Psalms 74:3
Psalms 74:3 in Multiple Translations
Turn Your steps to the everlasting ruins, to everything in the sanctuary the enemy has destroyed.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual ruins, All the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary.
Go up and see the unending destruction; all the evil which your haters have done in the holy place;
Come and walk through the complete devastation. The enemy has totally destroyed your Temple.
Lift vp thy strokes, that thou mayest for euer destroy euery enemie that doeth euill to the Sanctuarie.
Lift up Thy steps to the perpetual desolations, Everything the enemy did wickedly in the sanctuary.
Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.
Lift up thy feet to the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
When I shall take a time, I will judge justices.
Walk along and see where everything has been totally ruined; our enemies have destroyed everything in the sacred temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 74:3
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 74:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָרִ֣ימָ/ה
פְ֭עָמֶי/ךָ
לְ/מַשֻּׁא֣וֹת
נֶ֑צַח
כָּל
הֵרַ֖ע
אוֹיֵ֣ב
בַּ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
הָרִ֣ימָ/ה
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
פְ֭עָמֶי/ךָ
paʻam
H6471
beat
N-fp | Suff
לְ/מַשֻּׁא֣וֹת
mashshûwʼâh
H4876
desolation
Prep | N-fp
נֶ֑צַח
netsach
H5331
perpetuity
N-ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הֵרַ֖ע
râʻaʻ
H7489
be evil
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
אוֹיֵ֣ב
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal
בַּ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 74:3
הָרִ֣ימָ/ה
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
פְ֭עָמֶי/ךָ
paʻam
H6471
"beat"
N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.
Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.
לְ/מַשֻּׁא֣וֹת
mashshûwʼâh
H4876
"desolation"
Prep | N-fp
This Hebrew word means desolation or ruin, describing a state of complete destruction. It is used in the Bible to convey a sense of devastation. In the KJV, it is translated as desolation or destruction.
Definition: desolation, ruin
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: desolation, destruction. See also: Psalms 73:18; Psalms 74:3.
נֶ֑צַח
netsach
H5331
"perpetuity"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הֵרַ֖ע
râʻaʻ
H7489
"be evil"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.
אוֹיֵ֣ב
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
בַּ/קֹּֽדֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
Prep | N-ms
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
Study Notes — Psalms 74:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 74:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 74:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 74:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 74:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 74:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
- Sermons on Psalms 74:3
Context — Why Have You Rejected Us Forever?
1Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
2Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance— Mount Zion, where You dwell.
3Turn Your steps to the everlasting ruins, to everything in the sanctuary the enemy has destroyed.
4Your foes have roared within Your meeting place; they have unfurled their banners as signs, 5like men wielding axes in a thicket of treesCross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 1:10 | The adversary has seized all her treasures. For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary— those You had forbidden to enter Your assembly. |
| 2 | Psalms 79:1 | The nations, O God, have invaded Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple and reduced Jerusalem to rubble. |
| 3 | Daniel 9:17 | So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. |
| 4 | Psalms 44:23 | Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever. |
| 5 | Daniel 11:31 | His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. |
| 6 | Nehemiah 2:3 | and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” |
| 7 | Luke 21:24 | They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. |
| 8 | Daniel 9:27 | And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him. ” |
| 9 | Psalms 102:13–14 | You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor— the appointed time has come. For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust. |
| 10 | Nehemiah 2:13 | So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire. |
Psalms 74:3 Summary
Psalms 74:3 is a prayer asking God to pay attention to the destruction that the enemy has caused in His sanctuary. The Psalmist is asking God to take notice of the ruins and to take action against the enemy. This verse reminds us that God is a God of restoration and redemption, as seen in Isaiah 61:4, and that He desires to rebuild and restore what has been destroyed. By praying like the Psalmist, we can trust God to intervene in the midst of chaos and destruction, and to bring restoration and renewal to our lives, just as He promises in Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the everlasting ruins' mean in Psalms 74:3?
The phrase 'the everlasting ruins' refers to the long-standing and perpetual state of destruction that the enemy has brought upon God's sanctuary, as seen in Psalms 74:3, which is a call to God to take notice of and act upon the devastation (see also Lamentations 5:18).
Why does the Psalmist ask God to 'turn Your steps' to the ruins?
The Psalmist asks God to 'turn Your steps' to the ruins as a plea for God to intervene and take action against the enemy's destruction, much like God's intervention in Exodus 14:13-14, where He delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians.
