In Judah, God Is Known
Psalm 76 summary: what it means
Psalm 76 celebrates God as the one who ends a battle. It opens by placing him: known in Judah, great in Israel, with his tabernacle in Salem and his dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the arrows, the shield and the sword. The next verses describe a defeated army: valiant men asleep in death, unable to lift their hands, and chariot and horse cast into a dead sleep at God's rebuke.
The psalm then widens from one battlefield to the whole earth. God pronounces judgment from heaven, the earth falls silent, and the purpose is named: to save all the afflicted of the earth. Verse 10 says even human wrath ends up praising him. The psalm closes by urging vows to God and saying that he cuts off the spirit of princes.
Listen to Psalm 76 (audio)
1:25 · AI voice · All psalms audio
Psalm 76: In Judah, God Is Known
World English Bible, public domain. allpsalms.com/psalm-76
Psalm 76 commentary: explained verse by verse
In Judah, God is known.His name is great in Israel.
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
The psalm begins by placing God among his people. He is known in Judah and his name is great in Israel.
Also read Psalm 147:19-20, Daniel 4:1-2, 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, 2 Chronicles 2:5-6
His tabernacle is also in Salem.His dwelling place in Zion.
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
Salem and Zion are set side by side as God's tabernacle and dwelling place. The verse ties God's fame in verse 1 to a particular place.
Also read Hebrews 7:1-2, Psalm 132:13-14, Lamentations 2:6, 2 Chronicles 6:6
There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow,the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
There God broke the weapons of war: flaming arrows, shield and sword. The victory is told as the destruction of weapons, not the praise of soldiers.
Also read Ezekiel 39:9-10, Ezekiel 39:3-4, Psalm 46:9, 2 Chronicles 14:12-13
Glorious are you, and excellent,more than mountains of game.
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
Also read Ezekiel 19:6, Jeremiah 4:7, Daniel 7:17-28, Daniel 7:4-8
Valiant men lie plundered,they have slept their last sleep.None of the men of war can lift their hands.
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
The enemy's bravest men are described as plundered and asleep for the last time. None of the men of war can lift a hand.
Also read Ezekiel 30:21-25, Jeremiah 51:39, Luke 1:51-52, Isaiah 31:8
At your rebuke, God of Jacob,both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
The cause is given: God's rebuke. At a word from the God of Jacob, chariot and horse fall into a dead sleep, which echoes the sleep of verse 5.
Also read Isaiah 37:36, Jeremiah 51:57, Zechariah 12:4, Exodus 15:21
You, even you, are to be feared.Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
The psalm draws the lesson. God is the one to be feared, and nobody can stand before him when he is angry.
Also read Psalm 89:7, Revelation 14:7, Revelation 15:4, Nahum 1:6
You pronounced judgment from heaven.The earth feared, and was silent,
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
Also read Judges 5:20, 1 Chronicles 16:30, 2 Chronicles 20:29-30, Zechariah 2:13
when God arose to judgment,to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah.
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
The purpose of the judgment is stated here. God arose to judgment to save all the afflicted ones of the earth, so his anger is aimed at rescue.
Also read Isaiah 11:4, Psalm 9:7-9, Jeremiah 5:28, Psalm 25:9
Surely the wrath of man praises you.The survivors of your wrath are restrained.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
This verse says that even human wrath ends up praising God, and that what is left of wrath is held in check. The KJV reads: Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Also read Exodus 18:11, Acts 4:26-28, Exodus 9:16-17, Exodus 15:9-11
Make vows to the LORD your God, and fulfill them!Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
The response asked of the reader is practical: make vows to the LORD and keep them. The surrounding peoples are told to bring gifts to the one who is to be feared.
Also read Psalm 89:7, Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, Genesis 31:42, Psalm 119:106
He will cut off the spirit of princes.He is feared by the kings of the earth.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
The psalm ends with rulers. God cuts off the spirit of princes and is feared by the kings of the earth.
