Yahweh Is Able
TRANSLATION
(8) He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both human and animal. (9) He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. (10) He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings – (11) Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kings of Canaan – (12) and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to Israel, his people. (13) Your name, Yahweh, (endures) forever, your renown, Yahweh, throughout all generations, (14) for Yahweh will judge (vindicate) his people and have compassion on his servants.
OBSERVATIONS
The following repetitions, by emphasizing key terms, help us arrive at the message of the segment. “Egypt” occurred twice (vss. 8 & 9). “Struck down” is also found twice (vss. 8 & 10). “King(s)” was repeated four times (vss. 10 & 11). “Inheritance” occurred twice in the same verse (vs. 12). “His people,” meaning Israel, is likewise found twice (vss. 12 & 14).
Finally, the name, “Yahweh,” was invoked three times in the last two verses (vss. 13 & 14). As in so many other Old Testament passages, it was Yahweh’s rescuing his chosen people from Egypt to take possession of the land he had promised them that was the cause for great praise.
OUTLINE
I. Yahweh dispossessed pagan nations to give his chosen people an inheritance. (8-12)
II. Yahweh will be forever praised for his favor shown to Israel. (13 & 14)
IDEA STATEMENT
Because Yahweh rescued his chosen people from Egypt and gave them the land he had promised them, he will be forever praised.
APPLICATION
The mighty works of Yahweh recorded on the pages of Scripture should regularly occupy our thoughts, not just at the special seasons of the year set apart for that purpose. In this way we are reminded that the one who accomplished great things in the past stands ready to undertake great things for us both now and in the future. The same God who delivered the nation of Israel and settled her in the Promised Land is able to deliver us and give us precisely what we need in our daily lives. While we may never witness the spectacular miracles that took place during the Exodus and Israel’s conquest of the land, we can trust in God to provide for us in ways that clearly demonstrate his power.
On one occasion, the disciples petitioned Jesus to “increase our faith,” a request that must have gladdened his heart (Lk. 17:5). Are we asking the Savior to increase our faith as we trust him for what he alone can provide? It could be our seeking his guidance for a difficult decision, looking to him to provide us with funds we lack, a life partner we have yet to encounter, or an opportunity to minister in a way that changes another’s life. We should be seeking to grow daily in our capacity to trust God for what he will do in us and through us. The same God described in this psalm who did great things for the nation of Israel many years ago has promised to do great things for us today if we will look to him in faith.