Psalm 76 — Celebrating our Knowledge of God

For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.

1 In Judah is God known:
His name is great in Israel.
2 In Salem also is his tabernacle,
And his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he brake the arrows of the bow;
The shield, and the sword, and the battle.     Selah
4 Glorious art thou and excellent, from the mountains of prey.
5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep;
And none of the men of might have found their hands.
6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared:
And who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause sentence to be heard from heaven;
The earth feared, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgement,
To save all the meek of the earth.     Selah
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee:
The residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.
11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God:
Let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes:
He is terrible to the kings of the earth.

In this great series of psalms by Asaph we receive this celebration of God the Lord. Though complaining over his trials and lamenting the destruction wrought by the enemy, Asaph knows where real substance, security and reality lies. In Judah is God known. The solid reckoning and realization of his power, dwelling with authority in Jerusalem, is a big idea, indeed.

In fact, this piece of information seems enough to sustain Asaph through the troubles he's faced. Remember how in psalms 73 & 74, when in despair over his trials, Asaph went to the sanctuary and meditated on - recited even - the works of the Lord? This is the solid knowing to which, I think, Asaph refers. Some might even call it faith.

God is in the mountains with sword, shield and judgment. The dismay of the enemy is evident. Once angry, no one may stop the Lord from his pronouncements and sentencing. God speaks and acts against the foe, arising in judgment, to save the meek.

What do you think? Is Asaph meek? Read back through his psalms and let me know what you think. I do believe he's driving toward greater meekness, as should every one of us.