Psalm 75 (Part 2.)

Appetiser

We looked at the TITLE and v1 of this Psalm a few weeks ago. There we saw that it is a psalm that God’s people were to sing together, but which also contains the personal reflection of the worshipper in the last two verses. We saw that it is a psalm of praise, giving thanks to God for Who He is in Himself and especially for His people, doing “wonderful deeds” for them. Remember that this phrase doesn’t refer to nice things; it refers to deeds only God can do: creation, salvation.

God is mighty and righteous, doing all things well, and for the benefit of those who love Him. Today we will see that this has obvious cash-value for whom He is their God, who know Him personally. Because it means that you can trust Him at all times. On the Lord’s Day, we come together to remind ourselves of Who He is and of His righteous deeds, and on Monday we take this all with us into our homes, our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, into how we read the news, make our plans, and have times of leisure.

Main Course

What we remind ourselves in church on Sunday

At the beginning of v2 the words “You say” are supplied by the NIV translators; it is not in the Hebrew text. All that says is something like, “Because”, to indicate that the grounds for praise are coming up in the following verses.

Nevertheless, I think the translators are right. It is God saying these things between v2-5, which form the grounds for the praise of God’s people. He puts His words in their mouths to give them back to Him in praise.

There is teaching in this. Praising God is grown in the soil of His Word. Scripture put to song, or doctrinally rich lyrics, which put the Word of God into our hearts and mouths are to be used in worship. It is a pity when thinking about singing and music in church revolves around styles, whether we should sing old or new, short or long, with instruments or unaccompanied… It is the content of a song or hymn that should determine whether it makes it into the liturgy or not.

With that in mind, let us turn to what the Psalm teaches us about God’s doings, His “wonderful deeds”.

We praise God for His justice, v2-3

God will display His justice at “the appointed time”, v2

We don’t have a historical context indicated in the TITLE, but “Do Not Destroy” probably indicates calamity from the hands of God’s enemies. As the psalm unfolds, we certainly get this picture.

We are blessed in the UK to still have a very large amount of freedom to worship God in Spirit and in truth. We are not persecuted. Granted, we may be heading that way, but we are far from it. That is not the case for a lot of our brethren in the world. Just recently I was made aware of a missionary couple being threatened by prosecution, which could mean prison for one of them. Their “crime” was running a school on Christian principles. How is that just? In no way. But we take refuge in the fact that the Lord says: “it is I who judge with equity.” People, even governments may be unjust, but our trust is not in them, but in the God who speaks v2.

Often (as in that case quoted above, actually) there is relief from these things in this world. When there is, we praise God, for it is His justice displayed. But we have no promise for this. Notice v2a of this psalm: when is this justice of God displayed? “‘I choose the appointed time;’”—at God’s time of choosing. Sometimes it’s now. So we pray for justice. But as the apostle Paul preached about God, “he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30b-31) This is a future day, the day we’ll stand before Christ. Then, justice will be fully displayed. So we wait of that day patiently.

God upholds the world all the time, v3

Lack of obvious display of justice doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care. It might feel that way, as if the very earth itself was shaking due to the wickedness of men (v3a), but its pillars are firm, held by God’s omnipotent hands (v3b).

Beloved of the Lord, as we speak, Christians are dying for their faith. The womb, which should be the safest place for the unborn, is no longer such a place: hundreds of human beings are slaughtered there every weekday, and we have made this legal. Men and women created in the image of God are treated badly purely because the shade of brown is different on their skin. And an increasing number of churches bless sinful human relationships. The Church by and large feels weak, as it’s too busy chasing human approval rather than the smile of God. The earth and its people quake: “the earth” because its foundations are being destroyed, as humanity seeks to establish life without its Creator, and “its people” in fear, because we are creating a bad world, since neither us nor the earth is designed to be happy without God.

As God’s people we know this, and we are sometimes afraid, and we mourn—but, we also remember that our God holds the earth’s pillars firm. Which is to say, it might seem like chaos, even as hell on earth, but it is decisively not so. It might seem as if evil has the upper hand, and it is pointless to seek to live a righteous life (see Psalm 73!), but it is not so. It might seem as if God has abandoned His people, but again: this is not the case. God in His kindness has not left the world completely to its demise, but graciously upholds it by the world of His power, and strengthens His faithful ones daily. But this is how: we are to look to Him, meditate on Him, and know that He is God. We are called to trust in Him and pray to Him at all times.

We call “the arrogant”, “the wicked” to repentance, v4-8

In v4-5 it is God who is the speaker. In v6-8 the worshippers (v1) speak (notice how v7 speaks of God in the third person). This is God’s people doing what they’re supposed to do: speaking God’s word to one another and also to the world. For our is King over all He has made.

This psalm reminds me of 2 Thessalonians 1. My first ever sermon in Rehoboth was on that passage. That letter is written to a church oppressed by wicked people who reject Christ. And to encourage Christians, who are living faithfully in the midst of this, v3-4, Paul reminds them of the day of God’s judgment, v6-7. Now imagine some of those who trouble them happen to be there in church, maybe undercover, when this letter is read out.

This is what we find in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 as well.

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))

But if an unbeliever or an enquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’

The local church is the place for God’s people to gather to worship God. The focus is on the building up of the saints for works of ministry. But, the expectation is that there are unbelievers present. The doors are open to all, and we even invite people, “Come and see!” And when they come, they need to see us

worship the living God; see Psalm 75:1!

declaring the wonderful deeds of God; this is what “prophesying” in the passage in 1 Corinthians fundamentally refers to.

making sure we don’t mask our different standings: notice the bold letters above. They may be rubbing shoulders with us during the week as we work together in the office or the shop, or as we take the bins out as fellow neighbours—this is absolutely right; but our message should be exceptionally clear, especially in church: there are those who worship the living God, and those who neglect to do so; those who those who boast in the Lord, and there are those who boast against Him. The former are “the righteous”, the latter “the wicked”—and our end is different, v10.

