Psalms 76:1-12 - Homilies By C. Short

A psalm of triumph.

This is one of several psalms supposed to have been written in celebration of the sudden overthrow of Sennacherib's army in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem, and suggests the following truths—

I. THAT THE CHURCH IS GOD 'S PECULIAR ABODE , WHERE THE MOST GLORIOUS REVELATIONS OF HIS POWER AND GRACE ARE SEEN . ( Psalms 76:3 .) The gospel is most emphatically the "power of God unto salvation."

II. THAT GOD 'S GREATEST GLORY IS NOT IN DESTROYING , BUT IN SAVING AND REDEEMING , MEN . ( Psalms 76:4 6.) Here his power for destruction is celebrated; but in the New Testament his work of salvation—his power to give life, not his power to take it away.

III. GOD IS TO BE FEARED MORE FOR HIS HOLINESS AND LOVE THAN FOR HIS PHYSICAL OMNIPOTENCE . ( Psalms 76:7-9 .) These excite filial affectionate fear; that excites an unworthy slavish fear.

IV. GOD IS ABLE TO OVERRULE THE REBELLION OF MEN SO THAT IN THE END IT SHALL ILLUSTRATE HIS PRAISE . ( Psalms 76:10 .) God's love can conquer human wrath, and so make it praise him.

V. THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE GIFTS WE CAN OFFER TO GOD ARE THOSE OF REPENTANCE AND A RENEWED LIFE . ( Psalms 76:11 .) "A broken and a contrite spirit; "To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God;" "Let all that are around him do homage to his majesty."—S.