“O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?”
This opening lament asking why God has rejected the people forever articulates the experience of divine abandonment in time of national crisis. The reference to anger burning against the sheep indicates that God is cast as a shepherd whose care has been withdrawn. The question presupposes the answer: God's rejection seems permanent and irrevocable. This verse establishes the psalm as a corporate lament arising from national catastrophe and divine abandonment.
Church Fathers on Psalms 74:1
1. This Psalm's Title is, “Of the Understanding of Asaph.” Asaph in Latin is translated congregation, in Greek Synagogue. Let us see what this Synagogue has understood. But let us understand firstly Synagogue: from thence we shall understand what the Synagogue has understood. Every congregation is spoken of under the general name of Synagogue: one both of beasts and of men may be called a congregation; but here there is no congregation of beasts when we heard…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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