In Judah God Is Known, His Name Is Great In Israel
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
His abode has been established in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war ...
Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused? ...
-- Psalm 76:2-3, 7b
Theme: The God of Israel is judge of all the earth
Outline
1-3 -- The God of Israel has again shown his power, saving Jerusalem.
4-6 -- See the defeat of the enemy!
7-9 -- No one can withstand God's judgment.
10-12 -- Man's opposition serves only to advance God's glory.
Notes
• Praise
• Judah and Israel are synonyms (v. 1).
Salem (short form of Shalom) is a short name of Jerusalem (v. 2), and Zion is the temple-mount. Shalom (peace) is the peace of God with new life and ultimate redemption for all the earth.
• Background for this psalm is the Assyrian ruler's siege of Jerusalem and his (Sennacherib's) mysterious defeat and retreat at God's hands. Told in Isaiah 36-37 (and in 2 Kings 18:12--26:19).
For Reflection
• "Human wrath serves only to praise you." God will use it toward the accomplishment of his purposes. Joseph said as much to his fearful brothers. (See Genesis 50:20; also Exodus 16; Romans 9:17; and Acts 2:23.)
Prayer
This is my Father's world;
Oh, let me not forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world;
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring;
God reigns, let the earth be glad.
-- Maltie Babcock, d. 1901
his dwelling place in Zion.
There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war ...
Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused? ...
-- Psalm 76:2-3, 7b
Theme: The God of Israel is judge of all the earth
Outline
1-3 -- The God of Israel has again shown his power, saving Jerusalem.
4-6 -- See the defeat of the enemy!
7-9 -- No one can withstand God's judgment.
10-12 -- Man's opposition serves only to advance God's glory.
Notes
• Praise
• Judah and Israel are synonyms (v. 1).
Salem (short form of Shalom) is a short name of Jerusalem (v. 2), and Zion is the temple-mount. Shalom (peace) is the peace of God with new life and ultimate redemption for all the earth.
• Background for this psalm is the Assyrian ruler's siege of Jerusalem and his (Sennacherib's) mysterious defeat and retreat at God's hands. Told in Isaiah 36-37 (and in 2 Kings 18:12--26:19).
For Reflection
• "Human wrath serves only to praise you." God will use it toward the accomplishment of his purposes. Joseph said as much to his fearful brothers. (See Genesis 50:20; also Exodus 16; Romans 9:17; and Acts 2:23.)
Prayer
This is my Father's world;
Oh, let me not forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world;
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is king, let the heavens ring;
God reigns, let the earth be glad.
-- Maltie Babcock, d. 1901