How does Psalm 78:62 connect to God's justice in Deuteronomy 32:35? Text Under Consideration Psalm 78:62: “He gave His people over to the sword; He was enraged by His inheritance.” Deuteronomy 32:35: “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution; in due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is at hand, and their doom is rushing upon them.” The Covenant Framework • God entered a covenant with Israel at Sinai (Exodus 19:4-6). • That covenant included blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion (Deuteronomy 28). • Deuteronomy 32 is Moses’ prophetic “Song,” warning that covenant breaches would trigger divine retribution. • Psalm 78 is a historical review showing that those warnings actually materialized. Justice Foretold (Deuteronomy 32:35) • “Vengeance is Mine”—God reserves the right to repay sin; no injustice escapes His notice (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). • “In due time their foot will slip”—judgment is certain, though it may wait for God’s appointed moment (2 Peter 3:9-10). • “Their day of disaster is at hand”—divine justice, once triggered, comes swiftly and decisively. Justice Fulfilled (Psalm 78:62) • “He gave His people over to the sword”—exactly what Moses predicted: God Himself hands His covenant people to enemies when they persist in idolatry (Judges 2:14-15; 2 Chronicles 36:17). • “He was enraged by His inheritance”—divine anger is not capricious; it is the covenant response to prolonged rebellion (Psalm 78:56-59). Key Parallels to Notice • Same Author of Justice: The “I” who promises vengeance in Deuteronomy is the One acting in Psalm 78. • Same Target: Covenant people who refuse repentance experience the foretold “slipping foot.” • Same Motive: Upholding holiness. God’s wrath is holy love reacting against sin (Habakkuk 1:13). • Same Mercy Thread: Deuteronomy 32:36 promises compassion after judgment; Psalm 78 moves on to divine restoration (vv. 65-72). Broader Scriptural Echoes • 1 Samuel 4:10-11—battle at Shiloh fulfills both texts, with the ark captured and Israel routed. • Lamentations 2:3—Jeremiah reflects on that same sword of judgment. • Hebrews 10:26-31—New-covenant warning that the God of Deuteronomy 32 still judges willful sin. Why This Matters Today • God’s justice is never theoretical; He acts in history exactly as He says. • Delayed judgment is not denied judgment—“in due time their foot will slip.” • Divine discipline aims at restoration; after Psalm 78:62 comes shepherd-king David (vv. 70-72), prefiguring Christ, the ultimate Shepherd-King (John 10:11). • For believers, the cross satisfies God’s vengeance against our sin (Isaiah 53:5), yet the call to holy living remains (1 Peter 1:15-16). |
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