Ps. 76: Gravitas

Psalm 76:8-9 "From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet- when you O God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land."

God is no small-timer to be trifled with. He is known. He is the famous one. He is all powerful. The 76th Psalm tells of God's fearsomeness. God's gravitas.

First off, God seems to be a God who values peace over war, talking about breaking the weapons of war, shields, swords and arrows. No weapon forged could stand against God. He simply brushes them off.

Men may have their scuffles and battles, but when God shows up on the scene, all is quiet, and all is still. Except for the trembling, I'm sure. The fear of God towers over any conflict man may have with another man. It is a matter of what matters. Men may put their leaders up in charge, but again, it is God who breaks their spirits and puts them in fear. Any survivors of this wrath are quiet. They can't hang.

Ps. 64: God is Victory

Psalm 64:9 "All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done."

This 64th Psalm speaks to the condition that I imagine a lot of believers find themselves in at some point or another. Where David is under physical duress, and the threat of death, believers in God are also persecuted. In some nations they are murdered for this faith. This chapter can help these people take heart, because David's been there. It may not provide immediate comfort, but it does speak to the fact that God will eventually be the vindicator. The liberator. The protector. God fights the battles, will fight them his way, and he doesn't need any help or suggestions.

Just as David feared the flight of arrows, he believes God will turn these arrows around.

Just as David knew about the enemy's evil words and plans, he believes God will turn their tongues against them.

Just as David lived in fear, his enemies will at some point fear God.

And all these things make God worthy of praise.