Psalms 76–12
Psalm 76:1-12
Psa.76.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנגינת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאסף: VERB,qal,inf
- שיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 50:1 (verbal): Shares the same authorial heading, 'A Psalm of Asaph' — connects Psalm 76 to the Asaph collection and its theological/poetic tradition.
- Psalm 73:1 (verbal): Also begins with 'A Psalm of Asaph,' reinforcing the link between Psalm 76 and the corpus of Asaph psalms (themes of divine justice and sanctuary worship).
- Psalm 78:1 (verbal): Begins with an Asaph designation (often rendered 'A maskil of Asaph' or 'A song of Asaph'), echoing the authorial and liturgical identity found in Psalm 76's superscription.
- Psalm 8:1 (structural): Another psalm heading that addresses the choirmaster/leader ('To the choirmaster… A Psalm of David'), showing the common liturgical/performative formula used in Psalm superscriptions (musical direction and authorial note).
Alternative generated candidates
- To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
- To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
Psa.76.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נודע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 48:1-2 (thematic): Celebrates the LORD’s greatness in the city of God and Zion—parallels Ps.76’s emphasis on God’s renown in Judah/Israel and his association with Zion.
- Psalm 102:21 (verbal): Speaks of ‘declaring the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem,’ directly echoing the motif of God’s name being known/celebrated in Israel.
- Psalm 135:21 (verbal): ‘Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem’—parallels the claim that God is known in Judah and that his dwelling/abode is in Zion/Jerusalem.
- Deuteronomy 12:5 (allusion): Commands Israel to seek the place the LORD will choose ‘to put his name’ and make his habitation there—background law/theology for the idea of God’s name being located and known within Israel (Judah/Zion).
- Joel 2:27 (thematic): ‘You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I the LORD am your God’—resonates with Ps.76’s assertion that God is known/present in Judah and Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
- God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
Psa.76.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סכו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m
- ומעונתו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m
- בציון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 132:13-14 (verbal): Explicitly echoes the language and idea: the LORD has chosen Zion for his dwelling/abode — “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation… here will I dwell.”
- Zechariah 2:10-11 (verbal): Speaks of God dwelling among his people in Zion — “I will dwell in the midst of thee… many nations shall be joined to the LORD.” This closely parallels the motif of God’s dwelling in Zion.
- Isaiah 33:20 (thematic): Describes Zion/Jerusalem as a secure habitation/tabernacle: “Look upon Zion… a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down,” reflecting the same theme of God’s dwelling-place.
- Psalm 48:1-2 (thematic): Celebrates Zion as the city of God and the mountain of his holiness — the idea of Zion as God’s chosen, glorious residence underlies Psalm 76:3.
- Exodus 25:8 (allusion): God’s command to build a sanctuary so that he may dwell among Israel provides the theological basis for speaking of God’s ‘tabernacle’ or ‘dwelling’ in Zion; Psalm 76:3 alludes to this cultic/dwelling motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- His tent is in Salem; his dwelling is in Zion.
- His tent is in Salem, his dwelling in Zion.
Psa.76.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמה: ADV
- שבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רשפי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מגן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחרב: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומלחמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Psalm 46:9 (verbal): Speaks of God breaking the bow and shattering the spear—closely parallels Ps 76:4's image of God breaking weapons and ending warfare.
- Zechariah 9:10 (verbal): Declares that the 'battle bow shall be cut off' as the coming king speaks peace—echoes the cutting/breaking of bows and the cessation of war in Ps 76:4.
- Isaiah 2:4 (thematic): Proclaims turning swords into plowshares and the end of war; thematically parallels Ps 76:4's emphasis on God disarming nations and bringing peace.
- Psalm 33:16–17 (thematic): Contrasts trust in chariots/warriors with reliance on God—thematively related to Ps 76:4 where God renders human weapons ineffective.
- Psalm 2:9 (verbal): Promises the ruler will 'break them with a rod of iron'—shares the motif of breaking/enforcing power over enemies found in Ps 76:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- There he shattered the flashing arrows—shield, spear, and sword; he silenced the battle. Selah.
- There he broke the flashing of the bow—shield, sword, and battle. Selah.
Psa.76.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נאור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אדיר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מהררי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- טרף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 97:5 (thematic): Declares that mountains melt like wax before the LORD—similar imagery emphasizing God's supremacy and majesty over mountains.
- Nahum 1:5 (thematic): Speaks of mountains trembling and hills melting at God's presence, paralleling the theme of God's greatness surpassing lofty mountains.
- Psalm 95:4-5 (verbal): Affirms that the heights of the mountains belong to God, echoing Ps 76:5's claim of God's exaltedness above the mountains.
- Habakkuk 3:6 (thematic): Describes ancient mountains being scattered and everlasting hills sinking at God's action—another expression of God's power over mountainous creation.
- Psalm 18:7-15 (thematic): Depicts God's awesome appearance causing the earth and mountains to quake, resonating with Ps 76:5's portrayal of divine majesty exceeding mountains.
Alternative generated candidates
- You are resplendent, awesome—more majestic than the mountains of prey.
- You are resplendent, awesome—more mighty than the mountains of prey.
Psa.76.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אשתוללו: VERB,hitp,perf,3,m,pl
- אבירי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שנתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3mp
- ולא: CONJ
- מצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 14:28 (thematic): God overthrows a powerful army—chariots and horsemen are engulfed so that not one survives—parallels the psalm's image of mighty warriors rendered powerless and incapacitated.
