Psalms 74:11
Psalms 74:11 in Multiple Translations
Why do You withdraw Your strong right hand? Stretch it out to destroy them!
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? Pluck it out of thy bosom and consume them.
Why are you keeping back your hand, and covering your right hand in your robe?
Why do you hold back from doing something? Take action and destroy them!
Why withdrawest thou thine hand, euen thy right hand? drawe it out of thy bosome, and consume them.
Why dost Thou turn back Thy hand, Even Thy right hand? From the midst of Thy bosom remove [it].
Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it from your chest and consume them!
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.
And I will break all the horns of sinners: but the horns of the just shall be exalted.
Why do you refuse to help [MTY, RHQ] us? Why do you keep your hand inside your cloak instead of using it to destroy our enemies [RHQ]?
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 74:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 74:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לָ֤/מָּה
תָשִׁ֣יב
יָ֭דְ/ךָ
וִֽ/ימִינֶ֑/ךָ
מִ/קֶּ֖רֶב
חוק/ך
חֵֽיקְ/ךָ֣
כַלֵּֽה
לָ֤/מָּה
mâh
H4100
what?
Prep | Part
תָשִׁ֣יב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
יָ֭דְ/ךָ
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
וִֽ/ימִינֶ֑/ךָ
yâmîyn
H3225
Ben]jamin
Conj | N-fs | Suff
מִ/קֶּ֖רֶב
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms
חוק/ך
chôq
H2706
statute
N-ms | Suff
חֵֽיקְ/ךָ֣
chêyq
H2436
bosom
N-ms | Suff
כַלֵּֽה
kâlâh
H3615
to end
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 74:11
לָ֤/מָּה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
תָשִׁ֣יב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
יָ֭דְ/ךָ
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וִֽ/ימִינֶ֑/ךָ
yâmîyn
H3225
"Ben]jamin"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18; son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354); brother of: Joseph (H3130); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x Another name of bin.ya.min (בִּנְיָמִין "Benjamin" H1144G)
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. See also: Genesis 13:9; Psalms 18:36; Psalms 16:8.
מִ/קֶּ֖רֶב
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
חוק/ך
chôq
H2706
"statute"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a decree or law given by God, like the Ten Commandments. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy, guiding the Israelites' actions. This concept is essential to understanding God's expectations.
Definition: : decree 1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due 1a) prescribed task 1b) prescribed portion 1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve 1d) prescribed due 1e) prescribed limit, boundary 1f) enactment, decree, ordinance 1f1) specific decree 1f2) law in general 1g) enactments, statutes 1g1) conditions 1g2) enactments 1g3) decrees 1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. See also: Genesis 47:22; Nehemiah 1:7; Psalms 2:7.
חֵֽיקְ/ךָ֣
chêyq
H2436
"bosom"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for bosom refers to the chest area, often used figuratively to describe a close or intimate relationship, as seen in the KJV translations of bosom, lap, or midst.
Definition: : embrace/chest bosom, hollow, bottom, midst
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: bosom, bottom, lap, midst, within. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 79:12; Psalms 35:13.
כַלֵּֽה
kâlâh
H3615
"to end"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to finish or end something, like completing a task or using up a resource, as seen in Genesis 2:2 where God finished creating the heavens and earth.
Definition: : finish 1) to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be complete, be at an end 1a2) to be completed, be finished 1a3) to be accomplished, be fulfilled 1a4) to be determined, be plotted (bad sense) 1a5) to be spent, be used up 1a6) to waste away, be exhausted, fail 1a7) to come to an end, vanish, perish, be destroyed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to complete, bring to an end, finish 1b2) to complete (a period of time) 1b3) to finish (doing a thing) 1b4) to make an end, end 1b5) to accomplish, fulfil, bring to pass 1b6) to accomplish, determine (in thought) 1b7) to put an end to, cause to cease 1b8) to cause to fail, exhaust, use up, spend 1b9) to destroy, exterminate 1c) (Pual) to be finished, be ended, be completed
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly), be (when... were) done, (be an) end (of), expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, [idiom] fully, [idiom] have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean riddance, spend, quite take away, waste. See also: Genesis 2:1; 2 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 18:38.
Study Notes — Psalms 74:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 74:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 74:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 74:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 74:11
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 74:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
- Sermons on Psalms 74:11
Context — Why Have You Rejected Us Forever?
9There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last.
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. 13You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 2:3 | In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it. |
| 2 | Psalms 78:65–66 | Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine. He beat back His foes; He put them to everlasting shame. |
| 3 | Psalms 44:23 | Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever. |
| 4 | Isaiah 64:12 | After all this, O LORD, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure? |
Psalms 74:11 Summary
[This verse is a cry from the heart of the psalmist, asking God why He seems to be holding back His power and protection. The psalmist is saying, 'God, why are You not using Your power to destroy our enemies and save us?' (as seen in Psalms 74:11). The idea is that God's 'strong right hand' is a symbol of His power and might, and when He withdraws it, it feels like He is abandoning us. But the Bible reminds us that God is always with us, even when we can't feel Him, as expressed in Hebrews 13:5, which says 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' The psalmist is not giving up on God, but rather, he is crying out to Him for help and salvation, as seen in Psalms 74:12, which says 'Yet God is my King from ancient times, working salvation on the earth.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'withdraw His strong right hand'?
