Who Are You To Judge?

Psalm 75

In the late 1970s I received notice being requested for Federal jury duty. For Federal jury duty then you had a required number of days to serve over a two year period. If selected for a jury and the trial went at least that number of days your requirement was fulfilled. If never selected for a jury or selected and it didn't last that number of days then you went to jury selections that number of days over the two years when notified. My final jury selection day there was a visiting judge from Chicago helping with the case load there in Madison, Wisconsin. Because the courtroom in essence belongs to the presiding judge this one took the liberty to give a history of the judical system of the United States, contrasted to those in other countries, and more. Though I couldn't repeat that hour long speech now it certainly helped with an understanding of the possibly the best man derived judicial systems and how it was designed to work.

When we think of a judge presiding over judicial matters we often think of property disputes, monetary issues, personal or class action damage cases, or family settlements. Within the last year I was in a court finalizing a case settlement for my late wife. The very last question the presiding judge asked was whether there were any other questions. I was bold enough to state that not being of the law profession I didn't know if there were questions that should be asked. He replied that most in the law profession do not know if there are other questions that should be asked.

Psalm 75 presents a Judge, a Holy Judge, as Abraham called Him, the Judge of the whole earth. But what this Judge is presiding over is not litigations or disputes, but over the character of man and the basis of that character.

When I shall take a convenient time, I will judge righteously. The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: but I will establish the pillars of it.

Selah.

Psalms 75:2 - 3 GNV

Judging in a convenient time or at the right time the Judge will judge righteously. Then dissolved, not as in dissolving a sugar cube in water, but finding themselves in a very unstable situation, the Judge will settle the very pillars upon which the earth is stabilized. His action is for all people.

Then is added "Selah", which a radio spot preacher often says, "Selah! Meditate on it!"

However this judge clarifies His righteous judgment which is dealing with the character of men.

I said unto the foolish, Be not so foolish, and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn.

Psalms 75:4 GNV

In this psalm praise to the judge comes from the righteous, and they aren't the ones receiving judgment. And the judgment meted out at this time isn't a final pronouncement of condemnation, but the necessity of major changes to be made in one's life.

For to come to preferment is neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the South, But God is the judge: he maketh low and he maketh high.

Psalms 75:6 - 7 GNV

Specifics on both the Judge and the judicial system are stated here. There is no question which direction the Judge has His authority. It is not established by man and the Judge knows all the questions necessary to ask in every case. And it is noted that He has the power to enforce any and all judgments He makes As Judge His judgment is righteous. That is the whole basis of that judgement He is the only one who could establish the laws and system of justice based upon righteousness. And as creator, He alone is the one who can stabilize all of creation, His has the full right and authority to judge righteously.

The final thoughts written of the Judge, the judgment made, and the final ending will be.

All the horns of the wicked also will I break: but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.

Psalms 75:10 GNV

The horn, the means of calling all those of a particular group together, to sound victory, retreat, to rally, or otherwise alert them. The ability to call others who are wicked together will be broken, no possibility to sound even a hope of victory. But that of the horn of the righteous will be made more favorable, more ready to sound victory. It will be exalted.

These thoughts on judgment are what Jesus made evident in His messages. He knew judgment is coming. His purpose for coming was to stabalize the earth for all to have opportunity to face the Judge now and to be ready to stand before Him later.