Who is the 'enemy' that has destroyed the sanctuary?
The 'enemy' in Psalms 74:3 likely refers to a foreign power or nation that has invaded and desecrated the temple or place of worship, as seen in 2 Kings 25:8-9, where the Babylonians destroyed the temple in Jerusalem.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger lament in Psalms 74, where the Psalmist is crying out to God to remember His people and intervene on their behalf, as seen in Psalms 74:1-2, where the Psalmist asks God to remember His congregation and why He has rejected them.
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'everlasting ruins' in my own life that I need to bring before God, and how can I trust Him to restore them?
- In what ways have I seen the enemy destroy or desecrate things that are sacred or important to God, and how can I pray against this?
- How can I, like the Psalmist, cry out to God to intervene in the midst of destruction and chaos, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's sovereignty?
- What does this verse teach me about God's heart for His people and His desire to restore and redeem, and how can I apply this to my own life (see Romans 8:28)?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 74:3
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations,.... That is, arise, hasten, move swiftly, and in the greatness of strength, and come and see the desolations made by the enemy, which look as if they
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 74:3
Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. -The enemy has destroyed God's sanctuary and synagogues, and there are no tokens of God's presence in the land.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
Lift up thy feet, i.e. come speedily for our rescue, and do not sit or stand still, as hitherto thou seemest to do. Unto the perpetual desolations; or rather, because of (as this prefix oft signifies) the perpetual desolations. So it is a powerful motive to God, to come to their help, because otherwise our destruction is everlasting and irrecoverable. In the sanctuary; or, against thy sanctuary; of which see .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
Psalms 74:3 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; [even] all [that] the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.Ver. 3. Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations] i.e. Make haste to help, accurre, advola, as Genesis 29:1. Or, lift up thy feet, viz. to tread down thy enemies. A metaphor from combatants, Qui elevant pedes et passus, ut violentius in hostem invehantur. Some have rendered it, The loftiness of thy feet is perpetually (i.e. irreparably) desolated, understanding thereby the temple, that place of God’ s feet, Ezekiel 43:7 All that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary] Or, every one that hath done evil to his enemy in the sanctuary, whither he fled for safety.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
(3) Lift up thy feet.—Better, Lift thy steps. A poetical expression. God is invoked to hasten to view the desolation of the Temple. A somewhat similar expression will be found in Genesis 29:1 (margin). Perpetual desolations.—The word rendered “desolations” occurs also in Psalms 73:18, where it is rendered “destruction.” Here, perhaps, we should render ruins which must be ever ruins, or complete ruins, or possibly, taking the first meaning of netsach, ruins of splendour. Isaiah 11:4 does not offer a parallel, since the Hebrew is different, and plainly refers to the long time the places have been in ruins. Even all . . .—Better, the enemy hath devastated all in the holy place. 1Ma 1:38-40; 1Ma 3:45 (“Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness”) give the best explanation of the verse, descriptive, as it is, of the condition of the whole of Zion.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
Verse 3. Lift up thy feet] Arise, and return to us, our desolations still continue. Thy sanctuary is profaned by thine and our enemies.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 74:3
3. Lift up thy feet] Bestir Thyself: come in might and majesty to visit and deliver. the perpetual desolations] R.V. the perpetual ruins: a word found elsewhere only in Psalms 73:18. Cp. the threat, Jeremiah 25:9, and the promises, Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4. even all &c.] Better as R.V., All the evil that the enemy hath done in the sanctuary; or R.V. marg., The enemy hath wrought all evil.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 74:3
Lift up thy feet - That is, Advance, or draw near. Come and look directly and personally on the desolations which now exist in the holy city.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 74:3
3. Lift up thy feet—Hasten thy footsteps to the places utterly desolate.
Sermons on Psalms 74:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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We Need Revival or We Will Have a Funeral! by Derek Melton | Derek Melton delivers a powerful sermon on the decline of the Church's radiance and beauty, emphasizing the infiltration of unholy elements like religious entertainment that have r |
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A Psalm of Asaph by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. He describes the defilement of the holy temple and the suffering of the people. Th |
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The Burden of the Hour by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the urgency of recognizing the spiritual state of God's people as reflected in Psalms 79 and 80. He highlights the importance of humility and the cry for |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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The End of Time by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the prophecies of the end times as outlined in the book of Daniel and other biblical passages. It discusses the events leading up to the establishment of Go |