God Speaks
75 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”
1 We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
2 God says, “At the time I have planned,
I will bring justice against the wicked.
3 When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil,
I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. Interlude
4 “I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’
I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists!
5 Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens
or speak with such arrogance.’”
6 For no one on earth—from east or west,
or even from the wilderness—
should raise a defiant fist.
7 It is God alone who judges;
he decides who will rise and who will fall.
8 For the Lord holds a cup in his hand
that is full of foaming wine mixed with spices.
He pours out the wine in judgment,
and all the wicked must drink it,
draining it to the dregs.
9 But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked,
but I will increase the power of the godly.”
76 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be accompanied by stringed instruments.
1 God is honored in Judah;
his name is great in Israel.
2 Jerusalem is where he lives;
Mount Zion is his home.
3 There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy,
the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude
4 You are glorious and more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.
5 Our boldest enemies have been plundered.
They lie before us in the sleep of death.
No warrior could lift a hand against us.
6 At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob,
their horses and chariots lay still.
7 No wonder you are greatly feared!
Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?
8 From heaven you sentenced your enemies;
the earth trembled and stood silent before you.
9 You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God,
and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude
10 Human defiance only enhances your glory,
for you use it as a weapon.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them.
Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.
12 For he breaks the pride of princes,
and the kings of the earth fear him.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Psalm 75 begins with people everywhere giving thanks to God and telling of His marvelous actions. He responds by saying He has a plan to deal with the wicked. God is the one who maintains the foundations when earthquakes occur. He deals with the proud and boastful. No one anywhere should raise a defiant fist to God. He’s the one who decides who is in power or not. He serves up the wine of His judgment. The psalmist (and whoever wants God’s favor) will sing praises to the LORD and proclaim all He has done. The LORD breaks the strength of the wicked but builds up the power of those who please Him.
Psalm 76 focuses on how the LORD God is to be honored everywhere (verses 1-2, 4, 7, 10-11) because of His actions against the enemies of His people (verses 3, 5-6, 8-9, 12).
Prayer: Dear great and merciful God, people everywhere ought to be giving thanks to You and telling of Your marvelous actions. I’m determined to do my part to see that happens. I know that You will respond by saying that You have a plan to deal with the wicked. That plan is Jesus coming to earth, modeling God-centered living, dying on the cross, and rising again because our sin-debt had been fully paid. You, O God, are the one who maintains the foundations whenever our lives are shaken or shattered. You deal with the proud and boastful. No one anywhere should raise a defiant fist to You, LORD. You’re the one who decides who is in power or not. You serve up the wine of Your judgment. We need Your action on behalf of Your people in our community, nation, and the world right now. I (and whoever wants Your favor) will sing praises to You, LORD, and proclaim all You have done. You, LORD, break the strength of the wicked but build up the power of those who please You. O LORD God, may You be honored everywhere, especially where the people You have chosen dwell. You are more glorious and majestic than Mount Everest and the whole Himalayan mountain range or any other beautiful site (location) and sight (something worth viewing) on the planet. I hold You in loving and reverent awe! May everyone else do so as well. Your ability to turn human defiance and disaster into situations that bring You glory is amazing. In response, may we make and keep our vows to You; this includes how we treat other human beings and the rest of Your creation. Please act against both Your enemies and those of Your people. Break all their weapons of war, removing their power to do harm. Their boldest leaders have already been defeated by the self-sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Your time and in Your way, even death itself will be dealt with. In Your righteous judgment, You have already sentenced all who stand in pride and arrogance against You to an eternity away from You, silenced of any defense; however, those who turn to You in repentance and faith will enjoy Your fearsome presence and undeserved favor forever. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will thank God daily for all He has done, is doing, and will do on behalf of myself and others.
- I will write these things down in a journal so that I can remember them.
- I will, to the best of my ability, praise God for who He is.
- I will join with others to plead alongside Jesus for the defeat of the enemies of the LORD God and of the people who trust in Him.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.