Psalm 76:1-3
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
Every 4th of July celebration in America features parades, fireworks, and the singing of patriotic songs in the Spirit of ‘76. The rest of the year, not so much. This patriotic song, Psalm 76, was sung in response to a victory over Jerusalem’s enemies, promised in Psalm 75. According to J.M. Boice, this psalm was also sung by the Covenanters in Scotland and the Pilgrims in New England, even naming Salem, Massachusetts in honor of this psalm. I am sure Psalm 76 is rarely sung there anymore. For the singers in Jerusalem, surrounded by threats, the presence of the Lord was a great comfort. It meant security for them and their city. They needn’t tell the nations about God. He made himself known quite clearly.
You may feel surrounded by troubles on every side and may not be in the spirit of singing. Like Psalm 75, we have a promise of victory over death and sin. This promise was kept on the cross and we can now sing in celebration of our citizenship in the Kingdom of God. In the Spirit of Psalm 76, we can sing of the presence of the Lord in a world that is set against him. We are tasked with telling the world about him before it is too late, when God makes himself known quite clearly in power.
O Heavenly Father, you are awesome in power and we are your citizens. Help us to proclaim in song our loyalty to you so others will see you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.