Psalm 75 and 76 … Consider Him Who Judges With Equity

Originally posted: 11/06/2020

“When I select an appointed time,
It is I who judge with equity,” (75:2).

Today’s reading portrays God as Judge; a key theme in both Psalm 75 and 76.

From NIV Study Bible:

Ps 75 “a song of reassurance when arrogant worldly powers threaten Israel’s security… God will not fail to call the arrogant to account… God will not fail to judge…”

 Ps 76 “a celebration of the Lord’s invincible power in defense of Jerusalem, His royal city… Praise of God’s awesome majesty, whose mighty judgment evokes fearful reverence…”

God is Judge and there’s no arguing the fact. Few things are guaranteed in this life, as the old saying goes, only death and taxes. But there is another guaranteed reality; God sends forth His judgment, and it’s nothing to take lightly; actually if we are smart, we will tremble at the thought.

You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;
The earth feared and was still, (76:8).

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God, (Hebrews 10:30-31).

However there is a reassuring comfort portrayed in His judgment, for He Himself said,

“…It is I who judge with equity,” (75:2).

Equity: “4339. מֵישָׁר mēyšār: A masculine noun designating rightness, equity, smoothness,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

His judgments are always a result of His righteousness, for He is completely fair, just and impartial; and His judgments are free from variables and perfectly aligned with His character; He always Judges With Equity.

You are resplendent,
More majestic than the mountains of prey, (76:4).

Resplendent: “215. אוֹר ʾôr: A verb meaning to give light, to shine, to become light, day,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

Because His judgments emanate from His nature, every judgment is full of light and faithfully sends forth His light; for He always Judges With Equity.

And because He is perfectly holy and just, He must judge sin. And because He is love, a God of grace and mercy, He provided the way that we could be spared His judgment, if we would but place our faith in Jesus Christ Who took the wrath of His judgment as the propitiation for our sins. 

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins, (1 John 4:10).

Propitiation: “2434. ἱλασμός, οῦ, ὁ hilasmós: properly, propitiation; an offering to appease (satisfy) an angry, offended party.”

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the propitiation for our sins; as the atoning sacrifice; the One Who satisfies the wrath of Holy, Righteous God. There is none other. And it is in His Son, Jesus Christ, that He Judges With Equity.

Consider Him Who Judges With Equity

• He Judges With Equity… in His appointed time.
  •  “When I select an appointed time,
    It is I who judge with equity,” (75:2).
    • But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons,” (Galatians 4:4-5).

• He Judges With Equity… according to His purpose.
  • “…It is I who have firmly set its pillars, (75:3).

• • • who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, (2 Timothy 1:9).

• He Judges With Equity… by His choosing.
  • But God is the Judge;
    He puts down one and exalts another, (75:7).
    • just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ⁵ He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (Ephesians 1:4-5).

• He Judges With Equity… through His Light.
  • You are resplendent,
    More majestic than the mountains of prey. (76:4).
    • “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God,”  (John 3:19-21).

• He Judges With Equity… made evident to His creation.
  • You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;
    The earth feared and was still, (76:8).
    
    • For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse, (Romans 1:18-20).

• He Judges With Equity… to save the humble.
  • When God arose to judgment,
    To save all the humble of the earth. Selah, (76:9).
    • Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, (1 Peter 5:6).

How do we respond to Him Who Judges With Equity?

Although the world attempts to discount the truth of His Judgment with claims that a loving God would never condemn anyone to hell, the truth is, because He is perfect in His justice and His holiness, He must Judge sin. When we place our faith in Christ, our sin is Judged in Christ, and our sin is Judged With Equity.

For there is no partiality with God, (Romans 2:11).

…for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:22-23).

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Romans 6:23).

But even when we have been adopted into the family of God through faith in Christ, even when we know our eternity is secure in Him, we still have an enemy who is relentless in his efforts to derail and devour our faith.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, (1 Peter 5:8).

We live in tumultuous days, days that can foster feelings of uncertainty and concern for the future, days that truly challenge our faith. But we must be vigilant to stay alert and aware of the schemes and tactics of our adversary. Today, rather than worrying, let us choose to wait and watch expectantly for Him Who Judges With Equity.

And as we wait and watch, let us ask Him to grow our faith in His appointed time, His purpose, and His choosing, believing that He will send forth His light and make evident His salvation for all of us who have humbled ourselves and have put our trust in Him Who Judges With Equity.

But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
⁸ Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.
Though I fall I will rise;
Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me, (Micah 7:7-8).

Let’s Grow Together!