Read
(A psalm and a song by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.”)
Praise God
1Our God, we thank you
for being so near to us!
Everyone celebrates
your wonderful deeds.
2You have set a time
to judge with fairness.
3The earth trembles,
and its people shake;
you alone keep
its foundations firm.
4You tell every bragger,
“Stop bragging!”
And to the wicked you say,
“Don't boast of your power!
5Stop bragging! Quit telling me
how great you are.”
6Our Lord and our God,
victory doesn't come
from the east or the west
or from the desert.
7You are the one who judges.
You can take away power
and give it to others.
8You hold in your hand
a cup filled with wine,
strong and foaming.
You will pour out some
for every sinful person
on this earth,
and they will have to drink
until it is gone.
9But I will always tell about
you, the God of Jacob,
and I will sing your praise.
10Our Lord, you will destroy
the power of evil people,
but you will give strength
to those who are good.
Reflect
If you had to diagram history, what would you draw? Endless circles – history repeating itself? Or a line snaking downward as the human gift for technology intertwines with the human appetite for destruction?
The map drawn in Psalm 75 follows a different trajectory than any we might sketch based on current events. The history of the universe, the psalmist reveals, is not a story of entropy or decline but of destiny and purpose. No matter how much the earth may tremble, or how often its people may shake, God is upholding the world and keeping its foundations firm (v 3).
Psalm 75 also tells us that the story of the universe is a story about judgment. But where the word “judgment” might be off-putting to contemporary minds, it’s a reality for which the psalmist longs. When God “judges with fairness,” (v 2) he will end the tyranny of evil forever. God’s people see his coming judgment not as a threat but as a promise—the rightly-ordered, good-saturated destiny of the universe.
But here’s the rub. God’s final judgment will happen “at the appointed time (v 2, NIV),” and his perspective on time is different than ours. If this reality was frustrating for the Israelites, it’s utterly baffling in this speed-obsessed 21st century. Psalm 75 reminds us that God is on his own timetable.
Why doesn’t God move faster? The writer of 2 Peter provides a hint: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (3:9, NIV). Meanwhile, history unfolds in the palm of God’s loving hand. Read Psalm 75:1 again, and remember that God not only has plans for this story, he’s right here with us in the middle of it.
Respond
God, you are the Lord of the past, the present and the future. I praise you because you have incredible plans for all you have created. As you move the universe towards the complete triumph of good over evil, I ask you to work that same miracle within me. Thank you for the chance to participate with you in the redemption of your creation – please show me what that looks like in my life today. Amen.
Carolyn Arends
Carolyn Arends (MA, Theological Studies, Regent College), has released 12 award-winning albums and 3 critically-acclaimed books. Her prose has been recognized by The Word Guild, The Evangelical Press Association, and the Canadian Church Press. Carolyn is currently the Director of Education for Renovaré, a far-reaching organization that encourages and nurtures spiritual renewal. She continues to be available on a select basis for speaking, retreat facilitation, concerts, worship leading and songwriting and performance seminars. She lives in Surrey, BC with her husband Mark and their two children. Book Releases 2012 Theology in Aisle 7 (CTE Books) 2008 Wrestling With Angels (Harvest House/ConversantLife)* Album Releases 2014 Christmas: The Story of Stories (2B Records), 2009 Love Was Here First (2B Records/Signpost Music).