Praising God for His Judgment and Grace
Praising God for his judgment and grace.
Psalm 76-80
Psalm 78:36-38, “But they deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them.”
While we sing the songs of God’s grace, in the Psalms, we are reminded to sing the praise of His justice and judgment, for He reveals both in His response to people. In Psalm 76, the Psalmist praises God for His judgment upon those who reject Him. God is just and righteous in all His actions. If God overlooked sin, then He would be complacent and accepting of sin. For God to tolerate sin would mean He condones rebellion and those who violate His law. Thus, in Psalm 76, the Psalmist sings the praise of God because of His judgment upon those who reject His law. But His judgment is not capricious or arbitrary; rather, it is grounded in His righteousness and His rejection of sin. We desire a God of love but reject the God who brings judgment. Yet His holiness cannot allow sin to remain unpunished. Thus the Psalmist warns, “And who may stand in your presence when once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment, to save the humble of the earth.” (vs 7-9). In verse 10, we read “For the wrath of man shall praise you.” This does not speak of the wrath that man possesses, but the wrath that comes against man. God’s judgment against sinful man will bring His praise, for it testifies of his righteousness and holiness.
However, even as the Psalmist praises God for His judgment upon sin, he also gives us the hope and promise of God’s forgiveness and protect. In 76:11-12, he calls upon people to make their vows to God and to seek the mercy of God. In verse 9, he reminds us that even as God arose to bring judgment, He also comes to bring salvation to the humble of the earth. The humble refer to those who seek the deliverance and redemption of the lord. It refers to those who are poor and afflicted, that is, those who are afflicted by the guilt of their sin and thus seek the forgiveness of God.
This theme of divine judgment and divine forgiveness is further illustrated in the history of Israel (Psalm 78). In Psalm 78, the Psalmist recounts the continual pride and sin of the people of Israel. Time and time again, they rebelled against God. As a result, God brought judgment upon the nation. They gave lip service to God, but did not surrender their life to Him (78:36-37). We see the same response to God today. Many claim to be Christians; they claim to believe in God and have faith in Him, but they continually disregard God’s word and they constantly disobey God. However, the history of Israel reminds us that if we only give lip service to God without living in obedience to God, we will face judgment, even as Israel did time and time again (78:8-11, 17-20, 23, 30-31). Nevertheless, God also demonstrated His grace to them when they turned to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. God is also compassionate, and when Israel acknowledged their sin, He continually forgave their sin. No matter how often they rebelled, when they cried out to God for salvation, God delivered them. This becomes our hope, for no matter how many times we sin against God, He is willing to forgive our sins and restore our relationship with Him. He continues to promise that if we turn to Him, He will be our shepherd and care for us. Just as His righteousness demands the judgment of sin, His grace and compassion lead Him to deliver and forgive our sins for the sake of His glory (79:9). His justice warns us that He does not allow sin to go unpunished. Still, His grace gives us the assurance that if we seek His forgiveness, he will forgive and restore our relationship with him. Both of these activities are worthy of our praise. Today, in your prayers, praise God for His justice and judgment upon sin, but also praise Him for His grace and forgiveness, for both reflect the glory.
Psalm 76-80
Psalm 78:36-38, “But they deceived Him with their mouth and lied to Him with their tongue. For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them.”
While we sing the songs of God’s grace, in the Psalms, we are reminded to sing the praise of His justice and judgment, for He reveals both in His response to people. In Psalm 76, the Psalmist praises God for His judgment upon those who reject Him. God is just and righteous in all His actions. If God overlooked sin, then He would be complacent and accepting of sin. For God to tolerate sin would mean He condones rebellion and those who violate His law. Thus, in Psalm 76, the Psalmist sings the praise of God because of His judgment upon those who reject His law. But His judgment is not capricious or arbitrary; rather, it is grounded in His righteousness and His rejection of sin. We desire a God of love but reject the God who brings judgment. Yet His holiness cannot allow sin to remain unpunished. Thus the Psalmist warns, “And who may stand in your presence when once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment, to save the humble of the earth.” (vs 7-9). In verse 10, we read “For the wrath of man shall praise you.” This does not speak of the wrath that man possesses, but the wrath that comes against man. God’s judgment against sinful man will bring His praise, for it testifies of his righteousness and holiness.
However, even as the Psalmist praises God for His judgment upon sin, he also gives us the hope and promise of God’s forgiveness and protect. In 76:11-12, he calls upon people to make their vows to God and to seek the mercy of God. In verse 9, he reminds us that even as God arose to bring judgment, He also comes to bring salvation to the humble of the earth. The humble refer to those who seek the deliverance and redemption of the lord. It refers to those who are poor and afflicted, that is, those who are afflicted by the guilt of their sin and thus seek the forgiveness of God.
This theme of divine judgment and divine forgiveness is further illustrated in the history of Israel (Psalm 78). In Psalm 78, the Psalmist recounts the continual pride and sin of the people of Israel. Time and time again, they rebelled against God. As a result, God brought judgment upon the nation. They gave lip service to God, but did not surrender their life to Him (78:36-37). We see the same response to God today. Many claim to be Christians; they claim to believe in God and have faith in Him, but they continually disregard God’s word and they constantly disobey God. However, the history of Israel reminds us that if we only give lip service to God without living in obedience to God, we will face judgment, even as Israel did time and time again (78:8-11, 17-20, 23, 30-31). Nevertheless, God also demonstrated His grace to them when they turned to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. God is also compassionate, and when Israel acknowledged their sin, He continually forgave their sin. No matter how often they rebelled, when they cried out to God for salvation, God delivered them. This becomes our hope, for no matter how many times we sin against God, He is willing to forgive our sins and restore our relationship with Him. He continues to promise that if we turn to Him, He will be our shepherd and care for us. Just as His righteousness demands the judgment of sin, His grace and compassion lead Him to deliver and forgive our sins for the sake of His glory (79:9). His justice warns us that He does not allow sin to go unpunished. Still, His grace gives us the assurance that if we seek His forgiveness, he will forgive and restore our relationship with him. Both of these activities are worthy of our praise. Today, in your prayers, praise God for His justice and judgment upon sin, but also praise Him for His grace and forgiveness, for both reflect the glory.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
June
Sin, Consequences, and ForgivenessWhen Life Turns DarkThe Power of GraceKeys for Successful LivingA Temple Worthy of GodThe Danger of ComplacencyFear and Faith in a Chaotic WorldSeeking Only What We Want To HearGod's Power on DisplayHow to Change a NationThe Danger of the "High Places"God's Sovereignty Amid TrialsA Superficial or Transformative Faith
July
the Lessons of the GenealogiesThe Restoration of HopeGod's Wisdom in Turbulent TimesSeeking God's Plans, Not OursDiscovering Meaning, Significance, and Fulfillment in LifeContemplating LifeA Temple Worthy of GodThe God Who SpeaksThe Tale of Two NationsSelf-Dependent or God DependentListening to the Proper Counsel
Categories
no categories