在詩篇第七四篇中，我們讀到耶路撒冷的毀滅，以及聖殿的被焚與被褻瀆。這一詩篇的題目告訴我們，作者就是亞薩，但是當一個人想到，在亞薩的生平中（當時的君王為大衛），耶路撒冷並沒有遭受敵軍的攻擊與毀滅，問題就發生了；耶城一直平安屹立，直到數世紀之後，巴比倫王尼布甲尼撒率大軍攻佔耶城時，才有焚毀聖殿的舉動（王下25：9~10；代下36：19）。關於這個問題，有兩種解釋：本詩篇的作者不是亞薩，而是他的後代，剛好也名叫亞薩，而且寫的時候正是城毀殿焚的時候；或者作者是大衛時代的那個亞薩，但是他是用預言的方式撰寫這一詩篇；這一解釋是有其可能的，因為亞薩是以預言家聞名於當時（他是一位先知，可以預見未來的景況；代下29：30）。

        由於詩人在耶路撒冷目睹的毀滅，他感到迷惘了；他不明白，為什麼上帝會容許這件悲慘的事發生在祂的羊欄裡，除非他們犯下了可怕的罪。亞薩感到迷惘，因為他覺得上帝似乎遺棄了祂的百姓。他呼求上帝記念祂的產業，就是祂從埃及地為奴之家救贖出來的百姓（74：2），也要記念祂與亞伯拉罕所定的約，就是要將土地賜給他的後裔（74：20）。

        最使亞薩感到困惑不解的就是上帝怎能容許祂的仇敵摧毀祂在錫安的住所！在那時，當一個國家征服另一個國家時，人們相信，征服者的神要比被征服者的神更有能力。因此，他們的主要目標就是要摧毀敵國神的殿堂，以及要設立他們自己神的表現（標準或旗幟），藉以向被征服者展示，他們是勝利者（74：4）。當亞薩目睹他們獻給耶和華的美麗的聖殿變成廢墟時，他的心都碎了。聖殿中一切精美的雕刻都被敵人用斧頭打毀了（74：6；比較王上6：29）。亞薩明白，這一不幸對上帝而言是一大嘲諷。他求上帝記住，祂的敵人如何咒罵祂、褻瀆祂、反對祂，所以祂應該消滅那些邪惡的蠢人，證明祂自己才是唯一的真神（74：22）。不過，亞薩知道，這位有大能、可以分開紅海、枯乾約旦河、摧毀地面上的鱷魚（參看伯41章、說明很多國家的早期歷史）、使磐石裡流出水來（出17：6）、創造大地，以及建立日夜與冬夏的上帝，自然也有能力摧毀任何仇敵（74：13~17）。當這位詩人宣稱，他的上帝就是世界之王，計劃在地上施行拯救時，他的希望就恢復了（74：12）。

        有一件極有意義的事就是，前一篇詩篇中提出的問題在詩篇第七五篇中有了答案。亞薩也被視為本篇的作者。他以感謝上帝的禱告為始，因為祂的名相近，使他不必擔心地上的事；祂就在不遠的地方（75：1）。亞薩接到他向上帝問的問題的答案：「敵人辱罵（您）要到幾時呢？」（74：10）。耶和華宣稱：「我到了所定的日期，必按正直施行審判」（75：2）。上帝進一步宣稱，地上沒有一個人能抗拒祂的公義審判。祂是全能的，在祂的裡面萬物都有生命，以及若是沒有祂「設立柱子」的恩典，大地就會崩塌（75：3）。耶和華警告狂傲的人，「不要行事狂傲與自負」（自大、驕傲、及固執）。祂對兇惡的人說：「不要把你們的角高舉」，像一隻野獸，想用它的力量傷害任何人，就像他們想傷害上帝一樣（75：4~5）。這些人祇高舉他們自己，但是亞薩指責他們，說：在這個地方，他們沒有高舉自己的餘地。祇有上帝，這位權威的審判官，有權決定要高舉誰，又要放下誰（比較撒上2：7；但2：21）。由於祂明白萬民的心，祂也明白誰要受到祂那盛滿烈怒的杯所加的懲罰；祂要將杯中的烈怒倒在惡人的身上，直到最後一滴（75：8）。又一次，耶和華向惡人發出口頭的警告，惡人的角（力量及權力）要被剪除，但是義人的力量和權力要被高舉，而且他們要活著，讚美那位公義的君王。

