Psalms 76

Psalms 76:1-12

“ The Wrath of Man Shall Praise Thee” Psalms 76:1-12 In Psalms 76:2, tabernacle may be rendered “ covert,” and dwelling-place, “ lair.” God is compared to the lion, that dreaded monarch of beasts, who finds his home in a den, into which no inferior animal may intrude. Even the hunter’ s bows and arrows are broken in pursuit of him. As the mountains yielded prey to the young lion, so the hills around Jerusalem, where Sennacherib had pitched his camp, would be full of Assyrian spoil for the armies of the Lion of Judah. The stout-hearted captains of Assyria would there sleep their last sleep, Psalms 76:5. Some of the meek of the earth may read these lines, Psalms 76:9. They do not avenge themselves. Weak and helpless, they turn their eyes to God, who cannot fail them. When He speaks His sentence of acquittal, no voice will be raised to dispute it. For when He arises in judgment He will save all the meek of the earth. There is a “ thus far and no farther” to the wrath of man. God will not allow it to go beyond certain limits, and it is remarkable how He is able to make man’ s wrath to subserve His purposes. Bring God the gift, of your love. Fear not, ye humble souls, but let your enemies be in fear!

Thou art to be feared If the former Psalm anticipated Sennacherib’s overthrow, this was written after it (Psalms 76:3, and Isaiah 37:1-38).

Psalms 76:2. In Salem is his tabernacle Salem was the ancient name of Jerusalem and signifies Peace. God can only dwell where there is peace (Acts 2:1).

Psalms 76:3. The shield, the sword and the battle God snaps the proudest instruments of war.

Psalms 76:4. More glorious than mountains The world-kingdoms are compared to mountains covered with spoils. The city of God is fairer than the best.

Psalms 76:5-6. Cast into a deep sleep God did but speak a word and the warriors of the king of Assyria slept their last sleep. The poet depicts the scene:

The eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and forever were still.

Psalms 76:9. God arose to judgment God sometimes seems to sit and allow matters to take their course. He is waiting for the set moment to interpose. When He arise as He will on the behalf of his people, the earth is still as nature before a thunderstorm.

Psalms 76:10. The wrath of man shall praise Thee What is meant in malice is changed to blessing. And there is a limit beyond which the rage of the enemies of the righteous cannot pass (Job 1:12); 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Psalms 76:11. Vow and pay (2 Chronicles 32:22-23) See Note on Psalms 56:12.

Psalms 76:12. He shall cut off princes"Cut off" as a vinedresser would cut off shoots. The spirit, i.e., the life of princes (Revelation 6:15; Revelation 14:18-19). How terrible must be the wrath of the Lamb!