What is the meaning of Psalm 74:20?

Consider Your covenant

“Consider Your covenant” (Psalm 74:20a)

• The psalmist anchors his plea in God’s unbreakable promises—reminding the Lord of His sworn commitment to His people, just as Moses interceded in Exodus 32:13 when he recounted the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

• Scripture consistently ties God’s intervention to His covenant faithfulness (Genesis 9:16; Leviticus 26:40–42; 2 Samuel 7:28).

• By calling attention to the covenant, the writer expresses confidence that God “will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered” (Psalm 89:34). God’s past fidelity guarantees present hope.

---

for haunts of violence

“for haunts of violence” (Psalm 74:20b)

• The phrase paints a picture of territories overrun by ruthless oppression, echoing the days when “the earth was filled with violence” (Genesis 6:11).

• Such “haunts” expose humanity’s rebellion; prophets lamented similar scenes—Habakkuk 1:2-3 speaks of “violence… strife and contention” filling the land.

• Yet God sees and responds: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless” (Psalm 82:3-4). The psalmist appeals to the covenant God who condemns violence (Proverbs 3:31) and defends the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17).

---

fill the dark places of the land

“fill the dark places of the land” (Psalm 74:20c)

• Darkness in Scripture often signifies moral confusion and spiritual blindness (Job 24:13; Isaiah 60:2). Here it underscores the depth of corruption—violence has saturated every hidden corner.

• Jesus later identifies Himself as “the Light of the world” who shatters such darkness (John 8:12), fulfilling the covenant promise that “those dwelling in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16).

• The psalmist therefore longs for God to act, trusting that the covenant-keeping Lord “rescues us from the domain of darkness” (Colossians 1:13) and restores righteousness to the land (Psalm 85:9-13).

---

summary

Psalm 74:20 is a heartfelt appeal to God’s covenant faithfulness in the face of rampant, oppressive violence that has plunged the land into deep moral darkness. By invoking the covenant, the psalmist confidently expects the Lord to honor His promises, confront evil, and bring light where violence now reigns.