Bible Commentaries

DIVINE JUDGMENT AND ITS LESSONS

‘God arose to judgment.’

Psalms 76:9

The close relationship of this psalm to Psalms 75. is universally acknowledged. Without assuming this relationship we might, especially with a peculiar interpretation of Psalms 75:5, be led to bring it into connection with the defeat of the allied neighbouring nations, in the reign of Jehoshaphat, foretold by the Asaphite Jehaziel. It is now, with greater certainty, held to relate to the execution of that Divine judgment upon the Assyrians in the time of Hezekiah, which in the foregoing psalm was considered as in prophetic prospect.

I. It is first brought into view how God has again made His name glorious in His chosen dwelling-place in Jerusalem, by the annihilalation of the forces of the enemy, which before His rebuke sank down into the sleep of death (Psalms 76:2-7).

II. From this the inference is drawn (Psalms 76:8-10) that God, in the terribleness of His wrath, is irresistible when He arises to judgment for the deliverance of His suffering ones.

III. To this, after presenting God’s truthfulness in support of this declaration, the Psalmist adds an exhortation to a course of conduct in agreement therewith (Psalms 76:11-12).—The enthusiastic feeling, the courageous tone, which characterise the prophecies and also the psalms of the Assyrian period meet us here also.

Illustrations

(1) ‘God needs only to arise to judgment and all the might of the rebellious world recoils upon itself. Therefore have believers every reason to thank God, and the heathen every reason to submit themselves to Him. For none can stand before God’s anger, and the wicked, even in their overthrow, must contribute to His glory.’

(2) ‘The whole psalm insists upon the glorifying of God, that He alone is to be feared. With this in view, therefore (1) The mercy is praised with which God has brought Himself so nigh to His people. (2) The judgments are praised which God has undertaken for the deliverance of His own. (3) Good instruction is given, how we are to regard all this, and to adore God with faith, hope, and confidence.’