On and off, I’ve been trying to read and reflect on a Psalm a day. I’ll read the Psalm, pray, and then ponder a few questions:
- What is this Psalm about?
- What does this Psalm teach about God?
- How does this Psalm connect to God’s people today?
I’ll close the post with a simple prayer, trying to draw the themes together.
On the 10th of September 2024, here’s Psalm 76:
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.[b]
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.
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.[c]
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.
What is this Psalm about?
This Psalm is fundamentally about God’s greatness, and the different things and achievements/qualities that cause the Psalmist to celebrate God’s greatness. It is focused on the general theme of God’s greatness, specific examples, big-picture application, and the response of both individuals and nations, in an ideal way.
What does this Psalm teach about God?
Psalm 76 tells us that God’s name is famous in both specific places (v. 1), and in a more universal sense (v8-10, 11-12). Psalm 76 teaches us of some of the qualities of God, including radiance and majesty (v. 4), fearfully angry and one to be feared (v. 7, 11), a judge and saviour (v. 9), and capable of breaking others (v. 12). The picture painted is of a mighty and majestic God, standing over creation and all mankind, yet also involved and relatable too (v. 11).
How does this Psalm connect to God’s people today?
I think Psalm 76 reminds us of some of the mighty acts of the Lord – in his particular roles as warrior, judge, and Lord. There is a sense of awe shot through the Psalm – something easy to forget when we sing songs today about friendship with God: true, but not the whole truth. One aspect of that is the suggestion of quiet fear (v. 8) which is something that would be worth pondering. Verse 11 also reminds us of the importance of both committing to God, and following through that commitment – with perhaps a hopeful hint of a future where those not of Israel (Gentiles like me!) might ‘bring gifts to the One to be feared’.
A prayer drawn from Psalm 76
Lord, your are great, and awesome, and I choose to recognise your Lordship in all things.
<pause>
In this quiet, help me to remember your might acts, your outstretched arm, and the praise we owe to you even as you restrain your wrath. Help us to commit to you, and our vows and commitments to you to be fulfilled. Amen.
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