Blog on Psalm 76 - Rev. Susan Salo

"Going to Zion to worship our mighty God."

INTRODUCTION: This Psalm is a hymn celebrating Zion as the place God has chosen to dwell. It also serves as a celebration of a time when God delivered Zion from invaders. When the congregation sang this, they marvelled at the privilege of going to Zion and worshiping there, and thanked God.

QUESTIONS:
Do we marvel at the privilege of worshiping Jesus in the midst of our congregation?
When has God rescued you from danger?
Do you remember what he has done for you?
Are you thankful?

OBSERVATION: V.1-2, The maker of heaven and earth has chosen his people, Israel, and Zion as his dwelling place on earth. In a great battle God defended Zion from invaders. We read here of God breaking flashing arrows, shields, and weapons of war. [Oh, that he would do it again!]

V.4 reads of God's  glorious majesty as being more glorious than mountains. Next, we see the defeated army, weapons being destroyed at the rebuke of God, v. 6 resulting  in worship by his people.  "It is you alone who are to be feared," v.7. We stand with Israel in awestruck wonder at the power of our God unleashed to deliver his people, v.10. In v.11-12 we are bidden to make commitments to the Lord - and keep them - because God takes our vows seriously.

INTERPRETATION: Like Israel, we are to marvel at the works God has done for us. Most of us have some story of when we were rescued from some calamity or other, BUT, how cool is it, that our story joins with God's great story of salvation - beginning with the people of Israel and coming to climax with Jesus, his Son, on the cross? The enemy defeated for us is sin and death, "Death has lost it's grip on me!" So, if you're tempted (like me) to grumble about getting up early on Sunday to go to church, try instead to marvel at the privilege of worshiping our God together, hearing the Bible preached and taught, feeding our souls with the goodness of God. Let's be the salt in the world, light in our situation. "People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds." Amen.

PRAYER: Lord, keep us faithful. Refresh our memories of times when you have brought us through the storms of life. Give us strength to endure to the end, that we may praise you along with all the company of heaven, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev.4.8)

HYMN:  "Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty!"