus, where He stretched out His hand to deliver Israel from Egypt (Exodus 7:5). This plea for destruction of enemies aligns with the covenantal promises where God vowed to protect His people against their adversaries (Deuteronomy 28:7). In a broader biblical context, this reflects the eschatological hope for divine justice and the ultimate defeat of evil, a theme that resonates with prophetic literature (Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelation 19:11-21). Theologically, it also points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, as seen in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 74, Asaph was a Levite and one of King David's chief musicians. He is known for his deep and often lamenting psalms that reflect on the struggles and faith of Israel.

2. Israel
The nation of Israel is the primary subject of this psalm, experiencing a period of distress and seeking God's intervention against their enemies.

3. Enemies of Israel
The psalm refers to the adversaries who have brought destruction upon Israel, prompting the plea for divine intervention.

4. God's Right Hand
Symbolic of God's power and authority, often invoked in the Psalms as a means of deliverance and justice.

5. Temple Destruction
The psalm is traditionally associated with the destruction of the Temple, a significant event that led to national mourning and a plea for God's restoration.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Timing
God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. Trust in His wisdom and sovereignty, knowing that His plans are for our ultimate good.

The Power of Lament
Lament is a biblical way to express grief and seek God's intervention. It is a form of prayer that acknowledges our dependence on God and invites His presence into our struggles.

God's Right Hand as a Symbol of Deliverance
The right hand of God symbolizes His power and authority. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God's power is available to them through faith in Christ.

Faith in the Midst of Destruction
Even when circumstances seem dire, maintain faith in God's ability to restore and redeem. He is a God of hope and new beginnings.

Active Waiting on God
While waiting for God's intervention, remain active in prayer, worship, and service. Trust that God is working behind the scenes for His glory and our good.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 74:11?

2. How does Psalm 74:11 encourage us to seek God's intervention in trials?

3. What does "withdraw Your hand" reveal about God's power and presence?

4. How can Psalm 74:11 deepen our trust in God's timing and deliverance?

5. In what ways can we apply Psalm 74:11 to modern-day challenges?

6. How does Psalm 74:11 connect with other scriptures about God's mighty hand?

7. Why does God allow His hand to remain withdrawn in Psalm 74:11?

8. How does Psalm 74:11 challenge the belief in God's constant intervention?

9. What historical context explains the plea in Psalm 74:11?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 74?

11. What does being on fire for God mean?

12. Does God continue to judge nations today?

13. Psalm 48:5-6: Is there any historical or scientific evidence that opposing kings literally 'saw and were amazed' to the point of trembling?

14. Esther 7:7 - Why would King Ahasuerus suddenly abandon the feast in anger without prior indications of Haman's treachery in earlier records of Persian court life?
What Does Psalm 74:11 Mean
Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand?

Psalm 74 opens with devastation: God’s sanctuary burned, people scattered. In verse 11 the psalmist voices the ache of that moment—“Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand?”.

• The “right hand” is the biblical picture of God’s power and victory (Exodus 15:6; Isaiah 41:10). By asking “why,” the writer is not doubting God’s ability but wrestling with His timing, much like Psalm 44:23-24 or Habakkuk 1:2-4.

• The sense of withdrawal underscores the mystery of divine restraint. Scripture affirms that God sometimes delays judgment to accomplish higher purposes—sanctifying His people (Hebrews 12:6-11), allowing time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9), or highlighting His sovereignty (Job 23:8-10).

• Even in apparent silence, God remains faithful. The same hand once split the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31) and fed Israel daily (Exodus 16:11-15); His past acts guarantee His present presence, though unseen (Psalm 77:10-12).

• For believers today, Christ’s crucifixion seemed like the ultimate withdrawal, yet it became the very means of victory (Colossians 2:14-15). What feels like absence can be preparation for a greater display of power.


Stretch it out to destroy them!

The plea continues: “Stretch it out to destroy them!”. The psalmist moves from bewilderment to bold petition, urging God to act as He did against Egypt (Exodus 3:20) and Canaan’s kings (Joshua 10:42).

• This cry flows from covenant confidence. God promised to defend His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9-11); recalling those promises fuels prayer.

• A desire for justice is rooted in God’s own character (Psalm 89:14). Saints under the altar echo a similar plea—“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10).

• Yet Scripture also balances justice with mercy. While the psalmist longs for destruction of the oppressors, later revelation shows God’s ultimate goal is redemption through Christ, who will “avenge” but also “reconcile” all who believe (Romans 5:9-10).

• For the Church, the invitation is to pray both “Your kingdom come” and “Father, forgive them” (Matthew 6:10; Luke 23:34), trusting God to judge rightly (Romans 12:19).


summary

Psalm 74:11 captures the tension between anguish and assurance. The psalmist wonders why God’s mighty hand seems withheld, then boldly asks Him to stretch it out in decisive judgment. Scripture affirms both sentiments: God may appear silent, yet His power never diminishes; He delays for gracious purposes, yet He will unquestionably act in righteousness. Remembering God’s past deliverances fuels present faith, and trusting His character steadies us until His hand moves again in perfect wisdom and timing.

(11) Why withdrawest thou.--Literally, returnest, i.e., into the ample folds of the Eastern robe. The poet is thinking of Exodus 4:7.

Pluck it out of thy bosom.--Literally, out of the midst of thy bosom consume. For the same absolute use of this verb comp. Psalm 59:13. The clause is an instance of pregnant construction (comp. Psalm 74:7), and is plainly equivalent to, Why dost thou not pluck out thy right hand to consume?

Verse 11. - Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? Why dost thou keep back the right hand of thy power, hiding it in thy besom? Why not show forth thy power, and consume them, as it were, in a moment? (See the next clause.) Pluck it out of thy bosom; rather, out with it frown thy bosom, and consume them. The psalmist sees no reason why the Babylonians should not be consumed, and Israel delivered, at once. He has an insufficient sense of the greatness of Israel's sin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Why
לָ֤מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do You withdraw
תָשִׁ֣יב (ṯā·šîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

Your hand?
יָ֭דְךָ (yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

Stretch out
מִקֶּ֖רֶב (miq·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

Your right hand
וִֽימִינֶ֑ךָ (wî·mî·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

and destroy them!
כַלֵּֽה׃ (ḵal·lêh)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent


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OT Poetry: Psalm 74:11 Why do you draw back your hand (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 74:10
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