Psalms Reading – 3.12.2022
Psalm 76
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
2 His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
This psalm of Zion celebrates God’s power and judgment. It reminds us that God is not only loving and forgiving, but is one who ultimately judges those who rebel against Him. His name is to be praised among the faithful and will eventually be praised by all around the world.
This psalm may refer to God’s victory over the Assyrians in Hezekiah’s time, but the message can equally apply to any occasion when God decisively wins the battle over evil. Nothing can thwart God as He defeats the most valiant of warriors and the backbone of the ancient army, horse and chariot.
God alone is to be feared. No one can stand before Him when his righteous judgment comes. God’s judgment does two things. It brings down God’s enemies but, also, lifts up God’s afflicted people.
We see that the neighboring lands did bring gifts, and God was feared by the kings when the Lord miraculously delivered Hezekiah from the Assyrians, 2 Chronicles 32:23, “Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the Lord and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah. From then on he was highly regarded by all the nations.”
As the people of God, we need to make sure we have an appropriate understanding of judgment included in our theology of who our loving and holy God is and what He does.
Memory Verse: Psalm 73:25, Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
Question(s) to Consider: What is your understanding of God’s judgment in today’s world and at the end of time? How does your understanding impact the way you live?