Psalm 76: The Victorious Strength of the God of Jacob

 The Divine Warrior, The Lion of Judah

This psalm is a hymn that is celebrating Zion, the city of David (Psalm 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, 121, 122). It pictures God as both a lion ready to defend its young and as a Divine Warrior ready to protect Jerusalem. This is the capital of the people God has chosen to bless and protect and the only place, in this day, on all the earth where His special presence dwelt. The psalm may be utilizing the “prophetic perfect” which refers to future events that must surely come to pass (Derek Kidner). Actually, 2 Chr 29:30 calls Asaph a seer, one who receives divine revelation of the future. Asaph, the writer of this song, was a contemporary with David (1 Chr 16:5).

   I. God’s chosen place (vs. 1–3)

      A. God’s relationship with Israel is by His selection of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

      B. God is known in Judah

John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

      C. His name, Yahveh, is great in Israel

      D. His lair (natural thicket, hedge row) is Salem (Jerusalem)

      E. His den is Zion (The city of David, the lower part of Jerusalem, southwest side)

      F. God gave the Bible to the Jews and allowed His ark to be carried to Mt. Moriah, where                  Solomon built the temple, where God’s glory filled the Holy of Hollies 

      G. The devil will constantly try to destroy the Jews (Revelation 12), but Asaph predicts God               will protect them 

       I. Whatever weapons are used, when God shows up, they fail

       J. Fiery arrows can’t out do God. Man is no match for God

 II. God as the Divine Warrior (vs. 4–6)

      A. God is enveloped in light

      B. He is greater than the everlasting mountains

      C. Great warriors will fail

      D. At God’s word, those attacking Jerusalem will be destroyed

           1. Sennacherib Army, Isa 37:36

           2. The future attack on Jerusalem

 

III. God as the Divine Judge (vs. 7–9)

      A. Who wants to stand before an angry lion?

      B. God is making pronouncements from heaven

      C. The last judgment of all men, our God is a consuming fire

      D. God will save the humble remnant in the land of Israel

      E. When he comes to judge, He comes to save (visitation)

      F. God is the sovereign king over all nations. All men answer to Him

      G. God brings judgment on His time plan, not ours

IV. God as the awesome Sovereign over the entire earth (vs. 10–12)

      A. God is so sovereign, even the wrath of men is turned around to bring Him glory

      B. God’s providence is actually in control of angry men behind the scenes (Rom 8:28)

           1. Caiphas

           2. Pilot

           3. Jewish leaders

           4. Roman soldiers

      C. Respond to God wisely

      D. The covenant people are to keep their solemn promises to God

           1. Marriage

           2. Church membership

      E. Have reverential fear for this awesome, holy, glorious God

      F. Those outside of the covenant community have to submit to and fear the awesome God of           the Jews and the Bible

      G. God will break down proud men that have positions of authority

      H. Even the highest rulers will fear God

Lessons to live by:

• We should not declare God’s choices as unfair. He gets to choose Jerusalem over Shechem, Hebron, Mecca, or Varanasi, India. Rank has its privileges. He is God, He gets to select where His Shechinah glory will dwell

• It is very important to know God covenantally. Know God (Phil 3:10), make His name great          (John 12:27)

• Deal with your sin problem, because God is a consuming fire

• Reverence the God of the Bible

• God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride is a root sin, do not play with it