Bible Commentaries

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.

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; 2 Samuel 5:6; 2 Samuel 7:1, 2 Samuel 7:2, &c. See App-68. Zion had no place in history till this event.

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".

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.

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

men. Hebrew. "enosh. App-14.

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.

meek = the patient oppressed ones.

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

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

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.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.