The Meaning of Psalms 74:21 Explained

Psalms 74:21

KJV: O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

YLT: Let not the oppressed turn back ashamed, Let the poor and needy praise Thy name,

Darby: Oh let not the oppressed one return ashamed; let the afflicted and needy praise thy name.

ASV: Oh let not the oppressed return ashamed: Let the poor and needy praise thy name.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

O let not the oppressed  return  ashamed:  let the poor  and needy  praise  thy name. 

What does Psalms 74:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 74:12-23 - "plead Thine Own Cause, O God"
Yet! Psalms 74:12, r.v. There is always some compensating and consolatory thought. God is in the background of our thought. Not only the King, but my King, ever working salvation in the midst of the earth. Faith is quickened as she reviews the marvels of the past, or considers the constant forth-putting of God's power in nature. See Psalms 74:12-15.
The dove is a tender emblem of the Church in her simplicity, weakness, and defenselessness; and there is no plea so potent as to remind God of His Covenant, which has been sealed with the blood of the Cross. Though we are utterly unworthy, He cannot deny Himself. Every time we put the cup to our lips in the Holy Supper, we say in effect. Have respect unto the Covenant, Psalms 74:20. This is an invincible argument with God. Go over the different items of that Covenant enumerated in Hebrews 8:1-13. Place your finger on the one that fits your case, and present that at the bank of heaven, endorsed by the countersign of our Lord. See to it that your cause is so identified with God's that, in soliciting His help, you may be able to add: Arise, O God; plead thine own cause, Psalms 74:22. God is faithful to those whom He has called into the fellowship of His Son. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 74

1  The prophet complains of the desolation of the sanctuary
10  He moves God to help in consideration of his power
18  Of his reproachful enemies, or his children and of his covenant

What do the individual words in Psalms 74:21 mean?

Not Oh do let return the oppressed ashamed the poor and needy let praise Your name
אַל־ יָשֹׁ֣ב דַּ֣ךְ נִכְלָ֑ם עָנִ֥י וְ֝אֶבְי֗וֹן יְֽהַלְל֥וּ שְׁמֶֽךָ

יָשֹׁ֣ב  Oh  do  let  return 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
דַּ֣ךְ  the  oppressed 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: דַּךְ  
Sense: crushed, oppressed.
נִכְלָ֑ם  ashamed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּלַם  
Sense: to insult, shame, humiliate, blush, be ashamed, be put to shame, be reproached, be put to confusion, be humiliated.
עָנִ֥י  the  poor 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עָנִי  
Sense: poor, afflicted, humble, wretched.
וְ֝אֶבְי֗וֹן  and  needy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: אֶבְיׄון  
Sense: in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person.
יְֽהַלְל֥וּ  let  praise 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
שְׁמֶֽךָ  Your  name 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שֵׁם  
Sense: name.