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Psalm 76

Israel’s God—Judge of All the Earth

To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

In Judah God is known;
    his name is great in Israel.(A)
His abode has been established in Salem,
    his dwelling place in Zion.(B)
There he broke the flashing arrows,
    the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah(C)

Glorious are you, more majestic
    than the everlasting mountains.[a]
The courageous were stripped of their spoil;
    they sank into sleep;
none of the troops
    was able to lift a hand.(D)
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
    both rider and horse lay stunned.

But you indeed are awesome!
    Who can stand before you
    when your anger is roused?(E)
From the heavens you uttered judgment;
    the earth feared and was still(F)
when God rose up to establish judgment,
    to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah(G)

10 Human wrath serves only to praise you,
    when you bind the last bit of your[b] wrath around you.(H)
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
    let all who are around him bring gifts
    to the one who is awesome,(I)
12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,
    who inspires fear in the kings of the earth.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 76.4 Gk: Heb the mountains of prey
  2. 76.10 Heb lacks your

To the Director: With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

The Awesome God

76 God is known in Judah;
    in Israel his reputation is great.
His abode is in Salem,[a]
    his dwelling place in Zion.
There he shattered sharp arrows,
    shields, swords, and weapons of[b] war.
Interlude

You are enveloped by light;
    more majestic than mountains filled with game.
Brave men were plundered
    while they slumbered in their sleep.
        All the men of the army were immobilized.
At the sound of your battle cry, God of Jacob,
    both horse and chariot rider fell into deep sleep.
You are awesome!
    who can stand in your presence when you’re angry?
From heaven you declared judgment.
    The earth stands in awe and is quiet
when God arose to execute justice
    and to deliver all the afflicted of the earth.
Interlude
10 Even human anger praises you;
    you will wear the survivors of your wrath as an ornament.[c]

11 Let everyone who surrounds the Lord your God
    make a vow and fulfill it to the Awesome One.[d]
12 He will humble the arrogant[e] commanders-in-chief,[f]
    instilling fear among the kings of the earth.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 76:2 I.e. Jerusalem
  2. Psalm 76:3 The Heb. lacks weapons of
  3. Psalm 76:10 The Heb. lacks as an ornament
  4. Psalm 76:11 Or to the one whom they fear
  5. Psalm 76:12 Lit. the spirit of
  6. Psalm 76:12 Lit. Nagidim; i.e. senior officers entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority