WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.080 Heavenly Father, we are here, not on our own merit, but only because of your mercy, we can stand before you. 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:29.820 So we pray, Lord, that as we turn to Psalm 76, we pray that you will speak to us, teach us about how you want us to live, remind us of your gospel. 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:31.480 Of your grace. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:39.920 So that we might live with the holy fear and love for you. 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:47.079 And we pray that that truth, Lord, would stir us into prayer. 00:00:47.260 --> 00:00:52.900 And as we pray, Lord, we pray that your holy spirit would lead us, meet with us in a powerful way. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:01:00.239 Lord, because we know, Lord, you want us to pray. 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:02.379 You answer prayer. 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:03.380 Amen. 00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:03.400 Amen. 00:01:05.340 --> 00:01:09.060 That's why we're here to seek you, Lord, to acknowledge our dependence on you. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:09.980 So please guide us. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:11.260 Help us. 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:13.540 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:14.140 Amen. 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:17.340 Psalm 76. 00:01:17.820 --> 00:01:19.159 The title of the psalm says, 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:21.780 To the choir master with stringed instruments, 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:23.060 a psalm of Asaph. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:23.780 A psalm. 00:01:24.460 --> 00:01:26.120 I'll just read it out loud, 12 verses. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:29.280 And we'll go from there. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:34.019 In Judah, God is known. 00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:35.920 His name is great in Israel. 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:39.079 His abode has been established in Salem, 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:41.340 his dwelling place in Zion. 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:43.960 There he broke the flashing arrows, 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:46.039 the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. 00:01:46.559 --> 00:01:46.959 Selah. 00:01:48.619 --> 00:01:49.659 Glorious are you, 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:51.299 more majestic than the mountains, 00:01:51.459 --> 00:01:52.159 full of prey. 00:01:52.839 --> 00:01:55.199 The stout-hearted were stripped of their spoil. 00:01:55.479 --> 00:01:56.859 They sank into sleep. 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:00.099 All the men of war were unable to use their hands. 00:02:00.839 --> 00:02:02.579 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:04.979 both rider and horse lay stunned. 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:07.859 But you, you are to be feared. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:09.819 Who can stand before you 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:11.620 when once your anger is roused? 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:13.840 From the heavens you utter judgment, 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:15.719 the earth feared and was still. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:18.659 When God arose to establish judgment, 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:20.760 to save all the humble of the earth. 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:21.740 Selah. 00:02:22.939 --> 00:02:25.200 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you. 00:02:25.480 --> 00:02:27.680 The remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:30.219 Make your vows to the Lord your God 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:30.960 and perform them. 00:02:31.260 --> 00:02:33.300 Let all around him bring gifts to him 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:34.200 who is to be feared, 00:02:34.560 --> 00:02:36.240 who cuts off the spirit of princes, 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:39.360 who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:44.980 Imagine a boy in grade school 00:02:44.980 --> 00:02:48.700 who dreads going to school 00:02:48.700 --> 00:02:51.360 because of a bully 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:54.620 that relentlessly goads him every single day 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.360 and he just wishes, 00:02:56.840 --> 00:02:58.980 would just let up for one day 00:02:58.980 --> 00:03:00.340 or he dreams of, 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:02.100 daydreams of moving away from school, 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.160 moving to another school 00:03:03.160 --> 00:03:05.460 so that he can be finally relieved of that. 00:03:05.460 --> 00:03:07.420 Or imagine like a small, 00:03:07.640 --> 00:03:07.860 you know, 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:08.599 in battle nation, 00:03:08.700 --> 00:03:09.480 maybe in the Middle East 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:10.700 where there's a lot of war 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:14.140 and just surrounded by more powerful nations 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:14.960 and they have no choice. 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:16.500 Their nation becomes a battleground 00:03:16.500 --> 00:03:20.760 and their families are torn apart 00:03:20.760 --> 00:03:24.500 and they just wish for it to finally let up. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:25.980 There's longing for peace, 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.500 for ceasefire in their country. 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:31.800 And whether we're aware of it or not, 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:36.400 that's the state that every Christian is in, right? 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:40.319 Because that's the plight that faces the church 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:41.979 even if we are unaware of it. 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:44.960 Because Jesus said to his disciples in John 15, 18 to 20, 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:46.840 If the world hates you, 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:49.180 know that it has hated me before it hated you. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:50.900 If you were of the world, 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:52.479 the world would love you as its own. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:03:54.240 But because you are not of the world, 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:55.840 but I chose you out of the world, 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:57.539 therefore the world hates you. 00:03:57.539 --> 00:03:59.400 Remember the word that I said to you, 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:01.219 a servant is not greater than his master. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:02.379 If they persecuted me, 00:04:02.739 --> 00:04:04.759 they will also persecute you. 00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:07.759 So we're surrounded by spiritual enemies 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:09.180 on every side, right? 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:10.620 And the world, the flesh and the devil 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:12.439 are conspiring together each day 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:14.620 to bring down the people of God 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:16.539 and they will not let up on their assault. