1 To the Overseer with stringed instruments. -- A Psalm of Asaph. -- A Song. In Judah `is' God known, in Israel His name `is' great.
2 And His tabernacle is in Salem, And His habitation in Zion.
3 There he hath shivered arrows of a bow, Shield, and sword, and battle. Selah.
4 Bright `art' Thou, honourable above hills of prey.
5 Spoiled themselves have the mighty of heart, They have slept their sleep, And none of the men of might found their hands.
6 From Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both rider and horse have been fast asleep.
7 Thou, fearful `art' Thou, And who doth stand before Thee, Since Thou hast been angry!
8 From heaven Thou hast sounded judgment, Earth hath feared, and hath been still,
9 In the rising of God to judgment, To save all the humble of earth. Selah.
10 For the fierceness of man praiseth Thee, The remnant of fierceness Thou girdest on.
11 Vow and complete to Jehovah your God, All ye surrounding him. They bring presents to the Fearful One.
12 He doth gather the spirit of leaders, Fearful to the kings of earth!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 76
Commentary on Psalms 76 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 76
Ps 76:1-12. On Neginoth—(See on Ps 4:1, title). This Psalm commemorates what the preceding anticipates: God's deliverance of His people by a signal interposition of power against their enemies. The occasion was probably the events narrated in 2Ki 19:35; Isa 37:1-28. (Compare Ps 46:1-11).
1, 2. These well-known terms denote God's people and Church and His intimate and glorious relations to them.
2. Salem—(Ge 14:18) is Jerusalem.
3. brake … the arrows—literally, "thunderbolts" (Ps 78:48), from their rapid flight or ignition (compare Ps 18:14; Eph 6:16).
the battle—for arms (Ho 2:18).
4. Thou—God.
mountains of prey—great victorious nations, as Assyria (Isa 41:15; Eze 38:11, 12; Zec 4:7).
5. slept their sleep—died (Ps 13:3).
none … found … hands—are powerless.
6. chariot and horse—for those fighting on them (compare Ps 68:17).
7. may … sight—contend with Thee (De 9:4; Jos 7:12).
8, 9. God's judgment on the wicked is His people's deliverance (Ps 9:12; 10:7).
10. Man's wrath praises God by its futility before His power.
restrain—or, "gird"; that is, Thyself, as with a sword, with which to destroy, or as an ornament to Thy praise.
11, 12. Invite homage to such a God (2Ch 32:23), who can stop the breath of kings and princes when He wills (Da 5:23).