Psalm 76:1-12 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. There can be little doubt that this psalm is one of several others whose main theme is God's deliverance of his people from Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Then, in Judah, God was known, and his Name was great in Israel. But we may fitly use the psalm as telling of those great and blessed spiritual deliverances which the soul of God's servants have often known and rejoiced in - these triumphs of God over a deadlier foe than ever any Assyrian king could be to Israel. Concerning these note - I. WHERE THEY TAKE PLACE. (Cf. vers. 1, 2.) It is where God dwells. The soul that is the abiding place of God witnesses and shares in the triumphs of God as none other can do. Fitful and partial religion leaves the soul more often vanquished than victor, and can never sing such a psalm as this. II. THEIR NATURE. It is threefold. 1. God destroys the weapons of the soul's great enemy. The arrows of evil thought; the shield of unbelief, love of sin, indifference - all that which wards off those words of God which are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (Psalm 45.); the sword of the soul-slaying sin; the battle, the combined array of all the forces of evil. 2. Takes for himself the prey which the enemy had regarded as his own. (Ver. 4.) All the spoil of Judah, which Assyria had reckoned to gather on the mountains where they were encamped, all that spoil, together with what they already had, - all was taken from them (cf. Luke 11:22). So God takes from the evil one the possession of those human powers and faculties which he had usurped and claims, and keeps them as his own. 3. Keeps the enemy in the place of death. (Ver. 6.) It would be of little avail if our great spiritual foe were but for a time overcome, if after a little while he could come back with all his power. But our Lord came that he might give complete deliverance; and by the soul that continually trusts in him that deliverance is realized. III. HOW THEY ARE ACCOMPLISHED. (Ver. 6, "At thy rebuke.") The moment we believe, our help comes. Not before. All our strivings and endeavours leave us pretty much where we were; but when abandoning ourselves to God, that he may save us, then his power is made known, the enemy is rebuked and slain. The life of faith is, through God's grace, the death of our foe. IV. FOR WHOM ALL THIS IS DONE. (Ver. 9, "The meek of the earth.") Judah and Jerusalem were emptied of all self-trust, all pride and boasting, and had become meek, knowing that in quietness and in confidence was their strength. And so with the soul that is delivered by God. V. THE IMPRESSION PRODUCED. 1. Holy fear. (Ver. 7.) God's mercy and deliverance will never destroy, but ever deepen, holy fear. And there is no argument for God so effectual amongst men as the witnessing his real spiritual deliverances of his people. 2. Disdain of the wrath of man. What can it do against us, if God be for us? 3. Exultant confession, adoration, and service, together with earnest endeavours to draw others unto God. - S.C. Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.} In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. |
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