Asaph
Psalm 76
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.
Scripture (KJV)
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.
Summary
Psalm 76 is a hymn celebrating God’s fearsome victory in Zion, often associated with the defeat of Sennacherib’s army. Asaph declares that God is known in Judah and His name is great in Israel; His tabernacle is in Salem and His dwelling place in Zion. There He broke the arrows of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle. The stouthearted are spoiled and sleep their sleep; the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep at God’s rebuke. God is to be feared, and who may stand in His sight when He is angry? He causes judgment to be heard from heaven and arises to save all the meek of the earth. The striking verse 10 says, "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." The psalm closes with a call to vow and pay to the LORD and bring presents to Him who ought to be feared, for He is terrible to the kings of the earth.
The major themes are God’s victory, His fearsome presence, judgment, the meek, and the wrath of man turned to praise. Practically, the psalm teaches that even the wrath of man shall praise God and that He cuts off the spirit of princes. The great lesson is that God is to be feared and that He arises to save the meek of the earth.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 76
In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. In Salem is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion. There You broke the arrows, the shield, the sword, and the battle. The stouthearted sleep their sleep at Your rebuke. You are to be feared; who may stand in Your sight when You are angry? You cause judgment to be heard from heaven and arise to save the meek of the earth. Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; the remainder of wrath You shall restrain. I vow and pay to You, O LORD my God. You are terrible to the kings of the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does this psalm portray God’s fearsome power?
- 2What does it mean that "the wrath of man shall praise thee"?
- 3How does God arise to save the meek of the earth?
- 4Where do I need to vow and pay to the LORD?
Related Psalms
Psalm 46
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Read morePsalm 47
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Read morePsalm 48
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Read morePsalm 75
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