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Day 48

Psalm 74:21a "Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed!"

Day 48 – Psalm 74

“Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed!” Psalm 74:21a

AN IMPASSIONED PLEA ON BEHALF OF THE OPPRESSED

The plight of the oppressed must have impacted the heart of the psalmist deeply. He found himself making a special plea on their behalf.

“Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed!
Let the poor and needy praise Your name.”
Psalm 74:21

1. “Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed”

a) The use of the particle “oh” signifies at least two things:-
i) The sighing of the heart.
ii) The sadness of the heart.
b) The plight of the oppressed.
i) They have no one to defend them on earth.
ii) They are too weak to fight their oppressors.
iii) Their only hope for justice was to turn to the Lord for help.
iv) It would be devastating if they were to return home empty-handed without any hope.

2. “Let the poor and needy praise Your name”

a) The oppressed often belong to the following categories:-
i) The poor
ii) The needy
b) They have nothing to fight back with.
i) They have no money to engage people who could help them in the courts of law.
ii) They are so needy they can barely survive and yet they are further oppressed.
c) There was only hope in God.
i) If God were to answer their prayers and help them.
ii) They would then at least have a special reason to sing praise to the Lord’s name.