Psalm 76

God, the Powerful Judge

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph.(A) A song.

God is known in Judah;
his name is great in Israel.(B)
His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.(C)
There he shatters the bow’s flaming arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.(D)Selah

You are resplendent and majestic
coming down from the mountains of prey.(E)
The brave-hearted have been plundered;
they have slipped into their final sleep.
None of the warriors was able to lift a hand.(F)
At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both chariot and horse lay still.(G)

And you—you are to be feared.[a]
When you are angry,
who can stand before you?(H)
From heaven you pronounced judgment.
The earth feared and grew quiet(I)
when God rose up to judge
and to save all the lowly of the earth.(J)Selah
10 Even human wrath will praise you;
you will clothe yourself
with the wrath that remains.[b](K)

11 Make and keep your vows
to the Lord your God;(L)
let all who are around him bring tribute
to the awe-inspiring one.[c](M)
12 He humbles the spirit of leaders;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 76:7 Or are awe-inspiring
  2. 76:10 Hb obscure
  3. 76:11 Or tribute with awe

Israel’s God—Judge of All the Earth

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

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

Glorious art thou, more majestic
    than the everlasting mountains.[a]
The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
    they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
    were unable to use their hands.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob,
    both rider and horse lay stunned.

But thou, terrible art thou!
    Who can stand before thee
    when once thy anger is roused?
From the heavens thou didst utter judgment;
    the earth feared and was still,
when God arose to establish judgment
    to save all the oppressed of the earth.Selah

10 Surely the wrath of men shall praise thee;
    the residue of wrath thou wilt gird upon thee.
11 Make your vows to the Lord your God, and perform them;
    let all around him bring gifts
    to him who is to be feared,
12 who cuts off the spirit of princes,
    who is terrible to the kings of the earth.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 76:4 Gk: Heb the mountains of prey

Psalm 76[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

God is renowned in Judah;
    in Israel his name is great.(A)
His tent is in Salem,(B)
    his dwelling place in Zion.(C)
There he broke the flashing arrows,(D)
    the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.[b](E)

You are radiant with light,(F)
    more majestic than mountains rich with game.
The valiant(G) lie plundered,
    they sleep their last sleep;(H)
not one of the warriors
    can lift his hands.
At your rebuke,(I) God of Jacob,
    both horse and chariot(J) lie still.

It is you alone who are to be feared.(K)
    Who can stand(L) before you when you are angry?(M)
From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared(N) and was quiet—
when you, God, rose up to judge,(O)
    to save all the afflicted(P) of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,(Q)
    and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.[c]

11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;(R)
    let all the neighboring lands
    bring gifts(S) to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
    he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 76:1 In Hebrew texts 76:1-12 is numbered 76:2-13.
  2. Psalm 76:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 9.
  3. Psalm 76:10 Or Surely the wrath of mankind brings you praise, / and with the remainder of wrath you arm yourself

Who Can Stand in Your Presence?

Psalm 76

For the music director, on stringed instruments: a psalm of Asaph, a song.
In Judah God is known.
In Israel His Name is great.
In Salem is His sukkah
and His dwelling place in Zion.
There He broke the fiery shafts of the bow,
the shield, the sword, and the battle. Selah
You are brilliant,
more majestic than nourishing mountains.
The valiant have been plundered—
they slumbered in their sleep.
The mighty could not lift their hands.
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both horse and rider lay dead asleep.
You are awesome, yes You are!
Who can stand in Your presence once You are angry?
From heaven You pronounced judgment.
The earth feared and was still—
10 when God rose up to judgment,
to save all the humble of the land. Selah
11 For wrath upon man will bring You praise,
a remnant of wrath You put on as a belt.
12 Make vows to Adonai your God and fulfill them.
Let all around Him bring tribute to the One who is to be feared.
13 He cuts off the breath of princes.
The kings of earth are in awe of Him.