Psalms 73. This psalm opens with the awakening of Israel as a nation, through a remnant in faith as aroused by the Holy Spirit, with a faith that takes in all the tribes; such as we see in Judges 21:88And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the Lord? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly. (Judges 21:8), Acts 26:77Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. (Acts 26:7), and James 1:11James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (James 1:1). It was hard for an awakened Israelite to see the wicked in power and in prosperity, for the promises from of old were of blessings in earthly things, if they followed the Lord. But they have to learn and own that they had not heeded the warnings by the prophets, so God had to allow all these things that a remnant could be recovered. They see the prosperity of the wicked and cannot understand it, until they get into the sanctuary of God, Then the end of the wicked is brought before those who have faith. In the sanctuary no doubt the Spirit of God brings before them, by His word, all His ways of old with Israel. The faithful then see that the wicked are set in slippery places, even though for the present it may seem to be the opposite. The hope of the faithful is to be guided by His counsel and realize that when the Lord comes in His glory, the wicked will be purged out and the faithful will be received.
Psalm 74. In this psalm, the complaint is on account of the desolations which the enemy has wrought in the land. There evidently had been a temple rebuilt, but the enemy had finally destroyed it. They had cast fire into it and destroyed it, as well as the synagogues which were scattered through the land. The enemy had roared in the midst of the congregations, which he is ever prone to do—and often does it now in so-called Christian lands. The question is raised, How long will this be allowed to go on? They remember that of old, God had divided the Red Sea for them; He had destroyed the power of Egypt, and had brought them into the land. They call to Jehovah’s attention that the enemy had reproached and a foolish people had blasphemed His name, They ask Him to have respect unto His covenant of old with His people.
Psalm 75. Here we have the faithful remnant speaking as a whole, and they give thanks, for they feel that deliverance is near. Then we have a change to one speaking in the singular. It is the Spirit of God giving out the mind of the Messiah as though He were in their midst and telling of what He will do when He receives the kingdom, He will judge uprightly when in their midst. Then He states that the land with all its associations which the wicked had formed, will be dissolved, Isaiah 8:9-189Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. 11For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, 12Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. 13Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 18Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. (Isaiah 8:9‑18). But He will bear up its pillars, that is, He will sustain that which has been set up by God from of old.
Their help does not come from the east or the west, nor from the south. But God is the one who will pour out His indignation on all that was contrary to what He had wrought in faith.
The Messiah will sing praises to the God of Jacob, and He takes up the cause of the righteous and afflicted people.
“All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted,” v. 10.
ML 01/22/1961