Tough As Nails: DanielSample

Both Psalm 74 and Psalm 79 were written by Asaph. A total of 12 of his poems have been included in the biblical book of Psalms. He was apparently a priest who participated in the worship of the temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed in 586 BC when Daniel was in his mid-30s. This poem records the sadness of the religious leaders in Jerusalem while Daniel 2 records the struggles of Daniel and the other kidnapped royal children in Babylon. There is actually more hopefulness in Daniel 2 than in Psalm 79 because we are able to see the sovereignty of God protecting his children in Daniel 2. The hopelessness of Psalm 79 is seen particularly in verse 11 “May the groans of the prisoners come before you; with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die” (Psalm 79:11). Sometimes those who suffer most, actually have the greater hope because God is near them.