Introduction: I am not a Jew, sometimes it is easy to feel inferior as a Gentile – not of the chosen race! I am a Christian and in the Bible I am told that in Jesus there is neither Jew nor Gentile. We are from either background the forgiven children of our Father God. I still have to do a few things to make this Psalm ‘mine’!
1 In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.
2 His abode has been established in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion. – This makes sense to the Jew and I know that we are told to pray for Jerusalem. But the veil was torn when Jesus died for sinners and we don’t see God represented as sitting on a golden mercy seat only being approached once a year by the High Priest; and then only after many laws being carried out! Our High Priest permanently sits at the right hand of the Father enthroned in the heavens! But I say with joy that God is God in His dwelling place. I am called to praise Him because He has made Himself known both to the Jew and to the Gentiles!
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. – Jesus won His battle for God not against swords and shields. but against whips, nails and an agonizing death on the Cross outside Jerusalem. That is where much of the sacrificing was done to allow the Jewish High Priest to enter the Holiest of Holies! Selah
4 Glorious are you, more majestic
than the mountains full of prey. – I take it that this is referring to the temple and the city. I wouldn’t dare to compare God to His Creation for He is so infinitely greater!
5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
were unable to use their hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned. – All defenders of Jerusalem were gloriously beaten by God when it became the city of God, Zion!
7 But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still,
9 when God arose to establish judgment,
to save all the humble of the earth. – We live centuries after Asaph as did Jesus! Yet these few verses are very relevant to Jew and Gentile alike. Truly Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? Selah – Think about that!
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. – I’m honestly not sure what this means! I think it means something like ‘When man gets angry at injustice that anger praises God.’ God, however, has much more anger wrapped around Him for man’s continuing rebellion.
11 Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts
to him who is to be feared,
12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,
who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. – what this means is plain to Jew and Gentile. Let all of us keep our vows which we made unto God!
Romans 10: 11-13 – “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Prayer: Thank You, Thank You Jesus!