Psalm 76
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 76[a]
God Defends Zion
1 For the leader; a psalm with stringed instruments. A song of Asaph.
I
2 Renowned in Judah is God,(A)
whose name is great in Israel.
3 On Salem[b] is God’s tent, his shelter on Zion.
4 There the flashing arrows were shattered,
shield, sword, and weapons of war.(B)
Selah
II
5 Terrible and awesome are you,
stronger than the ancient mountains.[c]
6 Despoiled are the stouthearted;
they sank into sleep;
the hands of all the men of valor have failed.(C)
7 At your roar, O God of Jacob,
chariot and steed lay still.
8 You, terrible are you;
who can stand before you and your great anger?(D)
9 From the heavens you pronounced sentence;
the earth was terrified and reduced to silence,
10 When you arose, O God, for judgment
to save the afflicted of the land.
Selah
11 Surely the wrath of man will give you thanks;
the remnant of your furor will keep your feast.
III
12 Make and keep vows to the Lord your God.(E)
May all around him bring gifts to the one to be feared,
13 Who checks the spirit of princes,
who is fearful to the kings of earth.
Footnotes
- Psalm 76 A song glorifying Zion, the mountain of Jerusalem where God destroyed Israel’s enemies. Zion is thus the appropriate site to celebrate the victory (Ps 76:3–4), a victory described in parallel scenes (Ps 76:5–7, 8–11). Israel is invited to worship its powerful patron deity (Ps 76:12).
- 76:3 Salem: an ancient name for Jerusalem, used here perhaps on account of its allusion to the Hebrew word for peace, shalom, cf. Gn 14:18; Hb 7:1–3.
- 76:5 Ancient mountains: conjectural translation of a difficult Hebrew phrase on the basis of Gn 49:26. The mountains are part of the structure of the universe (Ps 89:12–13).
Psalm 76
King James Version
76 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
4 Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
11 Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Psalm 76
English Standard Version
Who Can Stand Before You?
To the choirmaster: with (A)stringed instruments. A Psalm of (B)Asaph. A Song.
76 In Judah God is (C)known;
his name is great in Israel.
2 His (D)abode has been established in (E)Salem,
his (F)dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he (G)broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah
4 Glorious are you, more majestic
(H)than the mountains full of (I)prey.
5 (J)The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
(K)they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
were unable to use their hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both (L)rider and horse lay stunned.
7 (M)But you, you are to be feared!
Who can (N)stand before you
when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
(O)the earth feared and was still,
9 when God (P)arose to establish judgment,
to save all the humble of the earth. Selah
10 Surely (Q)the wrath of man shall praise you;
the remnant[a] of wrath you will put on like a belt.
11 (R)Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them;
let all around him (S)bring gifts
to him who (T)is to be feared,
12 who (U)cuts off the spirit of princes,
who (V)is to be feared by the kings of the earth.
Footnotes
- Psalm 76:10 Or extremity
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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