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:18.599 So this is daily our experience. 00:04:19.539 --> 00:04:23.060 And if we don't feel this battle for our souls daily, 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.980 if we don't feel this fight for holiness, 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:29.480 and if we are not experiencing spiritual warfare in the world, 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:32.900 then that's probably a sign that we are more of this world 00:04:32.900 --> 00:04:34.280 than we ought to be. 00:04:35.580 --> 00:04:37.680 That the world is not opposing us 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:39.040 because we belong to the world. 00:04:40.200 --> 00:04:42.680 But if we are pursuing God's priorities and purposes, 00:04:42.840 --> 00:04:44.740 we always face opposition. 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:48.319 And that's really what this psalm is speaking to. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:51.240 It teaches us that we should fear the awesome God 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:54.360 who judges the world and establishes peace. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:56.400 That's really the main point. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:58.079 We should fear the awesome God 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:00.120 who judges the world and establishes peace. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:01.660 And this psalm is unique 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:05.939 because it uses interesting titles for God. 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:09.000 So the translation kind of misses it. 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.400 But in verses 1 to 3, 00:05:10.620 --> 00:05:12.519 God is called the renowned one. 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:14.139 In verses 4 to 9, 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:16.099 he's called the majestic one, 00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:17.139 the resplendent one, 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:18.039 the shining one. 00:05:18.599 --> 00:05:20.000 And in verses 10 to 12, 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:21.339 he's called the revered one. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.719 So that's really the outline I'll follow. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:23.819 So the renowned one, 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:25.019 the resplendent one, 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:26.240 the revered one. 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:27.319 And first, 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:29.719 it speaks of God as the renowned one in verse 1. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:30.019 It says, 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:30.599 In Judah, 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:31.579 God is known. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:33.899 His name is great in Israel. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:34.979 That phrase, 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:35.779 God is known, 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:36.300 is literally, 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:38.259 God is the known one in Judah. 00:05:38.599 --> 00:05:39.959 He is a known one. 00:05:40.439 --> 00:05:40.959 In other words, 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:43.039 God is the famous one, 00:05:43.219 --> 00:05:44.019 renowned one. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:46.479 Though other nations might not acknowledge him, 00:05:46.699 --> 00:05:48.699 God is known among his people in Judah. 00:05:48.979 --> 00:05:50.739 His name is great in Israel. 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:52.620 His reputation precedes him. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:54.159 That's what the psalmist is trying to tell them. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.039 And verse 2 continues that thought, 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.500 His abode has been established in Salem, 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.839 his dwelling place in Zion. 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.599 The place that God, 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:05.799 this God calls home, 00:06:05.859 --> 00:06:06.939 is among Israel, 00:06:07.039 --> 00:06:07.479 his people. 00:06:08.039 --> 00:06:09.759 Salem is an old name for Jerusalem. 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:11.120 Salem means peace. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:15.500 Zion is a mountain and a stronghold in Jerusalem. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:19.240 And it often is used to stand for the entire city itself. 00:06:19.319 --> 00:06:21.339 So Zion is just all referring to the same thing. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:21.699 Judah, 00:06:21.959 --> 00:06:22.360 Israel, 00:06:23.099 --> 00:06:23.439 Salem, 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:24.319 Zion. 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:27.939 And so there's a great sense of good, 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.360 healthy pride here in God. 00:06:30.659 --> 00:06:32.899 Saying that this is who our God is. 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:33.980 And there's a lot of, 00:06:34.079 --> 00:06:35.699 it's a declaration of faith. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:38.500 And it's not unlike what Joshua says, 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:39.779 right at the end of Joshua, 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.839 when the Israelites are, 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:42.300 you know, 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:43.000 talking about, 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:46.279 should we keep going this path? 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:47.100 Should we follow God? 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:49.079 And Joshua says, 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.300 choose this day, 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:51.100 chapter 24, 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:51.759 verse 15, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.660 choose this day whom you will serve, 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:56.420 whether the gods your father served in the region beyond the river, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:59.139 or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:00.540 But ask for me, 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:01.720 and my house, 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:03.579 we will serve the Lord. 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:07.199 And that's essentially what the psalmist is declaring here in these two verses. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:11.560 Your nations of the earth worship other gods and refuse to acknowledge our God. 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:14.300 But the God we worship is the true God. 00:07:14.680 --> 00:07:17.099 And though his name might not be on your lips, 00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:19.539 his name and praise are on our lips. 00:07:19.979 --> 00:07:20.360 He's saying, 00:07:20.479 --> 00:07:21.919 his name is great in Israel. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:22.799 In Judah, 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:23.740 God is known. 