Psalm 76

Tidbits from Believer's Bible Commentary, by William MacDonald:

The historical backdrop of Psalm 76 is the threat against Jerusalem by Sennacherib and the Assyrian army.  The first verse praises God for His spectacular overthrow of the enemy.  His angel came and slew 185,000 of the Assyrians as they slept. 

In verses 2-4, we see God designating Jerusalem, the city of peace, as His capital, and the hill of Zion as the place where He dwells.  Here He smashed the weapons of the enemy--arrows, shields, swords, and all the other weapons they had.  Jerusalem's God is greater and more glorious than any power that might lift up a hand against Judah.

Verses 5-6 describe what happened to the Assyrian army.  "The stouthearted warriors suddenly dropped their weapons.  In a moment they became powerless.  One word from the God of Jacob and both riders and horses sank into the sleep of death."  (p. 664)

In verses 7-9 we see how great God is, how greatly He should be feared, and how futile it is to oppose Him when He is angry.  He pronounces judgment from heaven, earth trembles and becomes still, and He steps in to right the wrongs of earth, delivering the oppressed people.

Verse 10 tells how God makes the wrath of man praise Him.  This poem comes next:

The wrath of men shall praise Thee,

The rest shalt Thou restrain,

And out of earth's disasters

Will bring eternal gain.

The purpose of man's evil heart

Works out Thy sovereign will.

Our God is still upon the throne,

Therefore, believe, be still.

Be still and know that I am God,

This banishes our fears,

While passing through this scene of strife,

Of sorrow and of tears.

The One who rules the heavenly hosts

Holds all within His hand,

And none can say, "What doest Thou?"

Or can His arm withstand.

~Author unknown

(from pages 664-665)

Verses 11-12:  "In view of the inexpressible greatness and glory of the Lord, the people of Judah are exhorted to make vows to the Lord their God, and to pay them.  Then the Gentile nations surrounding Israel are counseled to bring presents as tribute to the Supreme Ruler--this Mighty One who can reduce earth's princes to size and cause awesome things to happen to the most powerful rulers."  (p. 665)

Law and Grace: I Corinthians 9

Thoughts from the commentary I'm using right now, from I Corinthians 9:20ff:

"At this point a brief word of explanation is necessary.  As a Jew, Paul had been born under the law.  He sought to obtain favor with God by keeping the law, but found that he was unable to do so>  The law only showed him what a wretched sinner he was, and utterly condemned him.  Eventually he learned that the law was not a way of salvation, but only God's method of revealing to man his sinfulness and his need of a savior.  Paul then trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in so doing he became free from the condemning voice of the law.  The penalty of the law which he had broken was paid by the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary.

"After his conversion, the apostle learned that the law was not the way of salvation, nor was it the rule of life for one who had been saved.  The believer is not under law but under grace.  This does not mean that he can go out and do as he pleases.  Rather, it means that a true sense of the grace of God will prevent him from even wanting to do these things.  Indwelt by the Spirit of God, the Christian is raised to a new level of behavior.  He now desires to live a holy life, not out of fear of punishment for having broken the law, but out of love for Christ, who died for him and rose again.  Under law the motive was fear, but under grace the motive is love.  Love is a far higher motive than fear.  Men will do out of love what they would never do from terror."  (Believer's Bible Commentary, William MacDonald, p. 1777)

Hymns #60 - Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed (At the Cross)

Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed

a.k.a. At the Cross 

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Refrain

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Refrain

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Refrain

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Refrain

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Refrain

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

Refrain

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.

(Words by Isaac Watts)

Hymns #59 - Abide in Thee

 Abide in Thee

Abide in Thee, in that deep love of Thine,
My Jesus, Lord, Thou Lamb of God divine;
Down, closely down, as living branch with tree,
I would abide, my Lord, my Christ, in Thee.

Abide in Thee, my Savior, God, I know
How love of Thine, so vast, in me may flow:
My empty vessel running o’er with joy,
Now overflows to Thee without alloy.

Abide in Thee, nor doubt, nor self, nor sin,
Can e’er prevail with Thy blest life within;
Joined to Thyself, communing deep, my soul
Knows naught besides its motions to control.

Abide in Thee, ’tis thus alone I know
The secrets of Thy mind e’en while below;
All joy and peace, and knowledge of Thy Word,
All power and fruit, and service for the Lord.

(Words by Joseph D. Smith)

Hymns #58 - Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near

Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near

Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near—
Thy Savior’s gracious promise hear,
His faithful Word declares to thee,
That as thy days thy strength shall be.

Let not thy heart despond and say
How shall I stand the trying day?
He has engaged by firm decree,
That as thy days thy strength shall be.

Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong,
And if the conflict should be long,
The Lord will make the tempter flee,
For as thy days thy strength shall be.

Should persecution rage and flame,
Still trust in thy Redeemer’s name;
In fiery trials thou shalt see,
That as thy days thy strength shall be.

When called to bear thy weighty cross,
Or sore affliction, pain, or loss,
Or deep distress or poverty,
Still as thy days thy strength shall be.

(Words by John Fawcett)

Hymns #57 - Afflictions Do Not Come Alone

In light of the last chapter, this song seemed appropriate to insert here:

Afflictions Do Not Come Alone

Afflictions do not come alone,
A voice attends the rod;
By both He to His saints is known,
A Father and a God!

Let not My children slight the stroke
I for chastisement send;
Nor faint beneath My kind rebuke,
For still I am their Friend.

The wicked I perhaps may leave
Awhile, and not reprove;
But all the children I receive
I scourge, because I love.

If therefore you were left without
This needful discipline;
You might, with cause, admit a doubt,
If you, indeed, were Mine.

Shall earthly parents then expect
Their children to submit?
And wilt not you, when I correct,
Be humbled at My feet?

To please themselves they oft chastise,
And put their sons to pain;
But you are precious in My eyes,
And shall not smart in vain.

I see your hearts, at present, filled
With grief, and deep distress;
But soon these bitter seeds shall yield
The fruits of righteousness.

Break through the clouds, dear Lord, and shine!
Let us perceive Thee nigh!
And to each mourning child of Thine
These gracious words apply.

(Words by John Newton)

Hymns #56 - Absent from Flesh! O Blissful Thought!

Absent from Flesh! O Blissful Thought!

Absent from flesh! O blissful thought!
What unknown joys this moment brings!
Freed from the mischiefs sin has brought,
From pains, and fears, and all their springs.

Absent from flesh! illustrious day!
Surprising scene! triumphant stroke
That rends the prison of my clay;
And I can feel my fetters broke.

Absent from flesh! then rise, my soul,
Where feet nor wings could never climb,
Beyond the heav’ns, where planets roll,
Measuring the cares and joys of time.

I go where God and glory shine,
His presence makes eternal day:
My all that’s mortal I resign,
For angels wait and point my way.

(Words by Isaac Watts)