Psalms 76

The occasion of this Psalm has already been discussed in the Introduction to Psalms 75. Its structure is clearly marked, and should be compared with that of Psalms 46. It consists of four stanzas of three verses each, the close of the first and third being marked by Selah. i. God has once more revealed Himself in Zion, by shattering the power of the foes which assailed her (Psalms 76:1-3). ii. Triumphantly He returns from the scene of their discomfiture, where hero and warrior, chariot and horse, lie still in death (Psalms 76:4-6). iii. None can resist Him when He puts forth His power as Judge and Saviour (Psalms 76:7-9). iv. Man’s opposition does but enhance His glory. Let Israel render due thanksgiving, and the neighbouring nations pay fitting homage, to Him Who subdues kings and princes at His will (Psalms 76:10-12). On the title, For the chief Musician, on stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song, see Introd. pp. xxi, xxiv. The LXX adds, as in Psalms 80, with reference to the Assyrian.

Psalms 76:1-3

1–3. God has once more shewn His might in Zion by shattering the power of her assailants.

Psalms 76:2

2. And he hath set his pavilion in Salem, And his habitation in Zion. For the words pavilion and habitation applied to the Temple see Psalms 27:5; Psalms 68:5. The words may however mean the covert and lair of a lion (Psalms 10:9; Psalms 104:22; Amos 3:4); and it is possible that the Psalmist intends to describe God as the lion of Judah, who has issued forth from His lair, and seized His prey. Cp. Psalms 76:4, and the simile in Isaiah 31:4. Salem is either an old name for Jerusalem (Genesis 14:18), or a poetical abbreviation. The name means ‘unharmed,’ ‘at peace,’ and it is doubtless used with allusion to the recent escape of Zion from destruction (Isaiah 33:20).

Psalms 76:3

3. There hath he broken the lightnings of the bow. The destruction of Sennacherib’s army apparently took place at some distance from Jerusalem, but Jerusalem is naturally spoken of as the scene of God’s action, because it was the seat of His presence (Psalms 46:5 ff.) and it was on her behalf that He put forth His power. For broken cp. Psalms 46:9; Hosea 2:18; Isaiah 9:4; Jeremiah 49:35; and more generally, Isaiah 14:25. Arrows are called lightnings from the swiftness of their flight, rather than from any reference to fire-laden darts (Psalms 7:13, note). The battle includes all instruments and equipments for war.

Psalms 76:4-6

4–6. The manifestation of God’s majesty in the discomfiture of the enemy.

Psalms 76:5

5. The stouthearted] For illustration cp. Isaiah 10:12 ff. are spoiled] Lit. have let themselves be spoiled. Cp. Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 33:1. they have slept their sleep] They slumber their (last) sleep, the sleep of death (Jeremiah 51:39; Jeremiah 51:57; Nahum 3:18). have found their hands] Their hands refused to act; their strength was paralysed; in spite of all their haughty boastings, Isaiah 10:10; Isaiah 10:13-14; Isaiah 10:32.

Psalms 76:6

6. At thy rebuke] Cp. Psalms 9:5; Psalms 18:15; Isaiah 17:13. are cast into a dead sleep] A word which denotes a deep, supernaturally caused slumber. It is usual to say that ‘chariot and horse’ stand by metonymy for charioteers and horsemen: but surely poetry imagines chariots as well as horses to be alive. The “pransing horses” and the “bounding chariots” (Nahum 2:3-4; Nahum 3:2), all the rush and roar of the battle, are still and silent as the grave. Cp. Isaiah 43:17.

Psalms 76:7-9

7–9. It was the irresistible judgement of God.

Psalms 76:8

8. Thou didst cause judgement to be heard] Or, as R.V., sentence. God pronounced sentence upon the proud Assyrian when He intervened for the rescue of His people. Cp. Psalms 46:6; Isaiah 30:30; 1 Samuel 2:10. from heaven] For though God has chosen Zion for His earthly dwelling-place, His true abode and seat of judgement is in heaven. the meek of the earth] Cp. Isaiah 11:4; Zephaniah 2:3. Israel, regarded ideally as ‘the righteous one’ (Psalms 75:10), and contrasted with ‘the wicked of the earth’ (Psalms 75:8), is meant.

Psalms 76:10-12

10–12. The lessons of judgement.

Psalms 76:11

11. Let Israel pay the vows it made in its hour of peril (Psalms 66:13); let the nations that dwell near God’s city and people bring their presents—a phrase used only of bringing solemn tribute to God (Psalms 68:29; Isaiah 18:7). “Many,” we read in 2 Chronicles 32:23, “brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jerusalem,” after the great deliverance. unto him that ought to be feared] Lit. unto the fear, the same word as in Isaiah 8:13.

Psalms 76:12

12. He shall cut off] Cp. the simile in Isaiah 18:4-5, describing how Jehovah will destroy the plans of the Assyrians just as they are coming to maturity: and Revelation 14:18-19. the spirit of princes] Their pride and fury. Cp. Isaiah 33:11. the kings of the earth] Cp. Psalms 48:4.