Psalms 76

KJV · Chapter 76/150

1In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

2In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

3There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

4Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.

5The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

7Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

8Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

9When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

11Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

12He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

The psalmist celebrates God as a victorious warrior who broke the enemy's weapons and brought peace to Judah and Israel. In the face of divine judgment, even the wrath of men ends up serving God's praise.

Explanation

This psalm likely celebrates a great military deliverance of Jerusalem (Jewish tradition associates it with the defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army). 'Salem' is an ancient form of Jerusalem, and the text emphasizes that God dwells there as the city's protector. The central idea is that no human power can withstand God's judgment, as He rises to defend the weak and oppressed of the earth. Today's application is to remember that situations that seem threatening do not escape God's care and justice.

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