Holy War: Psalm 76
THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
THE REV. MICHAEL K. TEMPLIN, ASSISTING PRIEST
This morning I’d like to focus on our first Psalm, Psalm 76. The Psalm is most likely set during the time of the Divided Monarchy, as we have both Judah and Israel mentioned separately in this Psalm. The theme of this Psalm evokes holy war or a military campaign that is being waged against the people of God. In Verse 1, we read that God (Elohim) is known or revealed in Judah. Judah was the southern Kingdom during the divided monarchy. V. 1 indicates that God has a special personal relationship with them. Next, we read that in the northern Kingdom of Israel, his name or reputation is great - this indicates that there is a profound reverence in Israel for the Covenant God of Israel. In V. 2, the Psalmist tells us that God lives in Salem - the shortened name for Jerusalem - how so? Because God has made a covenant with the people there, and more specifically, he indwells the Mountain of Zion in Jerusalem via the Temple of God in the Holy of Holies. This is why the Coverdale Psalter in the BCP says his “tabernacle” is in Salem. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for dwelling in V. 2 (i.e., he dwells in Zion) paints a word picture of an animal den - this imagery is that of a lion inhabiting his den - God is seen as providing lion-like divine protection for Zion.
This divine indwelling imagery makes sense when we read the Psalm in the context of God’s defeat of the Assyrians. Dr. Thomas Constable notes in his commentary that: “God made His great name known in Israel by defeating an enemy of His people. Salem is Jerusalem (Gen. 14:18; Heb. 7:1-2). Evidently, Asaph composed this song after an enemy attacked Jerusalem unsuccessfully. Perhaps the miraculous defeat of the Assyrians in 701 B.C. is the background (2 Kings 18—19; Isa. 36—37).” (Constable Notes) So, in essence, this Psalm is a song of victory!
In V. 3, we read that God: “shattered the arrows, the shield, the sword, and the rest of the weapons of war.” God completely disarmed the Assyrians, and then in V. 4, we read, “You [God] shine brightly and reveal your majesty, as you descend from the hills where you killed your prey.” Once again, this is the imagery of God coming down like a mighty lion, killing his prey, and leaving their bodies dead on the ground - the mightiest warriors of Assyria plundered, helpless, and dead. In V. 8, we read that this was heavenly judgment, and the earth was silent and in fear of God. The Psalm concludes with the world making him vows and bringing tribute to YHWH, the mighty king and God of Israel; this God that humbles princes and that the kings of the world fear. No one, not even the mighty kings of the earth, can withstand his power, judgments, and awesomeness. He is, as the Greek Church calls him, Pantokrator - the “ruler of all.’
Now, I don’t think we are in a period of Holy War like the Israelites were during this time, but I do believe that there is a spiritual and literal application of this Psalm. You see, St. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers above. That there is a conquest that is being waged against God’s people and against his Kingdom. St. John reminds us in our Epistle this morning: “MARVEL not, my brethren, if the world hates you.” To follow Jesus is to make enemies of Satan and his system of world domination, death, murder, and spiritual darkness. We cannot make peace with the Satanic world order. Therefore, the ‘god of this age’ (i.e., the temporal fallen age) hates us because, ultimately, he, the accuser, hates God!
But, the God of Israel has conquered him. The incarnation confused him. The immaculate life bound his authority; The cross disarmed him. The resurrection has ended his reign of death. And the enthronement of Christ has guaranteed that every principality, including the god of this age, will be placed under Christ's feet, every valley will be made low, and even the most evil, mighty worker of satanic darkness will bow his knee and proclaim that Jesus is Lord and ruler of all things. You see, the Assyrians were incredibly mighty but not as mighty as God. Egypt was incredibly mighty but not as mighty as God. Greece was incredibly mighty, but not as mighty as God. Even Rome, perhaps the greatest empire, was incredibly mighty but not as mighty as God. Rome was conquered not by the blood of warfare but by the blood of the Martyrs. It was not acts of military might that disarmed Rome but acts of Christian love and charity.
We face a spiritual Holy War today - we have an incredibly godless age of tyranny and sexual deviancy. I know you’re scared if you’re paying attention. Our culture wants anything and everything except holiness and truth - and wants to destroy those who stand in the way of their unholy campaign. But, beloved we have weapons far greater than they…Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us: “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
You see, just like God defeating the Assyrians of Old - a miraculous battle won by him - we, too, get through this current battle by him! He sits in heaven as king, as God, and as Lord. We trust in him to deliver us from the present trials because he’s already delivered us from the mightiest foe, death itself. Remember, beloved Christ indwells Salam, the Lion of Judah’s den, is in Zion - the assembled Church. And when you think the whole world is about to fall under the dominion of the enemy, when all the armies of darkness have gathered around your encampment, the Lion will descend upon his prey from his heavenly mountain. All we must do is be faithful in trial - stand firm - and know that he is our warrior. He is our lion. He is our king. He has made himself known to us. We know even now in the day of trial, that in Christ Jesus, we have passed from death unto life. The greatest victory is already accomplished. We simply stay firm and proclaim the Gospel of His kingdom.
