Psalms — Chapter 76

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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.

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

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

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

4Glorious art thou [and] excellent, From the mountains of prey.

5The stouthearted are made a spoil, They have slept their sleep; And none of the men of might have found their hands.

6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.

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

8Thou didst cause sentence 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 residue of wrath shalt thou gird upon thee.

11Vow, and pay unto Jehovah your God: Let all that are round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

12He will cut off the spirit of princes: He is terrible to the kings of the earth. Psalm 77 For the Chief Musician; after the manner of Jeduthan. A Psalm of Asaph.

1For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of Asaph, a song. God has revealed himself in Judah; in Israel his reputation is great.

2He lives in Salem; he dwells in Zion.

3There he shattered the arrows, the shield, the sword, and the rest of the weapons of war. (Selah)

4You shine brightly and reveal your majesty, as you descend from the hills where you killed your prey.

5The bravehearted were plundered; they “fell asleep.” All the warriors were helpless.

6At the sound of your battle cry, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse “fell asleep.”

7You are awesome! Yes, you! Who can withstand your intense anger?

8From heaven you announced what their punishment would be. The earth was afraid and silent

9when God arose to execute judgment, and to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. (Selah)

10Certainly your angry judgment upon men will bring you praise; you reveal your anger in full measure.

11Make vows to the Lord your God and repay them. Let all those who surround him bring tribute to the awesome one.

12He humbles princes; the kings of the earth regard him as awesome.

1In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.

2His tabernacle is also in Salem; His dwelling place in Zion.

3There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.

4Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game.

5Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands.

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

7You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?

8You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent,

9when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah.

10Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.

11Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.

12He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Zion celebrating God's victory — God is known in Judah, His dwelling is in Salem; He broke the weapons of war, stilled the enemy; 'surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.'

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hymn of Praise / Zion Song Attributed Author: Asaph Key Themes: God's victory from Zion, divine warrior, the fear of God, human wrath serving God's purposes, God as judge over all the earth
Historical Context: This psalm celebrates a decisive military victory — most likely the destruction of Sennacherib's Assyrian army in 701 BC (2 Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36), when the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 soldiers overnight. The imagery of warriors "sleeping their sleep" (v.5) and chariots cast into "dead sleep" (v.6) perfectly fits an army destroyed in the night without Israel lifting a sword. "Salem" (v.2) is an ancient name for Jerusalem (Genesis 14:18 — Melchizedek was king of Salem). The psalm declares God's terrifying power and the futility of human military might against Him.
Structure:
  • God Known in Zion (vv.1-3)
  • God's Terrifying Victory (vv.4-6)
  • God the Fearsome Judge (vv.7-9)
  • Human Wrath Serves God's Glory (v.10)
  • Call to Worship the Fearsome God (vv.11-12)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.2): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Reflection

  • 1. Human wrath ultimately serves God's praise (v.10). Every act of human opposition against God — from Pharaoh to Sennacherib to the cross — ends up magnifying His glory. What they intend for evil, God transforms into praise.
  • 2. God is the only one to truly fear (v.7). If God is for you, no human enemy can ultimately harm you. But if God is against you, no human ally can save you. Fear God — and fear no one else.
  • 3. Military might is nothing before God (vv.3-6). Arrows, shields, swords, chariots, horses — all rendered useless by divine intervention. Don't trust in technology or strategy — trust in the God who breaks weapons overnight.