Psalm 76 Study Notes

Ps 76 title On Asaph, see note at Ps 50 title.

76:1 The ancient Near Eastern concept of the name reflects identity, reputation, and character. The combination of Judah and Israel in parallel lines indicates all twelve tribes witnessed to God’s name.

76:2 Salem is a shortened form of Jerusalem. Zion also refers to Jerusalem. The place where the name dwells is commonly associated with the divine presence of God. His tent should perhaps be rendered “shelter” in this context. The Hebrew term sukkah refers to a hut built from intertwined tree branches. “Shelter” nicely parallels a dwelling place protected by thick vegetation. “Shelter” and “dwelling place” figuratively describe the Lord’s presence in the temple.

76:3 Flaming arrows, a metaphor for strength, can also mean “lightning bolts.” The psalmist used imagery depicting the Lord as a divine warrior who defeated the enemy (29:7; 78:48; Dt 32:24; Hab 3:5).

76:4 The psalmist addressed God directly, using the second person you. By calling God resplendent, he equated God’s presence to “light.” The Hebrew word min could indicate that God’s majesty and strength exceed that of the mountains. The idea corresponds to the statement of victory in v. 3.

76:5 God’s enemies do not show courage by challenging him; instead, their actions demonstrate their stubborn nature (Is 46:12). They have slipped suggests that exhaustion eventually ended in permanent sleep, or death. Hand metaphorically refers to strength; the warriors could no longer find strength to fight.

76:6 Jacob refers to the twelve tribes descended from the patriarch. God’s spoken word brings about miraculous events, causing waters to stand or divide (18:15; 104:7; Is 50:2) and people to perish (Ps 80:16). The rebuke of God, coupled with the mention of chariot and horse, alludes to the exodus event, a recurrent theme in the psalms of Asaph (Ex 15:1,4). The chariot and horse lay still, a term describing a comatose state or deep sleep. The metaphor for death (Ex 15:16) fits well with the imagery in Ps 76:5.

76:7 The repetition of you emphasizes the Lord. Fear of God is a combination of humility, obedience, awe, and respect. No creature that opposes God’s righteous anger can endure in his presence (147:17; Nah 1:6).

76:8-9 The Hebrew term shaqat never denotes a silence or quietness derived from terror. So this is a reverent fear that stems from a sense of security and comfort as a result of God’s correction of injustice and oppression. The Lord’s righteousness produces hope, trust, and peace (Is 30:15; 32:17).

76:10 God uses all things to fulfill his divine will and purpose. Even human wrath serves to exalt God, perhaps because it is powerless to defy God or overthrow his justice.

76:11 A vow is a solemn promise or oath. God’s people, encouraged to praise him for deliverance from their enemies, bring sacrifices and offerings in gratitude. The faithful surround God to willingly bring worship, an ironic contrast to v. 10, where human wrath encompassed God but, despite contrary intentions, only managed to glorify him.