Bible Commentaries
Psalms 76

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

Song. Hebrew. shir. App-65 .

of Asaph = by Asaph. The fifth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63 .Psalms 76:1 , Psalms 76:5 , Psalms 76:8 , and Psalms 76:11 are in the third person. Psalms 76:4 , Psalms 76:7 , Psalms 76:10 and are in the second person. The Structure is determined by the two Selahs; and points to the historic event, the taking of Jebus by David (2 Samuel 5:4-9 ) 960B.C.

Judah. Great emphasis on the locality. Note the three terms, Judah, Salem, Zion, and "there" (Psalms 76:3 ).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

known = made known, or making Himself known.

Israel. Named because the taking of Jebus was in connection with David's taking of the throne of Israel.

Verse 2

Salem. The ancient Jebusite name for Jerusalem. Compare Genesis 14:18 . Hebrews 7:1 , Hebrews 7:2 .

is = is come; or is setup.

tabernacle: i.e. David's tabernacle on Zion. in Psalms 18:11 = pavilion, or dwelling. Hebrew. sukkah, not 'ohel.

Zion. This is where David's tabernacle was set up after the taking of Jebus. Compare 2 Samuel 5:6-10 ; 2Sa 5:6 ; 2 Samuel 7:1 , 2 Samuel 7:2 , &c. See App-68 . Zion had no place in history till this event.

Verse 3

There. Emphatic. Hebrew. sham . Compare Genesis 2:8 . Exodus 40:3 (therein). Deuteronomy 1:39 (thither). 2 Chronicles 6:11 (in it).

brake He = hath He broken in pieces.

battle. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for other weapons used in battle.

Selah. Connecting the Jebusite defeat with God Who gave it; and passing on from the third person to the second. See App-66 . Note the emphasis on "Thou".

Verse 4

mountains of prey. The great mountain (Zion) which had become a prey: i.e. a prey seized, as in next verse; the mighty men bad become a spoil, or been plundered.

Verse 5

none . . . found their hands. Idiom for helplessness. Like losing heart or finding heart (2 Samuel 7:27 ).

men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 6

God of Jacob. See note on Psalms 75:9 .

Both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "the horsemen are stunned".

cast into a dead sleep. One word in Hebrew = stunned.

Verse 9

meek = the patient oppressed ones.

Selah. Connecting God ' s judgment on Jebusites, and making it a ground of praise. See App-66 .

Verse 10

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 11

pay unto. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) = "pay [thy vows] unto".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

presents. Plural of majesty: i.e. a great or ceremonial present.

Verse 12

spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .