READ IT! - Introduction to Psalms 73-78

Readings for this week

Monday: Joshua 24

Tuesday: Psalm 73

Wednesday: Psalm 74

Thursday: Psalm 75

Friday: Psalm 76

Saturday: Psalm 77

Sunday: Psalm 78

Introduction to Psalms 73-78

Book III of the Psalms

Psalm 73

This is “a psalm of Asaph.”  Asaph, a Levite of the Gershonite family, was appointed over the service of praise during the time of David and Solomon. He led the singing, sounded cymbals before the ark and apparently set up a school of music. Twelve psalms are credited to Asaph, but this accreditation does not necessarily imply authorship and may mean no more than that these psalms constituted an Asaphic collection, begun by the great man and then prolonged over the years by the Asaph singers. The psalms themselves cover a long span of time, and have a deep and contemplative nature.

He says, “Surely God is good to the pure in heart. I envied the wicked until I saw their end. They are swept away. God is my portion forever.”

Psalm 74

In this Asaphic psalm, the writer says, “O God, why have you rejected us? Foes have defiled your sanctuary. How long will they mock? You are king from of old. Rise up, O God!”

This psalm describes the Babylonian’s destruction of the Lord’s Temple. The imagery here is borrowed from ancient Near Eastern creation myths, in which the primeval chaotic waters were depicted as a many-headed monster that the creator-god overcame, after which he established the world order.

Psalm 75

This Asaphic psalm has a note at the beginning saying that it was written to the tune of a popular song of the time called “Do Not Destroy.” The writer says, “We give thanks to you, O God. I say to the boastful, 'Do not boast.' God is the judge. The wicked will drain the dregs of his cup.”

Psalm 76

The note at the beginning of this Asaphic psalm states that it was to be played on stringed instruments. The writer says, “God is known in Judah. You are glorious, more majestic than the mountains. The earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment.”

This psalm is in the form of a victory hymn. According to an ancient tradition it was written after God had destroyed Sennacherib’s army when the Assyrians threatened Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 19:35-36).

Psalm 77

The note to the music director at the beginning of this Asaphic psalm states that it is “for Jeduthun.” He was a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David. His office was generally to preside over the music of the temple service.

He writes, “In the day of trouble I sought the LORD. Has he withdrawn his compassion? You are the God of wonders. Your path led through the sea.”

Psalm 78

Psalm 78 is an Asaphic psalm and it is a recitation of the history of God’s rule over Israel from the time of the exodus to that of David. The story is not fully chronological but selectively demonstrates that the Lord was sovereign over the Israelites, punishing them when they sinned but delivering them from oppression and slavery.

The writer says, “God worked miracles in Egypt. He brought his people to the holy land. They rebelled and he rejected them. He chose David to tend them.”