Another song of Asaph full of praise to God who “broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.” (Verse 3). Of course, Asaph and Israel were beneficiaries of these actions so they could rejoice in the knowledge that God resided in Judah and Israel, in Salem and Zion (verses 1-2).
God, according to the psalmist, had “uttered judgement” and “ judgement was established”. Yes, God speaks and it happens. That’s a statement about God’s powerful word. But this action, according to the psalmist, was “to save all the oppressed of the earth” (verses 8-9).
Who was oppressed then? Who is oppressed now? I can understand the people of Gaza and elsewhere asking, “When was that really?”
Maybe their oppressors have their interpretation of what it means that “Human wrath serves only to praise you” (verse 10). Well, that’s scary, to put it mildly- what will transpire when the Almighty “ binds the last bit of wrath” (verse 10) and “cuts off the spirit of princes” and “inspires fear in the kings of the earth” (verse 10). Wow! They are going to have their day. It’s just a real pity that judgement doesn’t happen right away. But as the saying goes, “the one who laughs last laughs best.”
Me? I really wish I didn’t ’have to wait for anyone’s downfall. If only they’d get smart and watch out lest they fall. But the crooked just don’t get it. The oppressive are so obsessed with being in power that only cutting them off will cause them to stop abusing it. They are bent on ‘being as gods’ that they don’t see their miserable hateful end coming. Who can help them?
Nowadays we hear a lot about dealing with ‘a lot of power’ to get the enemy to submit. The power dealer’s philosophy is increasingly attractive to some those already invested with power. They have a hard time figuring out that the many mighty will come to a full-stop at their junction with the Almighty.
Vengeance is mine, God says. I will repay.
