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Psalm chapter 76

English Standard Version

1In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. 2His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 3There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah 4Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey. 5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands. 6At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned. 7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? 8From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, 9when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah 10Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. 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, 12who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.
New International Version

1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song. God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great. 2His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
3There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. 4You are radiant with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game. 5The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.
6At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still. 7It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? 8From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet— 9when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land.
10Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. 11Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. 12He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
New American Standard Bible

1God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel. 2His tabernacle is in Salem; His dwelling place also is in Zion. 3There He broke the flaming arrows, The shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah 4You are resplendent, More majestic than the mountains of prey. 5The stouthearted were plundered, They sank into sleep; And none of the warriors could use his hands. 6At Your rebuke, God of Jacob, Both rider and horse were cast into a dead sleep. 7You, You indeed are to be feared, And who may stand in Your presence, once You are angry? 8You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still 9When God arose to judgment, To save all the humble of the earth. Selah 10For the wrath of mankind shall praise You; You will encircle Yourself with a remnant of wrath. 11Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; All who are around Him are to bring gifts to Him who is to be feared. 12He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.
Christian Standard Bible

1For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song. God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel. 2His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.
3There he shatters the bow’s flaming arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah 4You are resplendent and majestic coming down from the mountains of prey. 5The brave-hearted have been plundered; they have slipped into their final sleep. None of the warriors was able to lift a hand.
6At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse lay still. 7And you—you are to be feared. When you are angry, who can stand before you? 8From heaven you pronounced judgment. The earth feared and grew quiet
9when God rose up to judge and to save all the lowly of the earth. Selah
10Even human wrath will praise you; you will clothe yourself with the wrath that remains. 11Make and keep your vows to the Lord your God; let all who are around him bring tribute to the awe-inspiring one. 12He humbles the spirit of leaders; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
New Living Translation

1God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. 2Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home.
3There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. Interlude
4You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. 5Our boldest enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us. 6At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots lay still.
7No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes? 8From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you.
9You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude 10Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon.
11Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. 12For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him.
King James Version

1To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
2In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
3There broke he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
4Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
5The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
7Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
8Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
9When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
11Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
12He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
New King James Version

1{To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.} In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel. 2In Salem also is His tabernacle, And His dwelling place in Zion.
3There He broke the arrows of the bow, The shield and sword of battle. Selah
4You are more glorious and excellent Than the mountains of prey. 5 The stouthearted were plundered; They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands. 6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep. 7You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence When once You are angry? 8 You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still,
9When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself. 11 Make vows to the Lord your God, and pay them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared. 12He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.

What does Psalm chapter 76 mean?

This is described as "a psalm of Asaph." The most famous Asaph was a contemporary of king David (1 Chronicles 6:39). However, this song seems to perfectly describe a failed Assyrian invasion which happened centuries after David's life (2 Kings 18—19). If the song addresses that issue, then its association with Asaph would mean it is written in his style, or perhaps by a descendant with the same name. Like Psalms 4, 55, 67, and others, this is meant to be played with stringed instruments.

Mount Zion was originally a Jebusite fortress captured by David (2 Samuel 5:7). The same area was apparently called Salem (Genesis 14:18). David made this his capital city: Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:1). These terms became symbolic references to this "city of David" (2 Samuel 5:9). Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 1:2–4), and the name of the southern kingdom after the division of Israel (1 Kings 12:16–24). As the location of the temple (1 Kings 6:1), and for a while the location of the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 15:3), Jerusalem was seen as the symbolic home of God on earth (Psalm 76:1–2).

God is credited with entirely defeating an enemy's fighting ability. That these weapons are "broken" implies that they are ineffective. During the attempted Assyrian siege of Jerusalem, God sent an angel to kill thousands upon thousands of invading soldiers overnight. In the morning, the shattered army retreated (2 Kings 19:35–36). In a single action, God undid all the supposed power of these men of war. Without Israel sending a single soldier into combat (1 Kings 19:32–34), an enemy which seemed invincible was turned back (Psalm 76:3–6).

The psalmist then turns to praise the absolute power of the Lord God. As the Creator (Genesis 1:1), nothing in the universe can withstand God. His judgment terrifies the entire world into silence. Here, the "wrath of man" refers to the rage and anguish of those who suffer the Lord's judgment on sin. All the defiance and rage of those judged by God will only serve to prove His glory (Psalm 2:1). When human effort is exhausted, He has power to spare. In fact, the Lord will symbolically "wear" the shattered remnants of human defiance like a trophy (Psalm 76:7–10).

Because of this, God is to be honored. The concept of "fear" here certainly includes a sense of danger: God is unstoppable and all-powerful. Yet proper "fear" of God is not abject panic or terror (Proverbs 1:7). It means reverence and submissive respect. Living out that attitude includes fulfilling any vows made to God, rather than breaking them. It also means sacrifices of thanks. God's power and authority prune away the arrogance of any dynasty which thinks it can oppose him (Isaiah 18:5; 25:5). Even the greatest of human rulers ought to reverently "fear" the Lord (Psalm 76:11–12).
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