Psalm 76: Called Shot

Key Verse
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. Selah
 
Meditation
“Calling your shot” is a phrase to articulate specific intentions.  In 1932 Babe Ruth called his shot in a World Series game at Wrigley Field, breaking a 4-4 tie with a homer to center field. God calls His shot promising to save the humble who put their trust in Him.
 
Today’s Psalm of grateful praise looks back to great deliverance from God (vv. 1-6) and forward to God’s great judgement. (vv. 7-12) God has been faithful. God will be faithful. God is faithful.

The “prophetic perfect” is used for Old Testament prophecy speaking about the future in past tense, so sure of God’s faithfulness that events are spoken of as completed. God calls His shots. God is faithful to keep His promises.
 
The question “Who can stand?” (7) in the coming judgement must be answered.  Revelation 6:12-17 helps us see why! The picture of God’s great, end-time, final judgment leads worshippers to thanksgiving! From the heavens God will utter His judgments and the earth will fear and be still. (8)
 
God intends “to save all the humble of the earth,” (9)   the “meek” whose trust is not in “the kings of the earth… great ones and the generals and the rich and powerful.” (Revelation 6:15) Those who fully trust in the Lord put their faith in Jesus, the Lamb of God who took God’s wrath against sin so in Him believers can be saved from God’s just wrath against sin.
 
The humble will hope in God for salvation, an invitation for every person in every nation. God has called His shot. God will deliver.
 
Today’s Reading
In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. 2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah
 
4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey. 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. 
 
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. Selah
 
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. 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.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in today’s reading, especially the use of prophetic perfect to emphasize God’s faithfulness?
 
-Why is it significant that the Psalmist speaks of God’s judgment and salvation in the past tense?
 
-Jesus died to take the judgment we deserve for our sin. We humble ourselves before the Lord by trusting in Jesus and His work alone for our salvation. How do you need to humble yourself before the Lord? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
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. Selah