Also read Joshua 5:1, Isaiah 13:6-8, Isaiah 24:21, Psalm 2:10
A prayer from Psalm 76
God, in Judah you are known, and your name is great in Israel. Your dwelling place is in Zion. There you broke the flaming arrows, the shield and the sword. You are glorious and excellent. You, even you, are to be feared. When you arose to judgment, it was to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Let me make vows to you and keep them. Let me bring what I have to you, for you are feared by the kings of the earth. Amen.
Psalm 76 Bible study questions
- In verse 3, what does the psalm say God broke?
- According to verse 9, why did God arise to judgment?
- The psalm shows weapons of war being broken; what does that picture stir in you when you think about conflict today?
- Verse 11 calls people to make vows and fulfill them; why might keeping a promise be harder than making one?
- Psalm 46:9 also speaks of God breaking the bow and making wars cease; how does it compare with Psalm 76:3?
Questions about Psalm 76
What does Psalm 76 mean?
It praises God as the one who broke the weapons of war at Zion and judges the earth in order to save the afflicted. It ends by calling people to make and keep vows to him.
Who wrote Psalm 76?
The heading attributes it to Asaph: "A Psalm by Asaph. A song." It is also marked for the Chief Musician, on stringed instruments.
What does Psalm 76:10 mean?
It says that even human anger ends up bringing praise to God, and that he restrains whatever wrath remains. God stays in control of the rage of his enemies.
What does Psalm 76:11 mean?
It calls people to make vows to the LORD and keep them, and tells the neighbouring peoples to bring gifts to him.
What does Psalm 76:1 say in the KJV?
"In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel."
Psalm 76 KJV: the King James Version
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.1
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.2
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.3
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.4
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.5
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.6
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?7
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,8
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.9
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.10
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.11
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.12
Psalm 76 in Hebrew
The Hebrew text from the Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. Verse numbers follow the Hebrew Bible, which counts a psalm's heading as verse 1, so they can run one ahead of English Bibles.
Show the text
1 לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינֹ֑ת מִזְמ֖וֹר לְאָסָ֣ף שִֽׁיר׃
2 נוֹדָ֣ע בִּֽיהוּדָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים בְּ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל גָּד֥וֹל שְׁמֽוֹ׃
3 וַיְהִ֣י בְשָׁלֵ֣ם סֻכּ֑וֹ וּמְע֖וֹנָת֣וֹ בְצִיּֽוֹן׃
4 שָׁ֭מָּה שִׁבַּ֣ר רִשְׁפֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת מָגֵ֬ן וְחֶ֖רֶב וּמִלְחָמָ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃
5 נָ֭אוֹר אַתָּ֥ה אַדִּ֗יר מֵֽהַרְרֵי־טָֽרֶף׃
6 אֶשְׁתּוֹלְל֨וּ ׀ אַבִּ֣ירֵי לֵ֭ב נָמ֣וּ שְׁנָתָ֑ם וְלֹא־מָצְא֖וּ כָל־אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֣יִל יְדֵיהֶֽם׃
7 מִ֭גַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב נִ֝רְדָּ֗ם וְרֶ֣כֶב וָסֽוּס׃
8 אַתָּ֤ה ׀ נ֥וֹרָא אַ֗תָּה וּמִֽי־יַעֲמֹ֥ד לְפָנֶ֗יךָ מֵאָ֥ז אַפֶּֽךָ׃
9 מִ֭שָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמַ֣עְתָּ דִּ֑ין אֶ֖רֶץ יָֽרְאָ֣ה וְשָׁקָֽטָה׃
10 בְּקוּם־לַמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט אֱלֹהִ֑ים לְהוֹשִׁ֖יעַ כָּל־עַנְוֵי־אֶ֣רֶץ סֶֽלָה׃
11 כִּֽי־חֲמַ֣ת אָדָ֣ם תּוֹדֶ֑ךָּ שְׁאֵרִ֖ית חֵמֹ֣ת תַּחְגֹּֽר׃
12 נִֽדֲר֣וּ וְשַׁלְּמוּ֮ לַיהוָ֪ה אֱֽלֹהֵ֫יכֶ֥ם כָּל־סְבִיבָ֑יו יוֹבִ֥ילוּ שַׁ֝֗י לַמּוֹרָֽא׃
13 יִ֭בְצֹר ר֣וּחַ נְגִידִ֑ים נ֝וֹרָ֗א לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃
Psalm 76 in the Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible
The Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain. It follows the Greek and Latin numbering, so this psalm is Psalm 75 there.
