To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near. (Psalm 75:1)
As the previous psalm concluded the writer, Asaph, focused on the rising threat the nations posed to God’s people, hence the petition for God to arise and come to their defense. As this psalm begins, notice it is a prayer set to “Do Not Destroy,” a sentiment expressing the anguish that results from intense persecution. This, say the rabbis, is exactly what Israel will be experiencing as the time of the exile draws to a close, thus prompting His people to shout out, “Do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do Not Destroy!”
Yet as we see, the opening verse is not a cry of desperation but of thanksgiving. Throughout the Scriptures, God makes clear His intention to save and deliver His people in spite of their transgressions and apathy toward Him. Yes, He allows His people to feel the sting of separation and the pain of oppression but He has never, and will never, abandon His people to the whims of those who seek their destruction. Still, it is incumbent on those whose hearts are for redemption to embrace repentance. When the appropriate path to reconciliation is chosen, we can be assured that He will do wondrous works on our behalf and rend us from the hand of those who actually do seek to destroy.
Thinking upon these things, I can’t help but recall what Yeshua said shortly before His crucifixion. Speaking to those He came to deliver but who were not ready to receive Him, He said, “You shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Matthew 28:39). He was letting them know that, when they finally realize they are in deadly peril and unable to save themselves, they will gladly embrace the only One who has the power and authority to deliver them from the hand of their enemies.
It boils down to this: too often we have to get to that place of feeling that, at any moment, the other shoe is going to drop thus signaling our end. In a cry of desperation, we plead not to be destroyed but to be delivered. Thankfully, the Lord is compassionate and is near, ready to respond when we finally cry out, “Do not let us be destroyed. Please deliver us now, O Lord.” And for this, we should all give thanks.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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