30. Come Ye Thankful People, Psalm 76

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Prayer Meeting Tagged with , , , ,


Hymns: RHC 34 Crown Him with Many Crowns, 136 Come, Ye Thankful People, 355 Day by Day

Psalm 76

1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. 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 brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. 4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than 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 the 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 judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah. 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. 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. Psalms 76:1-12 (KJV)

COME YE THANKFUL PEOPLE

  • God is great to His people (v1-3)
    1. In His abiding presence (v1-2)
    2. In His power to protect them (v3)
  • God is most fearful to His enemies (v4-9)
    1. In His judgment against His enemies (v4-8)
    2. In His salvation of His own (v9)
  • God rules overall acknowledged (v10-12)
    1. In even man’s wrath, He is praised (v10)
    2. In keeping our vows, God is honoured (v11)
    3. In His wrath, kings are cut off (v12)

 

INTRODUCTION

It is sad scenario in the world today that the living and true God is not known. Man seemed to think that they are masters of their own destiny. This is a fearfully wrong notion that needs to be corrected.

This psalm seeks to make known that the great God of Israel is the living and true God. It seeks for this truth be declared and published abroad. Let all the powers on this earth acknowledge, worship and fear the God of Israel.

In the fullness of time, Israel’s foremost Son was born – Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is the exact representation of God. By Him, God revealed Himself to us. Indeed, only in Jesus Christ is God known!

  • God is great to His people (v1-3)
    1. In His abiding presence (v1-2)
    2. In His power to protect them (v3)

1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. 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 brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

Israel is raised by God as His witness. Israel by her obedience to God’s laws magnifies the name of God. He has chosen to dwell in the midst of Israel, His people. What tremendous privilege.

His abiding presence with His people, for in “Salem”, the name for Jerusalem, is peace and safety. From His dwelling place will His power be demonstrated to destroy Israel’s enemies.

  • God is most fearful only to His enemies (v4-9)
    1. In His judgment against His enemies (v4-8)
    2. In His salvation of His own (v9)

4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than 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 the 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 judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

“Mountains of prey” (v4) describes the overwhelming strength of the enemies, oppressing the weak, who were destroyed by Israel’s God.

“The stouthearted” (v5) describes the mighty and defying strength of Israel’s enemies. These enemies were cast into a deep sleep by God. How can it be? It did occur during the reign of King Hezekiah when the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem. King Hezekiah cried unto the Lord (2 Kings 19:1, 15-19).

2 Kings 19:1 And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 19:15-19 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

This was the account was recorded in 2 Kings 19:35 “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.”

7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? 8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

 Who is able to withstand the wrath of God? He has the power to cast sinners into hell fire in judgment for their sins. And He has also by His power, through the sacrifice of His own Son, broke the power of sin for the redemption of sinful men. Men must indeed pay homage and obescience to God.

Indeed, when fire and brimstone fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah, there was a great destruction. These cities were totally destroyed for the filth of sin that they represent. God is a fearful judge against sin!

 9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

Abraham was safe and saved by God’s warning of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He pleaded with God to save the city but for 10 righteous in the city. There was not even 10 righteous men there. Abraham’s nephew was saved by the skin of his teeth. His wife turned into a pillar of salt.

Truly, great fear came upon all who realized the awesome power of the living God. The meek of God’s people depended upon God to deliver them and He did. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 Who are the meek?

The word “meek” describes “an attitude of quiet, reverent and humble submission to the will and purpose of God.” The quality of “meekness” is a gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion to God. It is an enduring and obedient spirit that is contented with one’s lot in life as God has given. Such a one, Christ pronounces blessed. The opposite of meekness is self-will, a rebellious and complaining spirit.

The “meek” is described as one who quietly waits upon the LORD in times of hardship and adversity (Ps 37:9), frets not and envies not the wicked in his prosperity. He seeks to live his life God’s way, not acting rashly but according to God’s Word. The psalmist declares, “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Ps 37:11). God’s peace abides and abounds in him. God promises to take care of his needs. He will have a place of refuge always on this earth. In the days of famine, he shall be satisfied. He will always have a place of service for his Lord while he lives and will reign physically on earth with Christ in the Millennium to come.

Our Lord Jesus sets for us the example of a meek and humble spirit by His consecration and His holy resolve to fulfill His Father’s will always. At the Garden of Gethsemane, He agonized in prayer that the Father would grant Him strength to endure the sufferings and humiliation of the cross to purchase our redemption. The angel appeared unto Him from heaven and strengthened Him. What an encouragement for every suffering saint. Our Lord knows. He understands when we cry to Him when it seems so difficult to walk according to Scriptures. Jesus suffered, and even died, but He rose victorious over death on the third day giving to us everlasting life and hope!

Though He slays me yet will I trust Him. May the Lord grant His people a heart of submission to do Thy will. The word “meek” means “strength that is brought under control.” Adrian Rogers illustrated well, “When horse trainers “break” horses, they describe what they do as “meeked.” They don’t cripple the horses or take away their strength. They train them to use their strength under control. In the same way, God doesn’t come into your life to cripple you. Why would He follow the blessing with “they shall inherit the earth”? God did not make this world for the devil’s crown. He made the world for you.”

  • God rules overall acknowledged (v10-12)
    1. In even man’s wrath, He is praised (v10)
    2. In keeping our vows, God is honoured (v11)
    3. In His wrath, kings are cut off (v12)

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Even in the wickedness of men’s action, God turned it for His glory. God use even the cruelty of men to try and humble and purify His own people. But He would not utterly cast them out. In His chastisement, there is a moderation and refrain as He deems fit for the good of His people.

 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.

God turned the threats and destruction of men to glorify His own name. We have the example of Martin Luther who was true to the witness of God’s Word in his heart, refusing to deny God’s truth even when it meant putting his very life in danger.

His people who have vowed a vow in their adversity and are delivered, are required to pay their vow to the LORD. For this is God honouring. The kings of this earth must acknowledge and worship Israel’s God.

What great comfort for all of God’s people who depend upon Him in all their vicissitudes of life.

CONCLUSION

Let us publish abroad our great God that others may come too to trust in Him.