You are more glorious and excellent Than the mountains of prey. 76:4
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. Psalm 76:6
The God of Victory and Judgment
Psalm 76 is a psalm of praise with a strong focus on the fear of God. God is known in His victories over Israel’s enemies. His just judgments teach people to fear Him and bow down.
God’s anger. Anger makes us draw back from people. But God’s anger is different. It’s intended to cause us to take Him seriously (to “fear” God) and move us to come to Him. Even when directed against us, God’s anger never overwhelms His love. Human beings can trust even an angry God to welcome the guilty with open arms.
76:1-3 The word translated tabernacle signifies a lair, like that of a great lion. Salem is a shortened term of Israel.
1 To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion. 3 There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. Selah
76:4-6 more glorious and excellent: Nothing in all the universe or in all eternity can ever be compared with God (77:13). His glory and beauty are unsurpassed and His power is unassailable. Chariot and horse refer to the defeat of the army of Pharaoh (Ex. 14; 15).
4 You are more glorious and excellent Than the mountains of prey. 5 The stouthearted were plundered; They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
76:7 The repetition of pronouns You, Yourself is for emphasis: Only the Almighty is to be feared. For the righteous, the fear of God is a response of awe and adoration, and worship. For the wicked, the fear of God is terror, for there is no escape from Him (14:5).
7 You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry?
76:8-10 judgment to be heard: In God’s victories over the enemies of His people, word of God’s glory and justice would spread to the entire world. Even the wrath of men will praise God because any anger against God is utterly futile. As Paul writes, “For who has resisted His will?” (Rom. 9:19). A person’s futile hostility to God will only result in a demonstration of God’s power and a subsequent glorification of His name. See the Lord’s response to Pharaoh (Ex. 11:9).
8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.
76:11, 12 The psalmist instructs the righteous in the true worship of the sovereign Lord of creation. Make vows: There are vows of praise, sacrifice, and faithful living. As one might bring presents to a king, so the righteous should bring their gifts to God – the ultimate gift being the dedication of their lives to the service of God (Rom, 12:1).
11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared. 12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.
** When we consider the evil of this world, then we also understand the anger of God. It is even comforting to know that God is angry.
76 1 To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. 2 In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion. 3 There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. Selah 4 You are more glorious and excellent Than the mountains of prey. 5 The stouthearted were plundered; They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
7 You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still, 9 When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. 11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared. 12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. Psalm 76:6
He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth. Psalm 76:12