At the set time which I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars….
For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up; but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
–Psalm 75: 2-3; 6-7
Surprised there are no comments on this. Very appropriate in that it reminds us that God lifts us up and humbles us, not we ourselves.
Sorry, Kendall.
I was actually going to post these very verses on Surrounded this morning after Morning Prayer, but I lingered too long in reflection and prayer, and then had to help some guys get on with – of all things – the demolition of one of our older, smaller parish buildings. Then had to run to get cleaned up and head down to Bakersfield with my wife and some of our ECW leaders to participate in – of all things – a diocesan-wide Honored Woman luncheon. As an aside, got to visit a little with – of all people – Mark and Allison Lawrence, both of whom are looking very healthy, very well.
BCP translation:
75: 5 Do not toss your horns so high, *
nor speak with a proud neck.’â€
75: 6 For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, *
nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
75: 7 It is God who judges; *
he puts down one and lifts up another.
and in the same vein of judgement, but now the consequences:
76: 5 The strong of heart have been despoiled;
they sink into sleep; *
none of the warriors can lift a hand.
76: 6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, *
both horse and rider lie stunned.
and
76: 9 (….)When God rose up to judgment *
and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
76: 10 Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, *
and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
76: 11 Make a vow to the LORD your God and keep it; *
let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared.
76: 12 He breaks the spirit of princes, *
What was so striking to me was that I had sent off an email to an intercessor group I associate with, sharing a very specific prayer I had been led to engage in that dealt with a couple of bishops, one of whom whose behavior and language reflected 75:5, and the outcome of which would be so like 76:10.
And the verse you point to (75:7) I had posted a comment recently regarding the necessity of humility, as well as preaching at a funeral on Friday about how the family of God here on earth will not be built properly without God’s help.
Dare I say anything about 75:6, and how we must look solely to God, to Jesus the head of the Body, rather than in any other direction for providing longed-for judgement? Or in reading 76:12a, how often the phrase “princes of the Church” is used around here?
My conclusion in my reflection: no matter how or in what manner we think our present darkness should be solved, our first action always is to accept the Word of God as it states so clearly that judgement belongs to God – and he does judge, he does put down some and lift up others. And our second action is to be quiet, to “Be still and know that I am God.” Let it be top-of-the-brain.
RGEaton
Hey, elves, there are some “white space” lines that got lost in posting that would help read through the psalm verses easier. Would you add those?
after “BCP translation”
after vs 7
after the italicized “consequences”
and the same between 76:6 and 76:9
(and then delete this comment)
thanks