76:1ffThis psalm praises God for his awesome power. It was most likely written to celebrate the defeat of Sennacherib’s army after it invaded Judah (see 2 Kings 18:13-19, 37).
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 76
Psalm 76
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 923, 924
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
76Psalm 76
Author: Asaph
176 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be accompanied by stringed instruments.God 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.
4You are glorious and more majesticthan 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.
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.76:2 Hebrew Salem, another name for Jerusalem. 76:4 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads than mountains filledwith beasts of prey. 76:10 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
Theme: We are comforted through the hard times by remembering God's help in the past. Recalling God’s miracles and previous works can give us courage to continue.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
76:10How can defiance bring glory to God? Hostility to God and his people gives God the opportunity to do great deeds. For example, the pharaoh of Egypt refused to free the Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1, 2) and thus allowed God to work mighty miracles for his people (Exodus 11:9). God turns the tables on evildoers and brings glory to himself from the foolishness of those who deny him or revolt against him. God’s wrath expressed in judgment brings praise from those who have been delivered.
76:11,12This psalm closes with an invitation to the reader or listener. Having stated the futility of resisting God, the writer shifts to the alternatives. These verses speak of more than surrender to God; they encourage us to actively move toward God, making commitments (vows) to him and carrying them out. What was the last promise you made to God? How much progress have you made in fulfilling it? 77:1#f Asaph cried out to God for courage during a time of deep distress. The source of Asaph’s distress (77:4) was his doubt (77:7-9). He said, “I cry out to God.” But in 77:13-20, the /is gone. As Asaph expressed his requests to God, his focus changed from thinking of himself to worshiping God: “You are the God of great wonders!” (77:14). Only after he put aside his doubts about God's holiness and care for him (77:13, 14) did he eliminate his distress (77:20). As we pray to God, he shifts our focus from ourselves to him.
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Interlude
Study feature · page 924
Interlude
Study feature · page 924
Interlude
Study feature · page 924
77:16 Hebrew the waters.