And so we say

Humble yourself before God, v4-5. He made you as part of His “wonderful deeds” (v1). He is righteous and good, and very, very kind. To live as if He did not exist is “arrogant” and boastful (the two words in this verse share the same root in Hebrew). Though some rebel against God more openly than others, you don’t need to be a serial killer to count as a sinner: to live without regard to God is sin.

Oh, to have a true sense of our constant dependence on Him! So often people go to work day after day, buy groceries, take medicine, pay bills, and enjoy pleasures—but do not give a thought to Him and the fact that all depends on His will. Their hearts are lifted up in pride, they forget the Lord, and they say, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth” (Deut. 8:17). Their prayerlessness is the nail that seals the coffin of their spiritual deadness.

“GOD’S PROVIDENCE APPLIED IN OUR LIVES”, Joel R. Beeke, Tabletalk, February 2021

And so we call people to repentance. To lay down their arms. To stop living with no regard to God. If you, my Friend, live that way, I call to you appealing to this psalm: “Boast no more … Do not lift up your horns against heaven”. The “horn” is a symbol of strength: all that you put your trust in. Know that God is God, and you sins separate you from Him. His wrath is upon you, and justly so. I was there, too. All Christians in this church were there, too. We’re no better. But God, by His mercy, showed us our sin. Do you see yours? Humble yourself before God.

Let God exalt you, v6-8. The word “themselves” shouldn’t really be here; the verse does not speak of people exalting themselves, but each other. Imagine a weak nation in conflict with a much stronger one. What do they do? They turn to stronger nations to help them out in their fight. This is the picture here—only, the conflict here is with God, and there are no forces, wherever you look, that can help you against Him. “It is God who judges”—it is in His power to bring one down or exalt him. As He says in another place, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exodus 33:19) So here is the message of the psalm to you, my Friend: cast yourself on this merciful God! You can be forgiven if you humble yourself before Almighty God. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10). And this is why He is able and willing to do so:

We remember that Christ drank the cup of God’s wrath for His people, v8 cf. Mark 14:36; John 18:11

Mark 14:36 NIV (Anglicised, 2011)

‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’

John 18:11 NIV (Anglicised, 2011)

Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’

Jesus took the punishment of all believers upon Himself on the cross of Calvary. He drank the cup of God’s wrath to the very bottom. As Stephen Altrogge writes in his hymn, “How Deep” (https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/how-deep/):

VERSE 1 You were broken that I might be healed You were cast off that I might draw near You were thirsty that I might come drink Cried out in anguish that I might sing

CHORUS How deep is Your love How high and how wide is Your mercy How deep is Your grace Our hearts overflow with praise To You

VERSE 2 You knew darkness that I might know light Wept great tears that mine might be dried Stripped of glory that I might be clothed Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

We worship God for His salvation, His “wonderful deeds” for us in Christ. Christ has turned God’s wrath from us, and opened the floodgates of God’s blessing. The One Who used to be our enemy, through Christ has become our Father in heaven. He took the justice due to me for my sin, so that God’s mercy and grace might be poured out on me. Turn to Him, if you haven’t already: humble yourself, and He will lift you up.

We call to repentance humbly: but for the grace of God, there goes us. We learn to be bold and clear, but not hard-hearted towards the unconverted. We have authorisation for the former, but no right for the latter.

We refuse to retaliate. “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, cf. Deuteronomy 32:35) Sometimes we feel powerless against those who oppress us, and then this psalm is an encouragement. But sometimes we do have power to retaliate—and then this psalm is a break. Let us leave room for God’s wrath.

How we live from Monday morning, v9-10

Notice the change from “we” in v1 to “me” and “I” in v9. This is now the personal reflection of the worshipper. I will be brief on this, since I have explained the concepts. If you are a believer, make this your resolve.

Declare the deeds of the Lord, v9

What opportunities have you got to share “this”: the message of the psalm? Make a resolve to declare it and pray for the opportunity. You may get the chance to share it all in one go, or a snippet at a time.

Remember to “declare” as a worshipper: “I will sing praise”—you are not an agent, but a witness to God’s love to those who turn to Him. Tell others how God had mercy on you.

Decry the deeds of the wicked, v10a. Again, “who says” is not in the Hebrew text, and neither should it be in the English one. It is the psalmist speaking. How does the psalmist “cut off the horns of the wicked”? By reminding them that God promised to do so, cf. v4-8! Don’t leave out the message of God’s wrath: it is an integral part of the message of the Gospel, it is why we need the cross of Christ! Be loving, and be bold! Your business is not to worry about how the message is received, but that it is declared faithfully and in love.

Declare the hope of the righteous, v10b

Encourage one another. Do you know somebody in the church who is undergoing hardship? Why don’t you get alongside them and remind them of the Lord’s vindication of the righteous? One day our oppressors, whether human or spiritual, will be put to shame, and we will enter into the joy of our Master. Let us serve Him faithfully, and hope in Him at all times.

This is the Gospel! As you should not leave out the message of God’s wrath when sharing the Gospel, so you should also remind people of God’s reward of the righteous. We can be made right with God only through Jesus Christ—but once we are, we have a hope that is stronger than the grave!

Pudding

So trust in the Lord at all times. He is just, and if you are hard-pressed for your faith in Him, know that He will vindicate you. If you happen to be an oppressor of those who live for God: know that God will bring you to judgment at the appointed time, unless you repent and turn to Christ for the forgiveness of your sin. He “will cut off the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.” Amen.