Our chief justice

Chandra Holloway

Central Truth

What do we all freely give, hate to receive, yet definitely have earned? Judgment. Celebrate God's just rule that guarantees that the godly will be vindicated and the wicked destroyed.

For God is the judge!
He brings one down and exalts another.
(Psalm 75:7)

God Will Judge with Equity

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We^{1

75:1
Hebrew They} recount your wondrous deeds.

2 “At the set time that I appoint
    I will judge with equity.
3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
    it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
    and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 do not lift up your horn on high,
    or speak with haughty neck.’”

6 For not from the east or from the west
    and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 but it is God who executes judgment,
    putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup
    with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
    and all the wicked of the earth
    shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Footnotes

[1] 75:1 Hebrew They

If you have ever visited Washington, D.C., you probably saw the U.S. Supreme Court building. It's a structure with lots of columns, clad in marble, and looks like a building where serious stuff happens inside. This building houses the highest judicial body in the United States, and the decisions this court makes are the final word in our court system.

While reading Psalm 75, I couldn't help but recall the images of the Supreme Court with the justices sitting high above the courtroom in their long, black robes. The whole scene merited my respect and reverence. Even though I didn't understand much (if anything) of what the court was discussing, the environment made me sit up a little straighter and breathe a little quieter!

Psalm 75 is all about judgment, God's judgment, and there are some amazing promises and reminders in this passage.

I love that this passage, like many of the Psalms, begins with giving thanks to God. I don't think God receives many prayers of thanks when it comes to judgment. We often question His timing or His fairness. How great is it that God addresses this right off the bat in verse 2. He is clear that His timing is perfect, and His judgment is fair.

I don't know about you, but the fact that judgment isn't my job immediately puts my heart at ease! It also convicts me of the many times I sit in judgment of others, even God. Because our judgment of others is always based on our limited knowledge, our verdicts are primarily based on our pride more than anything else. When we take the Holy Spirit out of the equation, we are left with the selfish desire to elevate ourselves and bring others down.

Unfortunately, I do this daily. Whether in the work place or at home, I feel justified that my ways are better. I am quick to try to convict others when I feel wronged, rarely bringing the situation before God. This passage is a timeless reminder that our God is just.

1. Have you ever felt wrongly judged by others or felt that judgment, at times, escapes the guilty?

2. Because God's judgment (seemingly) is not immediate, do you doubt God's promise to judge everyone rightly and with perfect timing?

3. How has God shown you ways to trust His judgment?