The Victorious God

Bible Study Questions 10215

PASSAGE: Psalm 76:1-12

COMMENT: This psalm proclaims a victorious God. He will defeat His enemies and cause His judgment to be heard. But He will save all the meek of the earth. Surely, this is a God to be feared.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. In Judah God is __________; his name is _________ in Israel.

2. God is more glorious and excellent than the mountains of _________.

3. At God’s rebuke, both horse and chariot are cast into a dead ________.

4. God arose to judgment to save all the _________ of the earth.

5. The Lord shall cut off the _________ of princes.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. What does the name Salem (v.2) mean? If you learn to look for it, the Bible will often define its own terms. Salem is one of those names it defines. Carefully read Hebrews 7:2 and give the meaning of Salem. Now consider that Salem is a part of the name Jerusalem. Using what you have just learned, and knowing that Jerusalem means the city of something, what do you think Jerusalem is the city of?

2. Read Psalm 76:10. What are some of the ways in which man shows his wrath? How can God use this wrath to praise Him? What does this verse say that He will do with wrath that does not in the long run praise Him?

3. The psalmist warns, “let all that be round about him [God] bring presents unto him that ought to be feared” (v.11). Verse 7 states, Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?” In a similar vein, Psalm 2:11-12 states, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” Today, many define the fear of the Lord as nothing more than an honored reverence to Him. But that definition hardly fits these passages. How would you define the fear of the Lord? The pictures of bringing presents and kissing come from ancient practices for properly approaching a king. In what ways is this a good picture coming to God? How is approaching God different for us today than it was in the time of the Old Testament? What else do you see in these verses?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. God often uses beautiful literary descriptions in the Bible. For instance, He describes the plight of those attacked by Him with these words: “and none of the men of might have found their hands” (v.5). What does this mean? Are there any hints as to the meaning in the first half of verse five? Compare this to other incidents in the Bible. The men of Sodom “wearied themselves to find the door” (Genesis 19:11) when they tried to abuse Lot and the angels. Can you think of any other similar examples? In what other ways does God hinder evil?

2. Verse 9 states, When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.” What does it mean to be meek? Who are the meek of the earth? What can we learn about meekness from the following verses: Psalm 147:6; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 5:5; 11:29; 21:5; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:2; 1Peter 3:4, 15?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Psalm 76:10

TEXT: Psalm 76:1 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

3 There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.

5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

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