GOD STILLS THE CONFLICT

Passage: Psalm 76:1-12

Key verse: 6

NIV

Psalm 76[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 God is renowned in Judah;
    in Israel his name is great.(A)
2 His tent is in Salem,(B)
    his dwelling place in Zion.(C)
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,(D)
    the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.[b](E)

4 You are radiant with light,(F)
    more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant(G) lie plundered,
    they sleep their last sleep;(H)
not one of the warriors
    can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke,(I) God of Jacob,
    both horse and chariot(J) lie still.

7 It is you alone who are to be feared.(K)
    Who can stand(L) before you when you are angry?(M)
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared(N) and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,(O)
    to save all the afflicted(P) of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,(Q)
    and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.[c]

11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;(R)
    let all the neighboring lands
    bring gifts(S) to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
    he is feared by the kings of the earth.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 76:1 In Hebrew texts 76:1-12 is numbered 76:2-13.
  2. Psalm 76:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 9.
  3. Psalm 76:10 Or Surely the wrath of mankind brings you praise, / and with the remainder of wrath you arm yourself
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Who Can Stand Before You?

To the choirmaster: with (A)stringed instruments. A Psalm of (B)Asaph. A Song.

76 In Judah God is (C)known;
    his name is great in Israel.
2 His (D)abode has been established in (E)Salem,
    his (F)dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he (G)broke the flashing arrows,
    the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

4 Glorious are you, more majestic
    (H)than the mountains full of (I)prey.
5 (J)The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
    (K)they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
    were unable to use their hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
    both (L)rider and horse lay stunned.

7 (M)But you, you are to be feared!
    Who can (N)stand before you
    when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
    (O)the earth feared and was still,
9 when God (P)arose to establish judgment,
    to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

10 Surely (Q)the wrath of man shall praise you;
    the remnant[a] of wrath you will put on like a belt.
11 (R)Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
    let all around him (S)bring gifts
    to him who (T)is to be feared,
12 who (U)cuts off the spirit of princes,
    who (V)is to be feared by the kings of the earth.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 76:10 Or extremity
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The Psalmist is here reflecting on a time when God’s judgment brought peace by destroying human war machines (3). Through this judgment, God revealed his radiant majesty (4). It was a scene of devastation, but the psalmist appreciates the stillness that resulted (5-6). No one who witnessed this work of judgment could boast proudly against God.

Human anger only adds to the strife and suffering in the world, but God’s judgment can bring the quietness of peace (8). God’s judgment also works to save the afflicted and oppressed (9). The remnant of God’s people who are saved from his judgment learn to fear him and also to praise him (10).

The noise, bustle, and conflict in this world never seem to stop, but an act of God’s judgment can make them stop. Today, let’s willingly pause to make a quiet space in our own hearts for God, thanking him for saving us from judgment through his son Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me that your judgment can quiet a world full of conflict. Thank you for standing up for the afflicted through Jesus. Help me have a quiet, humbled heart before you.

One Word: Praise the Lord who brings quietness.