Psalm 76:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still,

NIV: From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—

NASB: You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still

CSB: From heaven you pronounced judgment. The earth feared and grew quiet

NLT: From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you.

KJV: Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

NKJV: You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still,

Psalm 76:4–10 continues a description of God's victory over the enemy. This probably speaks of the miraculous rout of Assyria which happened while Hezekiah was king (2 Kings 18—19). That victory reinforced the idea that God is glorious and to be feared. No one can withstand His wrath. When His wrath is set loose, the entire earth is awed into silence.

The psalmist celebrates the defeat of God's enemies by declaring that the people of Israel know their Lord. The psalm refers to soldiers, horses, and weapons being entirely neutralized. God's judgment is unstoppable. The entire earth is encouraged to honor the Lord, who has the power to overcome any earthly king. This psalm shares themes with Psalms 46 and 83, which also appear to address a miraculous defeat of the Assyrians (2 Kings 18—19).

This psalm seems related to the defeat of Assyrian forces who attempted to capture Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32–37). In that incident, God sent an angel to eliminate thousands upon thousands of enemy troops overnight; the Assyrians retreated the next morning (2 Kings 19:35–36). Psalms 46 and 83 appear to be about this as well. Because the Asaph who knew David lived centuries before this event (1 Chronicles 6:39), this psalm "of Asaph" is probably written in his style, or by a descendant with the same name. Psalms 4, 6, 54, 55, 61, and 67 also refer to the use of stringed instruments.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 7/27/2024 11:46:12 AM