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

The Majesty of God in Judgment

To the Chief Musician. On [a]stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.

76 In (A)Judah God is known;
His name is great in Israel.
In [b]Salem also is His tabernacle,
And His dwelling place in Zion.
There He broke the arrows of the bow,
The shield and sword of battle. Selah

You are more glorious and excellent
(B)Than the mountains of prey.
(C)The stouthearted were plundered;
(D)They [c]have sunk into their sleep;
And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands.
(E)At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.

You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And (F)who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry?
(G)You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;
(H)The earth feared and was still,
When God (I)arose to judgment,
To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah

10 (J)Surely the wrath of man shall praise You;
With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.

11 (K)Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them;
(L)Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.
12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes;
(M)He is awesome to the kings of the earth.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 76:1 Heb. neginoth
  2. Psalm 76:2 Jerusalem
  3. Psalm 76:5 Lit. have slumbered their sleep