Psalm 73

Psalm 73:17, Went into the sanctuary. Divine revelation comes in the presence of Elohim.

Psalm 73:18, Slippery places. The wicked, though they may look blessed, prosperous, happy and successful by all appearances actually have one foot on a spiritual banana peel.

Psalm 73:23, You hold me. Like a loving father walking hand-in-hand with his child, so Elohim guides and counsels his spiritual children.

Psalm 74

Psalm 74:4, 8, Meeting place/s [synagogue, KJV]. (Heb. moedim). Moedim literally means “appointment, season or festival” and figuratively “assembly or meeting place.” For a discussion on the history of the synagogue in ancient times, see The Companion Bible (appendix 120).

Psalm 74:11, Withdraw your…right hand…out of your bosom. In 18th and 19th century portraiture, placing the right (and sometimes the left) hand in a one’s waistcoat or vest was considered both a sign of the upper class and of manly boldness tempered with modesty, while conveying calm assurance. This practice seems to go back to the sixth century B.C., where it was considered rude in some Greek circles to speak with the hands outside of the clothing, especially when conducting matters of state. This practice died out and was revived in the early seventeenth century and is seen in portraits of Napoleon I, Samuel Colt, Karl Marx, U.S. Major General George McClellan, President Andrew Johnson and Joseph Stalin. Is it possible that the idea of the hand on the breast inside of one’s coat originated from this psalm?

Psalm 74:14, Leviathan. Heb. livyâthân meaning “a wreathed animal, that is, a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large sea monster); figuratively the constellation of the dragon”. Leviathan is an unknown sea monster that makes its appearance in Scripture six times (Job 3:8; 41:1; Ps 74:14; 104:26; Isa 27:1). 

Metaphorically, Leviathan is a symbol of Egypt (a biblical metaphor for the world) in Psalm 74:14; a metaphor for Satan the twisted serpent who dwells in midst of the sea (a biblical metaphor for the peoples of the earth) in Isaiah 27:1; a laughing, mocking or scorning sea monster that YHVH has created in Psalm 104:26 (another picture of Satan the sea monster in the midst of the seas of humanity); and, finally, an evil sea monster in Job 3:8. In general, Leviathan is an untamable and unconquerable and is the cruel enemy of YHVH’s people that YHVH created and has power over (Job 41:10), and who YHVH will punish and then ultimately slay (Isa 27:1). The Bible reveals that the same fate is in store for Satan the serpent at the end of the age whom YHVH will punish by casting him into the bottomless pit (Rev 20:1–3), and then destroy (his influence) by confining him to the lake of fire forever (Rev 20:1:10).

Interestingly, in Psalm 74:14, Leviathan is characterized as having many heads. This conjures up images of two of the Greek mythological demon-gods Medusa (who had snakes for hair) and Hydra (who had multiple heads). Indeed, in a sense, Satan the devil serpent can transform himself in many ways to trick and deceive humans. As the god of this world, he is also the founder and head many false religious, philosophical and socio-political-economic systems to enslave humans and to draw them into his rebellion against YHVH Elohim.

Psalm 75

Psalm 75:2, Your wondrous works. How does YHVH’s creation declare that his name is near? Simply this. Hebraically, his name encompasses his reputation and character—who he is and his glory. His creation declares this (see Ps 19:1 cp. Rom 1:19–20).

Psalm 75:10, Horn. (See notes at Exod 34:29.) Horn is the Hebrew word qeren meaning “horn, hill or ray.” This word is used to describe the rays of light rays emanating from the face of Moses after his encounter with YHVH (Exod 34:29) and the horns of an animal (Ps 69:31). In ancient cultures, the horn was a metaphor for physical strength or spiritual power (Deut 33:17; 2 Sam 22:3; Ps 18:2). Elsewhere, YHVH is referred to as man’s “horn of salvation” (e.g., 2 Sam 22:3; Ps 18:2) meaning he is the strength of our salvation.