The Lord Awoke - Psalms 78:65

In Psalms chapter seventy-eight Asaph reminded the people of Israel when they journeyed through the wilderness how they “provoked” God, and “He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance. The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage. Their priests fell by the sword; and their widows made no lamentation”, and in chapter seventy-eight and verse sixty-five of Psalms Asaph said, “the Lord awoke as one out of sleep”, where we read,

Then the Lord awoke as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of wine.

The verse begins, “Then the Lord awoke as one out of sleep, ...” Asaph began with the words, “then the Lord” or “at that time, Adonay or the reverent master” “awoke” which means “became suddenly active” “as one out of sleep” or “in likeness to a person who arouses and wakes up quickly”. Asaph said when there was death among the young people of Israel, their priests fell by the sword and there was no mourning of their widows, Jehovah suddenly aroused like a person quickly rising from sleeping.

The verse continues, “... and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of wine.” Asaph added the words, “and like a mighty man” or “and in likeness and similar to a strong, brave and valiant male human being” “that shouts” which means “who gives a ringing cry, cries aloud or emits a stridulous sound” “by reason of wine” or “through the intoxication of fermented wine”. Asaph said Jehovah God awoke similar to a powerful and brave warrior who cries aloud because of intoxicating wine.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see through Asaph how Jehovah God rose up to take action with a mighty shout like a brave warrior. God was long-suffering and patient with His people Israel, and even when they forsook Him with their “graven images” and “high places”, He took action when they were in need. God wants to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and He sent Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and rise up with a “thunderous shout” to protect and defend those who have committed themselves to Him.

Next time Asaph says Jehovah God, “smote his enemies in the hinder parts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".