00:07:24.039 --> 00:07:25.819 And he is the renowned one. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.259 So there's that kind of declaration. 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:29.899 And that's the attitude that we should have also, 00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:30.240 of course, 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:30.819 as believers, 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:31.180 right? 00:07:31.259 --> 00:07:34.019 Because even though Christianity is increasingly unpopular, 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:34.540 right? 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:35.280 In our country, 00:07:36.220 --> 00:07:37.819 and especially this part of the country, 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:40.740 and our God is frequently vilified, 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:44.180 and his name is often taken in vain, 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:47.379 but we shouldn't be cowered into embarrassment. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:47.819 Rather, 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:50.340 we should declare proudly in our church, 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:51.860 in my home, 00:07:52.340 --> 00:07:53.139 God is known. 00:07:53.620 --> 00:07:54.699 And God is great. 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:57.000 And his name is great in our gathering. 00:07:57.639 --> 00:07:59.019 And his home is with us. 00:07:59.139 --> 00:07:59.939 He dwells in our midst. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:02.000 And that's what Psalm is declaring here. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:03.779 And in verse two, 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.180 tells us a little bit more about our God, 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.860 than the translation lets on. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:08.740 So let me explain. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.060 The word abode, 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:10.899 in verse two, 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:13.759 is a word that literally means thicket. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:19.439 It's a metaphorical word that depicts a lion emerging from the thicket, 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:22.159 like to devour his prey. 00:08:22.159 --> 00:08:26.920 And that's why that same word is used in Jeremiah 4, 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:27.379 verse seven, 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:27.920 25, 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:28.439 38, 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:29.460 Psalm 10, 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:29.840 nine, 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:30.460 Amos three, 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:30.759 four, 00:08:30.840 --> 00:08:34.279 and song of songs to refer to a lion's den or a lair. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:35.240 It's the same word. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.560 It refers to a lion's lair. 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:37.899 And similarly, 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.779 the word dwelling place, 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:40.919 in verse two, 00:08:41.839 --> 00:08:44.659 refers to a lion's den in Nahum chapter two, 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.459 verse 12. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:47.879 We're in Psalm 76. 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:51.039 And so, 00:08:51.339 --> 00:08:54.439 and then if you look at Job 38, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:54.959 39, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:55.399 40, 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:57.519 it uses those, 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:01.379 both of those words that are translated in verse two as abode and dwelling place. 00:09:01.379 --> 00:09:02.019 And, 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:02.919 and it's, 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.460 it's translated this way, 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:05.639 Job 38, 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:06.240 39, 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:06.580 40. 00:09:07.299 --> 00:09:17.340 Can you hunt the prey for the lion or satisfy the appetite of the young lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket? 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:20.559 Those are the two words that are translated here as abode and dwelling place. 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:20.820 So, 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:27.320 so the Psalmist is intentionally using a poetic imagery of a lion to describe God, 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:30.240 that God's dwelling place is a den that he comes, 00:09:30.400 --> 00:09:31.560 emerges from a thicket. 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:35.040 And so he is here being described as the lion of Judah, 00:09:35.260 --> 00:09:35.500 right? 00:09:35.540 --> 00:09:37.920 That's prophesied in Genesis 49, 00:09:38.040 --> 00:09:38.280 nine. 00:09:38.640 --> 00:09:41.180 He is a lion who emerges majestically from his den. 00:09:41.260 --> 00:09:42.940 And that's the place where he makes his dwelling. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:45.340 And then that place where he makes his dwellings with his people. 00:09:45.960 --> 00:09:48.360 And here's why that lion imagery is significant. 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:49.600 Cause it says in verse three, 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:52.160 there he broke the flashing arrows, 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:52.900 the shield, 00:09:53.020 --> 00:09:53.540 the sword, 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:54.640 and the weapons of war. 00:09:55.040 --> 00:09:55.440 Selah. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:59.780 So the mighty lion of Judah breaks all the weapons of war. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:03.420 And notice it doesn't specify verse three, 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:05.200 whose weapons are in view here, 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:05.500 right? 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:10.720 It doesn't say that God destroys his enemies and they breaks their weapons. 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:13.880 It says that he breaks the weapons of war in general, 00:10:14.020 --> 00:10:14.200 right? 00:10:14.640 --> 00:10:18.940 And combine that with the fact that he is described as dwelling in Salem, 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:20.000 which means peace. 00:10:20.400 --> 00:10:21.440 I think this is a, 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:21.760 this, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:25.519 this language is pointed to the fact that God is not that, 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:28.000 not that God is merely victorious in battle, 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:30.519 but that God puts an end to war period. 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:35.799 He brings ultimate permanent peace by reigning over all things. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:38.860 And it's the similar idea found in Psalm 46, 00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:39.139 nine, 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:41.879 where it says he makes war seize to the end of the earth. 