Asaph expounds God’s praises, starting like this: “ We give thanks, to you, O God;
We give thanks: your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds.”( verse 1)
Whenever someone says thanks, it is for some good gift, material or otherwise, that has been received. So when people ( plural) can tell of good things, lovely things, great things, life – promoting things that can be attributed to God, then praise flows naturally. Because praise is about showing and telling the goodness of a Giving God.
Why then does the psalmist move so quickly into verse 2 about the set time when [God] will judge with equity? Isn’t it naturally frightening to consider that if God were to judge with equity, then none of us would pass the test? He is right to observe that when this happens, the earth will totter (verse 3), whatever that means. Of course it means that even the created order will be unsteady. A state of disequilibrium will have the used-to-be-steady feeling as if they’re ready to topple over! What’s good about that except to force our reflection that even in the mess we’ve made, God is going to fix us up, clean us up, make us not- as- messy as we truly are. I suppose the word equity should remind us that we’ll not be judged as if we should have met God’s impeccable standards. But that rather, each and every one who truly seeks the justice that resides in God, rather than justice earned, will be a beneficiary. Yes, this God who steadies earth’s pillars (verse 3), will hold up those who stand on the promise of peace giving pardon.
Pardon. This is critical. Seek pardon. Don’t boast of any entitlement! Hear the word to the arrogant in verse 4 “I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast’. And take note of the warning to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with insolent neck.’ Watch out! This is not a promise that injustice will score justice points. Reading verses 6 through 8, what we get is a promise of the changing of the guard. Either you fall in line or fall out. Equity doesn’t mean that the just and the unjust score equal points. Whoever wants to know the good gift of being judged with equity must seek to discontinue unjust doings. Because the ‘horns of the wicked’ are going to be cut off (verse 10) while the horns of the righteous will be lifted.
So, did you get the point. ‘Equity’ is about God’s bias-free straightness, absolute fairness, complete integrity. And the only way you or I access it’s full benefits is to get in line with the Ruler. Straight! Leave all crookedness behind; and recognising that this Good God can help even the wicked to fall in line, is reason enough to say thanks. And when people (plural) can give thanks for these wondrous doings, that spells praise. That says “Thank you” for the goodness of God.Psalm 75Psaml 75- We Give Thanks