Show the text
1 Unto the end, in praises, a psalm for Asaph: a canticle to the Assyrians.
2 In Judea God is known: his name is great in Israel.
3 And his place is in peace: and his abode in Sion:
4 There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battie.
5 Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills.
6 All the foolish of heart were troubled. They have slept their sleep; and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.
7 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback.
8 Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath.
9 Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still,
10 When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
11 For the thought of man shall give praise to thee: and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee.
12 Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God: all you that are round about him bring presents. To him that is terrible,
13 Even to him who taketh away the spirit of princes: to the terrible with the kings of the earth.
Psalm 76 in Latin
The Clementine Vulgate, public domain, where this psalm is Psalm 75.
Show the text
1 In finem, in laudibus. Psalmus Asaph, canticum ad Assyrios.
2 Notus in Judæa Deus; in Israël magnum nomen ejus.
3 Et factus est in pace locus ejus, et habitatio ejus in Sion.
4 Ibi confregit potentias arcuum, scutum, gladium, et bellum.
5 Illuminans tu mirabiliter a montibus æternis;
6 turbati sunt omnes insipientes corde. Dormierunt somnum suum, et nihil invenerunt omnes viri divitiarum in manibus suis.
7 Ab increpatione tua, Deus Jacob, dormitaverunt qui ascenderunt equos.
8 Tu terribilis es; et quis resistet tibi? ex tunc ira tua.
9 De cælo auditum fecisti judicium: terra tremuit et quievit
10 cum exsurgeret in judicium Deus, ut salvos faceret omnes mansuetos terræ.
11 Quoniam cogitatio hominis confitebitur tibi, et reliquiæ cogitationis diem festum agent tibi.
12 Vovete et reddite Domino Deo vestro, omnes qui in circuitu ejus affertis munera: terribili,
13 et ei qui aufert spiritum principum: terribili apud reges terræ.
Printable Psalm 76: free, large print and PDF
Print Psalm 76 for free: the whole psalm or only the verses you tick. Choose regular, large or extra large print, and a plain page, a framed sheet to hang on the wall or a verse card, in the World English Bible or the King James Version. To keep a PDF, choose Save as PDF in the print window. Nothing to sign up for.
Psalm 76 at a glance
| Verses | 12 |
| Heading in the text | For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song. |
| Attributed to | The heading attributes it to Asaph: "A Psalm by Asaph. A song." |
| Type | Praise |
| Number in Greek and Latin Bibles | Psalm 75 |
Read Psalm 76 when you are facing
Psalm 76 in other translations
This page prints the World English Bible and the King James Version because both are public domain. The NIV, ESV, NKJV, NLT and NASB are under copyright, so they cannot be printed in full here. You can read Psalm 76 in those translations at Bible Gateway.
Where Psalm 76 belongs
Psalms of AsaphBook 3 of the Psalms
How this page was made
The psalm text comes from public domain translations and is not edited. The summary, the verse notes and the answers are written for this page from the text of the psalm itself. Where a claim goes beyond the text, it is sourced below.
Sources
- Text: World English Bible and King James Version, both public domain, from ebible.org source
- Hebrew text: Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Douay-Rheims: Douay-Rheims Bible, 1899 edition, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Latin text: Clementine Vulgate, public domain, from ebible.org source
- Numbering: Greek and Latin psalm numbering, Wikipedia, Psalms source