00:10:42.019 --> 00:10:44.819 He breaks the bow and shatters the spear. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.540 He burns the chariots with fire. 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:49.940 So the idea that's here is not merely that God's victorious in warfare, 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:52.500 but that God is abolishing war once and for all. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:53.660 And that, 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:56.100 and that's a common theme in the prophets as well. 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:59.720 So that's the first point that God is the renowned one. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:02.000 And then starting in verse four, 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:05.780 the Psalmist shifts to using the second person and addresses God directly. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:06.779 Uh, 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:10.179 and he gives God the title of the resplendent one, 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.959 or literally the shining one. 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.299 That's the literal meaning of the phrase glorious. 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:14.759 Are you? 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:16.019 He's the shining one. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:16.959 Uh, 00:11:16.959 --> 00:11:17.279 and, 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:17.600 uh, 00:11:17.839 --> 00:11:18.279 he's, 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:21.659 he says he is more majestic than the mountains full of prey. 00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:23.120 That's kind of a, 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:25.039 shows the distance of the time, 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:25.319 right? 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:26.039 And then we, 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:27.980 it's an image that doesn't really make sense to us, 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:28.179 right? 00:11:28.179 --> 00:11:28.600 Because, 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:29.740 um, 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:31.059 it's, 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:32.919 we don't have mountains full of prey, 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:33.500 but, 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:33.720 uh, 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:35.759 this is an expression that the people in the, 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:40.139 ancient world in this part of the world used to describe something glorious and majestic. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:43.740 It's kind of in a similar way that we would describe maybe, 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.279 uh, 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.039 you know, 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.240 metropolis, 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:46.759 you know, 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.740 a skyline of, 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:47.939 of, 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:48.439 of a city, 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.860 a cityscape or something like that, 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:50.019 right? 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:50.759 That's glorious, 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:51.019 right? 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:52.019 So for these people, 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:52.699 uh, 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:53.740 looking at a mountain, 00:11:53.939 --> 00:11:55.399 let's say full of a herd of, 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:55.980 uh, 00:11:55.980 --> 00:11:57.360 mountain goats or, 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.120 or a herd of mountain gazelles or, 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:00.740 or a flock of mountain goats, 00:12:00.839 --> 00:12:01.360 that's the, 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:02.839 that was glorious. 00:12:02.959 --> 00:12:03.120 I mean, 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:03.860 imagine these, 00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:05.759 all these animals covering the face of the mountain. 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.379 I mean, 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.259 it looks majestic, 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:07.659 right? 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:10.039 And he's saying that that majestic sight, 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:12.159 God is more glorious than that. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.699 He's more majestic than that. 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:15.639 And then in verses five to, 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:16.199 uh, 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.839 six tells us that this shining God, 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:21.459 resplendent God puts an end to war once and for all. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:24.019 The stout hearted were stripped of their spoil. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:25.240 They sank into sleep. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.659 All the men of war were unable to use their hands. 00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:28.819 At your rebuke, 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.519 Oh God of Jacob, 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:32.279 both rider and horse lay stunned. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:35.500 the stout word hearted, 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:36.539 stout hearted warriors, 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:38.279 the men of war were likewise defeated. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.199 Um, 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:42.120 the phrase sank into sleep is likely a euphemism for death. 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:42.559 Uh, 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:44.960 so at the mere rebuke of God, 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.679 he doesn't even raise his hand. 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:48.199 He simply rebukes them. 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.960 All the enemies are, 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.780 are laid to rest. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.420 They're stunned. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:53.460 They're defeated. 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.500 Uh, 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:56.560 and when God rises to render his judgment, 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:59.860 none can protest or clamor or so, 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:01.220 but in fear and trembling, 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.500 they have to receive God's judgment. 00:13:02.660 --> 00:13:04.460 That's what verses seven to nine is talking about. 00:13:04.640 --> 00:13:04.860 It says, 00:13:05.400 --> 00:13:05.840 but you, 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:08.800 you are to be feared who can stand before you. 00:13:08.820 --> 00:13:11.500 When once your anger is roused from the heavens, 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.480 you utter judgment. 