Psalms 76:1-12: a reflection

1In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel. 2His tabernacle is also in Salem. His dwelling place in Zion. 3There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah. 4Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game. 5Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands. 6At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. 7You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry? 8You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent, 9when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah. 10Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained. 11Make vows to the LORD your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared. 12He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.

This psalm exalts God's majesty, especially as displayed in judgment; and at the heart of it is a striking purpose for that judgment: When God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. God's rising in judgment is not merely to display his majesty, but to save the afflicted; his judgment on the proud and violent is, at the same time, salvation for the oppressed and afflicted. He arises to judge, and in judging he saves those who are afflicted.

Notice the purpose of God's judgment: to save the afflicted. His rising in judgment against the proud, the violent, the oppressor, is at the same time a rising to save those they afflict. God does not exercise his strength in judgment merely for its own sake, but on behalf of the vulnerable, the afflicted, the oppressed; his judgment on their oppressors is their salvation. When God arises to judgment, it is to save the afflicted ones of the earth; his might is exercised on behalf of the vulnerable, against those who afflict them.

That is a comfort for the afflicted and oppressed, for it means God's judgment is on their side. If you are afflicted, oppressed, wronged by those stronger than you, this psalm assures you that when God arises to judgment, it is to save the afflicted; his judgment falls on the oppressor, and is salvation for the oppressed. God is not indifferent to those who are afflicted; he arises to save them, exercising his strength on their behalf. When you are afflicted or oppressed, take comfort that God arises to judgment to save the afflicted ones of the earth; his might is on the side of the vulnerable, against those who afflict them. Trust the God who arises to save the afflicted, whose judgment on the oppressor is salvation for the oppressed, rather than despairing as though the strong who afflict you would prevail forever; for God arises to judgment to save all the afflicted ones of the earth.

Lord, this psalm exalts your majesty, especially as displayed in judgment; and at the heart of it is a striking purpose for that judgment: when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Your rising in judgment is not merely to display your majesty, but to save the afflicted; your judgment on the proud and violent is, at the same time, salvation for the oppressed. You arise to judge, and in judging you save those who are afflicted. Show me the purpose of your judgment: to save the afflicted. Your rising against the proud, the violent, the oppressor, is at the same time a rising to save those they afflict. You do not exercise your strength in judgment merely for its own sake, but on behalf of the vulnerable; your judgment on their oppressors is their salvation. Give me the comfort of that, for it means your judgment is on the side of the afflicted. If I am afflicted, oppressed, wronged by those stronger than me, this psalm assures me that when you arise to judgment, it is to save the afflicted. You are not indifferent to those who are afflicted; you arise to save them. When I am afflicted or oppressed, help me take comfort that you arise to judgment to save the afflicted ones of the earth; your might is on the side of the vulnerable. Help me trust the God who arises to save the afflicted, Lord, rather than despairing as though the strong who afflict me would prevail forever.