This phrase is a metaphor for God's power and protection, as seen in Psalms 118:16, where it says 'The Lord’s right hand has accomplished mighty deeds!' When God withdraws His right hand, it means He is choosing not to exercise His power in a particular situation, which can be perplexing and troubling for believers, as expressed in Psalms 74:11.
Why would God allow His enemies to taunt Him and revile His name?
According to Psalms 50:21, God sometimes allows His enemies to blaspheme Him in order to test the faith of His people and to demonstrate His patience and long-suffering, as seen in Romans 2:4, which says 'Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?'
How can we reconcile the idea of a powerful God with the fact that He sometimes seems distant or unresponsive?
The Bible teaches that God's ways are not our ways, and His timing is not our timing, as expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9, which says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'
What is the appropriate response for believers when they feel like God is withdrawing His hand?
Believers should respond with faith, trust, and prayer, as expressed in Psalms 73:28, which says 'But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some situations in my life where I feel like God is withdrawing His hand, and how can I trust Him in those moments?
- How can I balance the tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, as expressed in this verse?
- In what ways can I 'stretch out' my own hands to serve and worship God, even when I feel like He is distant?
- What are some ways that I can join with the psalmist in crying out to God for deliverance and salvation, as expressed in Psalms 74:11?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 74:11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even that right hand?.... By which is meant the power of God; by which he made the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, and supports them in their beings; by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 74:11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom. Why withdrawest thou ... thy right hand? - the symbol of God's might. Why dost thou remain an inactive spectator of our wrongs?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand? why dost thou suspend or forbear the exercise of that power, which thou hast so oft put forth on the behalf of thy people? Pluck it out of thy bosom, in which thou now seemest to hide it, as idle persons use to do, 26:15. Bestir thyself on the behalf of thy people.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
Psalms 74:11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.Ver. 11. Why withdrawest thou thy hand] Some by hand understand the left hand, and so both hands are withdrawn, yea, held behind ( retrovertis), after the manner of those that have little to do, and less to care for. Out of thy bosom] Another posture to the same purpose, Proverbs 19:24; Proverbs 26:15.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
(11) Why withdrawest thou.—Literally, returnest, i.e., into the ample folds of the Eastern robe. The poet is thinking of Exo 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. Psalms 59:13. The clause is an instance of pregnant construction (comp. Psalms 74:7), and is plainly equivalent to, Why dost thou not pluck out thy right hand to consume?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
Verse 11. Why withdrawest thou thy hand] It has been remarked, that as the outward habit of the easterns had no sleeves, the hands and arms were frequently covered with the folds of the robe; and in order to do any thing, the hand must be disentangled and drawn out. The literal version of the Hebrew is: "To what time wilt thou draw back thy hand; yea, thy right hand, from within thy bosom?" Consume; that is, manifest thy power, and destroy thy adversaries. I have, in the introduction to the book of Psalms, spoken of the old metrical version by Sternhold and Hopkins, and have stated that it was formed from the original text. A proof of this may be seen by the learned reader in this and the preceding verse; where, though their version is harsh, and some of their expressions quaint almost to ridicule, yet they have hit the true meaning which our prose translators have missed: - Ver. 10. When wilt thou once, Lord, end this shame, And cease thine en'mies strong? Shall they always blaspheme thy name, And rail on thee so long? Ver. 11. Why dost thou draw thy hand aback, And hide it in thy lap? O pluck it out, and be not slack To give thy foes a rap!
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 74:11
11. Why drawest thou back thy hand, even thy right hand? (Pluck it) out of thy bosom (and) consume (them). The right hand which in days of old was stretched out to annihilate the Egyptians (Exodus 15:12), is now as it were thrust idly into the folded garment. Cp. Lamentations 2:3.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 74:11
Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? - Why dost thou not stretch forth thy hand for our deliverance?
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 74:11
11. Pluck it out of thy bosom—With the orientals the hand in the bosom indicates a state of rest, inaction.
Sermons on Psalms 74:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prayer in the Time of Trouble by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the issue of seeking righteous judgment from God in the face of an ungodly nation. He begins by acknowledging the sad reality of a nati |
|
Why God Allows Suffering by Roy Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrasting elements of the world we live in. He uses the analogy of two painters working on the same canvas, one creating a beautiful pi |
|
The Breaking Point by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the struggles many Christians, particularly the youth, face at their breaking point, feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures, personal crises, and menta |
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When Heaven Is Silent by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the challenging experience of silence from heaven during prayer, emphasizing that it can be a time of instruction, conviction, and character building. He en |