Psalms76
King James Version · Public Domain
1 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
11 Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Study
Psalms 76Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 76. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist speaks of God's power. (1–6). All have to fear and to trust in him. (7–12).
vv1-6
Happy people are those who have their land filled with the knowledge of God! happy persons that have their hearts filled with that knowledge! It is the glory and happiness of a people to have God among them by his ordinances. Wherein the enemies of the church deal proudly, it will appear that God is above them. See the power of God's rebukes. With pleasure may Christians apply this to the advantages bestowed by the Redeemer.
vv7-12
God's people are the meek of the earth, the quiet in the land, that suffer wrong, but do none. The righteous God seems to keep silence long, yet, sooner or later, he will make judgment to be heard. We live in an angry, provoking world; we often feel much, and are apt to fear more, from the wrath of man. What will not turn to his praise, shall not be suffered to break out. He can set bounds to the wrath of man, as he does to the raging sea; hitherto it shall come, and no further. Let all submit to God. Our prayers and praises, and especially our hearts, are the presents we should bring to the Lord. His name is glorious, and he is the proper object of our fear. He shall cut off the spirit of princes; he shall slip it off easily, as we slip off a flower from the stalk, or a bunch of grapes from the vine; so the word signifies. He can dispirit the most daring: since there is no contending with God, it is our wisdom, as it is our duty, to submit to him. Let us seek his favour as our portion, and commit all our concerns to him.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
נְגִינָה: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
יָדַע: to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Psalms 76Salem is identified historically and etymologically as the ancient name for Jerusalem under Melchizedek.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The historical destruction of the Assyrian army, sleeping their dead sleep under the angel's blow.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Uses the identical, vivid prophetic judgment metaphor of enemies sleeping a perpetual, deadly sleep.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament verification linking Melchizedek, king of Salem, to Jerusalem's ancient sacred identity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the sudden cutting off of the mighty men and leaders of the Assyrian host.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallel imagery of God breaking the bow, shield, and sword of war in defense of Zion.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the Exodus theme where God's rebuke casts both the chariot and horse into destruction.
Supported by John Calvin
Illustrates the inability of men to stand before the face of God when He is angry.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Fulfillment of bringing presents to the temple in Jerusalem following the miraculous defeat of Sennacherib.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the pagan worship of an unknown god with God truly making Himself known in Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Zion as the chosen habitation and desired dwelling place of God.
Supported by John Calvin
Demonstrates how the proud wrath of pagan rulers ultimately works to showcase God's supreme power.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Shows neighboring nations fearing and remaining still upon hearing of God's miraculous defense of Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels God's active rising in judgment to vindicate and save the oppressed and meek.
Supported by JFB