The psalm selection for this week is a relatively short one. It is a psalm of praise to the Lord, specifically in anticipation of the coming of the Lord to judge and rule on earth. Let’s read through the psalm, and see what God might say and teach us.
As we know, Jesus came to earth the first time, being physically born in Bethlehem in approximately 4 BC and raised in Nazareth. He conducted a public ministry for about three years, and then was crucified and rose again in approximately 30 AD. Jesus came the first time to earth to bring salvation to all who accept Him as Savior.
There will be a second coming to earth of the Lord Jesus, when He returns. This could be at any time, whether today or many years in the future. This second time that Jesus comes will be to judge the world, and it is this coming that our psalm is specifically addressing. It is for this return to earth that our psalmist instructs and encourages us to sing joyful praises to God for.
When Jesus first came to earth, as we read in the Gospels, He came in peace and love, telling us how much God loves us and wishes us to turn to Him in repentance for forgiveness of our sins. He showed His love for us by dying on the cross for our sins, and wishes everyone to accept His offer of salvation. This is the loving Jesus we frequently picture in our minds, holding the lost lamb in His arms.
At His second coming, however, Jesus will return as a conquering king, and as a judge of the nations of the world. Jesus will be the Warrior-King, coming to judge the people and nations who have not accepted Him the first time He came. There is no question that King Jesus will be victorious over all. As verse one proclaims, His right hand and His holy arm will gain the victory. Jesus will have victory over the nations which fought against His people in the end times (Zechariah 14:1-15; Revelation 19:11-21). At this time Jesus will establish His righteous kingdom on earth (vs. 2).
Many people feel fear and trepidation if they are to go before a judge. It is not something that they look forward to. Actually it really depends on how you feel the judge will rule, whether in your favor or not. At this time we can be certain that God, as the Judge, is both perfectly loving and perfectly just. He is merciful when He judges and punishes, but He also overlooks no sin when He loves. God will once and for all judge sin, and those who have willfully and deliberately rejected His Son, Jesus Christ. At the time of Jesus’ first coming, God provided the only way for our sins to be wiped away and made atonement for, through the shed Blood of Jesus, His Son, on the cross.
For those who have accepted Jesus, His return is a time of great joy and gladness, just like we picture a returning hero and king to a country that has sorely missed him. Cheers ring out, welcoming King Jesus (vs. 4-6). Even the different parts of nature will rejoice when Jesus returns (vs. 7-8).
For those who have rejected God’s Son Jesus, that will be a day when they receive the harsh judgement of the returning King. When a legal case goes to court today, the judge rules one way or another, either in favor of the plaintiff or the defendant. We hope that his ruling is fair and just, though sometimes it might not be. However, we know that God will judge the world with righteousness and equity (vs. 9). All of His judgments will be true and fair, and for that we can rejoice and sing praise, as this psalm encourages us to do.
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