January 17
Reading: Psalm 76
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
1 In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.
2 His abode has been established in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.
Selah
4 Glorious are you,
more majestic than the mountains full of prey.
5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
they sank into sleep;
all the men of war were unable to use their hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.
7 But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still,
9 when God arose to establish judgment,
to save all the humble of the earth.
Selah
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
11 Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,
who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 76 is a worship song written by Asaph or his sons. Throughout this psalm the past, current, and future actions of the Lord are spoken of as if they have already happened. This kind of future speaking of the present as if it is in the past is typical of how the Bible often presents God’s working. Because He reigns forever, His works take place irrespective of time.
In verses 1-3 the worshippers speak about God. In verses 4-10 they speak to God in praise. In verses 11-12 they again speak about God in encouraging people to worship.
The first three verses depict the Lord in His stronghold, destroying all His enemies who come to attack Him. Then in verses 4-10 the psalm presents the Lord as riding out in anger to rescue all His humble ones throughout the earth. In the final two verses the Lord is honored by His people for His mighty deeds.
It is important to consider what we learn about God in this psalm. God is a great king. He is a mighty warrior. God is glorious. He makes His enemies fear Him to such a degree that they give up and fall limp. He speaks and stuns His enemies. God is to be feared. His anger is terrifying. His judgments from heaven make the people of the earth cease and be still. He saves His people. His enemies will praise Him even as He wears them as a trophy of His victory. God is worthy of our praise and our gifts, more than any earthly ruler.
Do you fear God? This goes beyond respect, though it includes that. Fearing God means that we always keep in mind what He has the right and capability to do to us if He were not merciful. God ought to make us tremble.