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:16.400 The earth feared and was still when God arose to establish judgment, 00:13:16.400 --> 00:13:18.080 to save all the humble of the earth. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:18.720 Selah. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:19.580 Right? 00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:20.740 So when heaven speaks, 00:13:21.180 --> 00:13:22.100 earth must listen, 00:13:22.540 --> 00:13:23.080 be silent. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.920 When God renders judgment from heaven, 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:26.680 earth must stand still in fear. 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:30.759 And so God judged the whole earth and saves all the humble of the earth. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:36.900 And because God is an awesome God who judges the world and establishes peace for his people, 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.860 the psalmist tells us that we should fear him. 00:13:39.140 --> 00:13:39.200 Right? 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:44.259 Verses 10 to 12 transitions to the appropriate response of man, 00:13:44.520 --> 00:13:46.160 how we should respond to God, 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:49.740 who establishes peace for his people and judges the wicked of the world. 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.679 It says in verse 10, 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:53.199 surely the wrath of man shall praise you. 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:55.899 The ramson of wrath you will put on like a belt. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.819 It's confusing initially, 00:13:58.000 --> 00:13:58.860 but what he means is, 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.919 even the wrath of man that, 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.299 that, 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:04.000 that rails against God, 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:10.139 that wrath of man will succumb to the renowned and resplendent one and will eventually praise him. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.500 And like a, 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:11.719 you know, 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:14.919 champion boxer who puts on the title belt around, 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:16.479 around his waist after his victory, 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:20.039 God will wear the remnant of wrath as a belt, 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:20.779 like a trophy. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:22.519 Those who will defeat him. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:22.740 And, 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:25.439 and then therefore the psalmist exhorts everyone, 00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:26.839 verses 11 to 12, 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:28.360 make your vows to the Lord, 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.779 your God and perform them. 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:33.179 Let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared, 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:35.639 who cuts off the spirit of princes, 00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:38.360 who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:40.899 So twice in these last two verses, 00:14:41.079 --> 00:14:44.079 God is described as one who is to be feared. 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:44.419 Right? 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:47.899 And that literally means the feared one. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.259 God is the feared one. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:52.559 And the word fear is a key word that's repeated four times in the psalm. 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:54.419 And it's always referring to the fear of God. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.439 And, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:58.200 and the word fear in Hebrew can refer to, 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.720 uh, 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.259 terror, 00:14:59.580 --> 00:14:59.740 right? 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.919 Being terrified of something, 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:01.840 uh, 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.519 so that you should flee, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.860 but also refers to a reverence, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.340 um, 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:06.700 right? 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:10.819 That governs the actions of God's people and inspires their worship. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.740 So that's why in Exodus 22, 00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.259 20, 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:15.779 when God appears to his people on Mount Sinai, 00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:17.220 Moses tells them, 00:15:17.319 --> 00:15:17.779 uh, 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:18.819 do not fear, 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.240 uh, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:23.580 because God has come to test you so that the fear of God may be with you to keep 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.220 you from sinning. 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:26.740 So there are two words for that are you, 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:28.139 that will fear. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.879 It's the same Hebrew word that's translated as fear in both cases. 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.159 But in the first case, 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:32.500 when he said, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.200 do not fear, 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.200 it refers to a fear, 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:35.200 a terror of God. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.960 He's saying, 00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:38.039 telling God's people don't fear him in that way. 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:39.319 But then he tells them, 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:43.539 he came to you to test you so that the fear of God may be with you to keep you 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:44.059 from sinning. 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.259 So that second instance, 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:45.980 the same word, 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:49.059 but fear in that context means a reverence that keeps you from sinning. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:50.500 That keeps people from sinning. 00:15:50.599 --> 00:15:54.219 It means to walk before the face of God and to recognize his presence. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.960 And we are all called to live that way. 00:15:57.040 --> 00:15:58.600 Even the princes and kings of the earth, 00:15:58.660 --> 00:15:58.980 he says, 00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.879 I have to fear God here. 00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:02.660 But do we live with this kind of fear of God, 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.639 with the reverence of God? 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.960 Do we conduct ourselves with holy fear? 