Psalm 76: The God Who is Glorious

Today’s reading is Psalm 76.

In vs. 1, He is the God who is known in Judah and Israel. In vs. 4, He is the God who is glorious. As other translations say, He is resplendent, bright, radiant with light.

Then the psalmist provides an odd word picture. God is more glorious than the mountains full of prey. What is that about? First, imagine yourself a lion looking out on the mountains. Would anything be more glorious to you than seeing plenty to eat? But there is a double meaning here. If the application to the 2 Kings 18-19 Assyrian siege of Jerusalem is accurate, Jerusalem looked out and saw an awe-inspiring army. It was majestic, magnificent, glorious as far as armies go. But, of course, it was an enemy army. It was terrifying, horrifying, petrifying. However, in the end, it was nothing more than prey for the God who fights for Judah and those faithful to Him.

In 2 Kings 19:35, God struck down 185,000 in the Assyrian camp. Though stouthearted, they were stripped of their spoil. They sank into sleep and were not even able to use their hands in battle. Then the psalmist connects it back to the defeat of Pharaoh’s army. He calls to mind the horse and rider which in Psalm 76 lay stunned and in Exodus 15:1, 21 were thrown into the sea.

I can’t help but also remember the fantastic story of 2 Kings 6:8-23. The king of Syria wanted to capture and kill the prophet Elisha. He sent horses and chariots to surround the city of Dothan. When they awoke, Elisha’s servant cried, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Then God opened the eyes of the servant to see “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” The Syrian army was nothing but prey; God’s army was more glorious and resplendent. This time, the army was stunned with blindness and led into the city of Samaria where God bestowed mercy on them, allowing them to return home.

What we see over and over again is while we are embattled by a powerful, cunning, and baffling enemy, our God is stronger, more powerful, and more glorious. He fights for us. We can rest in His strength and might.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 76.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 76 admonish you?

Psalm 60: Man’s Help is Vain

Today’s reading is Psalm 60.

What is David going to do? God grants victory. However, God handed him defeat. Edom defeated him right when he thought he should be most victorious. If God didn’t go with David in the fight against Edom, how could he possibly win? If God wouldn’t take him, who would lead him into the fortified city? If God rejected him, who would lead him to defeat Edom?

“For vain is the salvation of man!” Or, as other translations have it, “Vain is the help of man.” If God won’t give David victory, turning to some other nation won’t help. Making an alliance with Moab won’t help David defeat Edom. David refuses to take such action. What good would it do him?

As he wrote in Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (ESV). Of course, David was taking an army with him to Edom. He doesn’t mean people are completely useless. He means unless God empowers the people, they are completely useless. As Solomon writes, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1-2, ESV). God uses builders and watchmen. However, unless God is involved, builders and watchmen are useless.

We often claim if God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us. True. But we must also understand, if God isn’t for us, it doesn’t matter who else is. Man’s help is vain. Seek God’s help above all.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 60.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier sparked by this post.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

What in Psalm 60 increases your hope in God?