To the chief musician, on neginoth, a psalm, a song of Asaph
76:Title Neginoth means string instruments.⚜
76
📚In Judah God is known. His name is great in Israel.
76:1 The greatest possible blessing for a people or an individual is to have the knowledge of the true God. In those days this was the blessing the people in Israel had. Now this true and only God is known among Christ’s believers scattered here and there throughout the whole world. See John 17:3.⚜
2 📚Also his tabernacle is
in Salem 📖,
and his dwelling place in Zion 📖.
3 📚There he broke the arrows
of the bow,
the shield and the sword
of battle. Selah
76:3 This psalm is a triumphant hymn after a battle in which God had fought for His people and conquered their enemies – vs 5-9. Some scholars believe the event referred to was the defeat of Sennacherib’s army described in 2 Chronicles chapter 32 and Isaiah chapter 37. This psalm is ascribed to Asaph and Sennacherib’s invasion occurred long after Asaph’s death. If that invasion is meant (and we cannot be sure of this) Asaph was writing of the future as if it had already happened. See note on the title of Ps 74.⚜
4 📚You are more glorious
and excellent than
the mountains of prey.
5 📚The brave have been plundered;
they sleep 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 charioteer and horse
have been cast into a deep sleep.
7 📚You, you alone, are
to be feared.
And who can stand in your sight
when you become angry?
76:7 Notes on fear of the Lord at Ps 34:11-14; 111:10; Gen 20:11; Prov 1:7. On “stand” see Ezra 9:15; Nahum 1:6; Mal 3:2; Rev 6:17. Notes on wrath at Ps 90:7-11; Num 25:3.⚜
8 📚You caused judgment to be heard
from heaven;
the earth was afraid and became
quiet,
9 📚When God rose up for judgment
to save all the meek of
the earth. Selah
76:9 Observe why God pours out His wrath on wicked enemies. It is necessary for the sake of justice and for the salvation of the humble.⚜
10 📚Surely the wrath of man will
praise you.
With the remainder of wrath
you arm yourself 📖.
11 📚Make vows 📖 to the LORD
your God and fulfil them.
May all who are around him bring
presents 📖 to him who ought
to be feared.
12 📚He will cut off the spirit of princes.
He is awesome toward
the kings of the earth.