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:08.860 And do we live with an awareness that an awesome, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:12.019 awe-inspiring God is indwelling us, 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:13.220 that he's walking with us? 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:14.600 And if we did, 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:17.960 how would this affect what we say and what we do? 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:21.060 And in the New Testament, 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.820 of course, 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:27.700 this revered one is ultimately revealed to us in Jesus Christ, 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.379 the Son of God. 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:32.879 Because the problem with this psalm is that it says, 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:34.519 in Judah God is known, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:35.660 his name is great in Israel, 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:39.180 but this isn't true if you look at the history of Israel. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:41.579 It's true in some points of their history. 00:16:42.199 --> 00:16:44.399 And it was what they hoped for, 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.539 what they should have done, 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:47.679 but they failed to worship God. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:50.259 And they went after the idols of other nations. 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:53.279 And so they were not the humble of the earth, 00:16:53.359 --> 00:16:53.959 in verse 9, 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.839 that God saved. 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:57.099 So they were instead part of the world 00:16:57.099 --> 00:16:59.199 that would incur God's judgment. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:00.559 And so then, 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:02.939 if that's us and that's our faith, 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:07.019 then how can we place our hope and trust in this God? 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:09.019 And that dilemma, 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:11.759 that question is answered when Jesus Christ comes. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.619 And he is, 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.139 of course, 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.379 the lion of the tribe of Judah, 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.180 the root of David who is conquered. 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:21.379 Revelation 5.5 describes him that way, right? 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:24.079 And that's the, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:29.119 it's a fulfillment of all the metaphorical uses of the lion 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.980 to describe God in the prophetic books, 00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.900 in the Psalms, 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:35.539 and ultimately the fulfillment of the prophecy in Genesis 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:38.220 that describes that the Messiah will be a lion 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.139 from the tribe of Judah. 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:41.319 And Jesus came and he conquered, 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:45.180 like the God who is described here in Psalm 76. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.740 He is the God who is described here. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.779 And how did God, 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:49.920 how did God conquer? 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.779 How did Christ, 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.000 the lion of Judah, 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:52.460 conquer? 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:54.339 And in that same passage, 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:57.779 a couple verses later in Revelation 5.6, 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.680 in one verse later, 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:01.839 the lion of Judah that conquered, 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:04.519 when John turns to look at this lion of Judah, 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:06.639 instead of seeing a lion that conquered, 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.279 he sees, 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:07.920 he says, 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:11.000 a lamb standing as though it had been slain. 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:14.420 And so there's intentional paradox there, right? 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.799 That he is the lion of Judah who is conquered, 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:20.599 but the way he conquered is by being slain as the lamb of God. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.759 And by dying on the cross for our sins, 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:25.299 he conquered sin and death. 00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:27.000 And because he did that for us, 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:31.139 now this hope that is expressed here is ours, right? 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.060 Because he has saved us, 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.780 because those who humble ourselves, 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:35.680 humble themselves and repent of their sins 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.800 and acknowledge their need for Christ, 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:39.300 are saved by God. 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:43.000 And so now this hope that's expressed in this psalm becomes ours. 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.460 And that means, 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:44.880 of course, 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.460 then ultimately, 00:18:45.800 --> 00:18:47.660 when we are embattled, 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.080 right? 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:49.259 When we are tempted, 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:51.180 when we face trials and suffering, 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:55.720 and when men of war assail us at every side, 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:57.160 are the enemies of the sold world, 00:18:57.320 --> 00:19:00.660 flesh and the devil seek to make us sink into the mire, 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:03.180 we can hope in God 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.759 and know that God will come, 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:07.180 the renowned one of Israel, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.420 the resplendent one, 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:10.920 the revered one will come 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.799 and establish his peace 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:15.120 and give us ultimate peace and rest 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:17.039 that only God can give. 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.980 So with that hope, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:20.740 let's see.