Psalms 76:1

Psalms 76:1 says,To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. This is identified as a psalm of Asaph, then verse one says, In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.  Asaph says that God is known in Judah and His name is great in Israel.  Those were the people known as God's people, and today the people of the church are known as God's people and His name should be great among us.  Verse two adds, In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.  God's tabernacle and dwelling place were seen as being in Judah and Israel.  We know that God is not limited to any specific country or place though, but He lives in the hearts of His people wherever they are.  Verse three continues, There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.  Asaph then speaks of a great victory that God had given His people in battle, and God has already won the victory for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse four states, Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.  Asaph proclaimed God's superiority over the mountains of prey, those that saw themselves as all powerful and did not mind preying on those who were weaker.  Many people today see themselves as all powerful and prey on those who are physically or even financially weaker.  Verse five adds, The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.  Asaph said these people had faith in their strength and ability to defeat an opponent.  There are nations today that believe their military might gives them the ability to defeat anyone, and many not only don't worship God or even deny His existence or worship some other God.  Verse six continues, At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.  Asaph said that God was more powerful than these enemies though, and He still is today.  There is nothing that we as followers of Christ need to fear today.  Verse seven says, Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?  Asaph said God was to be feared when He stood against those who would destroy His people, and asked who could stand against His anger.  There never has been nor ever will be anyone or any group of people who can stand against God.   Verse eight adds, Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,  Asaph says that God's judgment came from heaven and the earth heard and was still.  When God speaks in judgment, as He one day will, all the earth will listen, even if too many people refuse to do so beforehand.  Verse nine continues, When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.  Asaph said that when God rose in judgment that He would save all the meek of the earth, those who humbly submitted to God's will instead of proudly declaring their own might.  Verse ten states, Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.  God does restrain the wrath of evil in the world, even when it seems like evil is winning.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, we as followers of Christ will always be victorious from the perspective of our everlasting life with God.  Verse eleven adds, Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.  Just as the people then were called on to worship and praise God, so must we today as Christians.  We are to give all that we are or have to God.   Verse twelve concludes, He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.  God was, is and always will be more powerful than anyone or any group of people.  We can rest easy in God's victory over evil in the world, no matter what happens in our life.