        父啊，我們感謝您，因為您自有大地起，就計劃拯救我們。我們希望我們的道路配得耶穌基督裡的呼召，以及向別人傳揚您所定的偉大計劃與即將來臨的公義審判。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        In Psalm 74 we read of the destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the desecration and burning of the Temple. The title of this psalm tells us that Asaph was the author, but a problem arises when one considers that during Asaph's life (a contemporary of King David) there was no destruction by an invading enemy in Jerusalem; this did not happen until centuries later by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:19). There are two possible explanations: a descendant of Asaph (an Asaphite) wrote it at the time of the invasion whose name may also have been Asaph; or the original Asaph of David's day wrote it prophetically, which is quite possible, since he was known as a seer (a prophet who sees visions of the future, 2 Chronicles 29:30).

        The psalmist is totally bewildered by the destruction he sees in Jerusalem, and he cannot understand why God has allowed this to happen to His sheepfold, unless they were terribly guilty of horrendous sins. Asaph is perplexed by what seems to be God's abandonment of His people. He cries out for God to remember His inheritance whom He had redeemed as His own out of their bondage in Egypt (74:2) and to remember the covenant He had made with Abraham to give his descendants the land (74:20).

        What is even more bewildering to Asaph is how God could allow the enemy to destroy His own dwelling in Zion! At that time, when one nation conquered another, it was believed that their gods were more powerful than the God or gods of the enemy. Therefore, their prime target was to deface or destroy the temple of the opposing God or gods and set up the emblems (standards/banners) of their gods and their nation to show they were victorious (74:4). It was heart-rending for Asaph to see in ruins the most beautiful building dedicated to their Lord. All the exquisite carvings were defaced by their axes (74:6; cf. 1 Kings 6:29). Asaph understands this to be a mockery of God. He asks God to remember how the enemy has blasphemed, reproached, and rebelled against him, that He might vindicate Himself by consuming all the wicked fools (74:22). Asaph, however, knows that the God who is powerful enough to part the Red sea, dry up the Jordan river, destroy the Leviathan from the face of the earth (see Job 41 which deals with history many centuries earlier), make a rock into a fountain (Exodus 17:6), create the earth and establish night and day, winter and summer, is certainly able to destroy any foe (74:13-17). The psalmist's hope is restored when he proclaims that his God is the King of the world who has a plan of salvation for the earth (74:12).

        It is significant that in Psalm 75 the questions posed in the preceding psalm are answered. Asaph is also ascribed as the author of this psalm. He begins with a prayer of thanksgiving to God who is not so far removed that He is unconcerned about the affairs on earth; His past gracious dealings prove He is near (75:1). Asaph received the answer to the question he had asked God: "how long will the adversary reproach [You]?" (74:10). The Lord proclaims that He will indeed bring judgment, but it will be in His own perfect timing, according to His plan (75:2). God further proclaims that no one upon the earth will be able to withstand His righteous judgment. He is all-powerful, the One in whom all things have their being and without His grace in setting up "its pillars firmly", the earth would collapse (75:3). The Lord warns the boastful to not be conceited and stiff-necked (arrogant, proud, obstinant). To the wicked He says, "Do not lift up your horn on high", like a beast that attempts to use its power against someone, which is what they were trying to do to God (75:4-5). These types of people exalt themselves, but Asaph rebukes them in saying that there is no place on earth where they will receive exaltation. Only God, the Sovereign Judge, will decide whom to exalt and whom to put down (cf. 1 Samuel 2:7; Daniel 2:21). Since He knows the hearts of all people, He also knows who is to be punished with His cup full of wrath, which He will pour out upon the wicked until the very last drop (75:8). Once again, the Lord speaks to warn that the horn (strength, power) of the wicked will be cut off, but the strength and power of the righteous will be exalted, and they will live to sing praises to the righteous King.

        Thank You, Father, for Your way of salvation You have planned since the beginning of time. May we walk worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus and tell others of Your great plan and judgment to come.