What is the meaning of Psalm 74:18? Remember Psalm 74 opens with a plea from Asaph, and this word “Remember” frames the heart-cry. • It is an appeal to God’s covenant faithfulness, much like Exodus 2:24 where “God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant.” • The psalmist is not implying that God forgets; he is urging God to act on promises already made (see Isaiah 49:15-16; Psalm 106:4). • In prayer we likewise call to mind what the Lord has said, anchoring our requests in His unchanging character (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 10:23). By beginning here, the verse teaches believers to ground intercession in God’s steadfast record rather than fleeting emotions. how the enemy has mocked You Mockery signifies open contempt for God. • Goliath “cursed David by his gods” (1 Samuel 17:43-45), yet David recognized the taunt was really against “the armies of the living God.” • Hezekiah faced Sennacherib, whose messengers “spoke against the LORD God” (2 Chronicles 32:16). God took the insults personally and delivered Judah. • In Acts 4:25-26, the church cited Psalm 2:1-2—“Why do the nations rage…?”—seeing Christ Himself mocked by rulers. The verse reminds us that opposition to God’s people is ultimately hostility toward God. The psalmist is confident that the Lord will defend His own honor. O LORD The covenant name Yahweh is used. • It recalls Exodus 3:14 where God reveals Himself as “I AM,” the self-existent One. • Calling on this name highlights relationship; the psalmist is not addressing a distant deity but the God who chose Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-9). • When believers say “Lord,” we echo Romans 10:13: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Thus the verse models how to approach God—personally, reverently, relying on His revealed character. how a foolish people has spurned Your name To be “foolish” in Scripture is moral, not intellectual (Psalm 14:1). • Spurning God’s name is to reject His authority and reputation (Malachi 1:6-7). • Proverbs 1:7 warns that despising wisdom equals despising the Lord. • Jesus said, “Whoever rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me” (Luke 10:16), showing continuity from Old to New Testament. The psalmist points out that contempt for God is folly because it invites judgment (Psalm 50:22). He appeals to God to vindicate Himself and to turn foolish hearts to wisdom. summary Psalm 74:18 teaches us to pray earnestly when God’s honor is maligned. We remind the Lord—who never forgets—of His covenant, confident He will act. Enemies may mock and the foolish may spurn His name, yet the covenant-keeping LORD remains committed to His people and His glory. Our response is to anchor every plea in His promises, trust His vindication, and live so that His name is honored. |
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