Psalm 75

by T.J. Sands, Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. | Category: The Psalms Of Asaph | Sept 1984

Of all the ways in which a lesson can be firmly implanted in our minds, the use of sharp contrasts is among the most effective. The judgements of God are the subject of this psalm in which, by the use of contrast with man's judgements, the message becomes clear and striking.

The Psalmist had realized, as he rubbed shoulders with those in authority in his generation, that the twin features of arrogance and wickedness were often only too noticeable. Together, these were leading to a stiff-necked, unbending tyranny that ignored God altogether. Can't we just see in this the sad truth that so many in authority throughout the world today act in the way they do, because there is no acknowledgement in their lives of the supreme authority of God in this world?

Here in Psalm 75, Asaph links those who deal like this with fools (verse 4 RVM). Whether men and women choose to accept or ignore the fact, verse 7 tells us that "God is the judge: He putteth down one, and lifteth up another". So here is our first great contrast between God's and man's judgements. Man's judgements are limited and only made with God's permission. God's judgements are eternal and infinite.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus, our behaviour can show to others whether the supremacy of God's authority is something we really believe in our hearts. As we deal with those over whom we may have authority - in business with staff responsible to us, in the home as parents toward our children, or in any other sphere - that authority is a trust placed upon us by our Master. It is not something which has come about by chance or through our own actions. "Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal," Paul wrote to the Colossians, "knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven" (4:1).

For our second contrast I'd like to go back to the very first verse. "We give thanks" sings Asaph "for Thy Name is near; men tell of Thy wondrous works." Just as the judgements of God are supreme, they are also personal. "Thy Name is near." As men's judgements are based on general considerations and limited knowledge, they can never approach the marvel of the nearness of God in His wondrous works. Why not pause for a few moments, think through God's dealings with you in a specific difficulty that you've come through and see how near God came to YOU? He worked for you in a way which would have suited the need of no one else. His wondrous works were for you personally.

But as well as being supreme and personal, God's judgements are also upright. "I will judge uprightly." God's righteous judgements involve a sharp line being drawn between the future prospects of God-fearing and God-rejecting men and women. Verse 8 pictures the terrible future which awaits the wicked:

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine foameth; It is full of mixture, and He poureth out of the same: Surely the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.

If instead of thinking of the wicked as a nebulous group, we bring to mind one or two actual people we regularly come into contact with who are Christ rejectors: has it really come home to us that this is THEIR future? Surely we who have known so much of God's blessings should be more ready to risk insult or rebuff to speak lovingly and earnestly to them about a way of salvation.

Only because of the work of the Lord Jesus have we escaped such punishments, for God's judgements are always just. But, "being now justified by His (Christ's) blood," Romans 5 assures us, "much more... shall we be saved from the wrath of God through Him." We can thus join in Asaph's happy song, "I will declare for ever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob."

T.J. Sands, Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. | Sept 1984
The Psalms Of Asaph