- Isaiah 37:36 (thematic): The angel of the LORD strikes down a host in their camp (185,000), a sudden divine slaying that echoes the psalm's depiction of warriors laid low as though asleep.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): God causes the enemy to turn on one another so that fighters are effectively disabled ('every man's sword against his fellow'), resembling the psalm's motif of warriors unable to raise a hand.
- Job 14:12 (verbal): Uses 'lie down'/'sleep' as a metaphor for death—parallels the psalmic language of the stouthearted 'sleeping' or being laid low when destroyed.
Alternative generated candidates
- The stout of heart were stunned; they fell asleep—their slumber—and none of the warriors could lift a hand.
- The stout of heart are undone; they sleep their sleep—none of the mighty could lift a hand.
Psa.76.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מגערתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נרדם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ורכב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסוס: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 15:4-5 (quotation): God defeats Egypt’s military—'his chariots and his horsemen' are overwhelmed—echoing the image of chariot and horse being incapacitated by the Lord.
- Judges 4:15 (thematic): The LORD routs Sisera’s army so the chariots fail and the pursuers are defeated—parallel theme of God disabling military vehicles and horses.
- Judges 5:21 (allusion): Deborah’s song depicts cosmic intervention and the sinking/confusion of chariots—poetic parallel to God’s rebuke that stupefies chariot and horse.
- Habakkuk 3:8 (verbal): Habakkuk speaks of God driving his 'horses and chariots' in divine judgment—uses similar language of God’s control over horses and chariots.
- Psalm 20:7 (thematic): Contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the LORD—echoes Psalm 76’s point about God’s supremacy over military power.
Alternative generated candidates
- At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, chariot and horse were struck down into sleep.
- At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, chariot and horse sank into sleep.
Psa.76.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- נורא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ומי: PRON,interr
- יעמד: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- מאז: ADV
- אפך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Nahum 1:6 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: both Hebrew texts ask rhetorically who can stand before God's wrath (מי יעמד), emphasizing the irresistible threat of divine anger.
- Exodus 15:11 (verbal): Shares the adjective נורא/ʻawesome/terribleʼ and a rhetorical comparison ('Who is like you?'), linking the portrayal of God as awe‑inspiring and fearsome.
- Job 9:4 (thematic): Echoes the theme that no one can oppose or stand against God—Job speaks of God's overwhelming power so that none can successfully resist him.
- Psalm 18:7–15 (thematic): A parallel description of divine anger and its consequences—earthquakes, cosmic disturbance, and the helplessness of enemies—underscoring that none can stand before the LORD when he is angry.
Alternative generated candidates
- You are to be feared—who can stand before you when you are angry?
- You are to be feared; who can stand before you when you are angry?
Psa.76.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- משמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- השמעת: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg
- דין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ושקטה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Habakkuk 2:20 (verbal): Both speak of the earth keeping silence before the LORD: 'Let all the earth keep silence before him' echoes 'the earth feared and was still.'
- Zephaniah 1:7 (verbal): A call to silence in the presence of the LORD—'Be silent before the Lord GOD'—parallels the poem's depiction of the earth hushed at God's judgment.
- Psalm 97:4-5 (thematic): Theophany and cosmic reaction to God's coming judgment: 'His lightning lights the world; the earth sees and trembles,' similar to earth's fear and stillness when God judges from heaven.
- Isaiah 2:19-21 (thematic): Description of people hiding in the earth 'from the terror of the LORD' and the earth's convulsion before his majesty parallels the motif of cosmic dread at divine judgment.
- Psalm 46:10 (thematic): 'Be still, and know that I am God' resonates with the theme of silence and stillness in response to God's sovereignty revealed in judgment from heaven.
Alternative generated candidates
- From heaven you gave forth judgment; the earth feared and was still.
- From heaven you gave forth judgment; the earth feared and was still.
Psa.76.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בקום: PREP
- למשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להושיע: VERB,hiph,inf,-,-,-,abs
- כל: DET
- ענוי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סלה: MISC
Parallels
- Psalm 9:9-10 (thematic): Declares Yahweh as refuge for the oppressed and helper of the needy—parallels Psalm 76’s theme of God arising in judgment to save the lowly of the earth.
- Psalm 72:12-14 (verbal): Speaks of delivering the needy and saving the children of the poor; closely echoes the language and intent of ‘to save all the humble of the earth.’
- Psalm 146:5-9 (thematic): Affirms that God executes justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, and frees the prisoners—a broader reflection of God’s saving, judging action on behalf of the lowly.
- Isaiah 11:4 (allusion): Foretells a ruler who will ‘judge the poor with righteousness’ and vindicate the meek—an OT prophetic parallel to divine judgment that saves the humble.
- Luke 1:52 (allusion): The Magnificat’s reversal motif (‘he has put down the mighty... exalted those of low degree’) echoes the theme of God’s judgment and vindication of the lowly found in Psalm 76:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- When God arose to judgment to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah.
- When God arose to enact judgment—to save all the afflicted of the earth—Selah.
Psa.76.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תודך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- שארית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- תחגר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Romans 9:22-23 (thematic): Paul speaks of God’s patience in order to “show his wrath and make known his power,” so that divine wrath serves God’s purpose and ultimately displays his glory—parallel to the idea that the wrath of man praises God and the remainder of wrath is restrained.
- Isaiah 10:5-7 (allusion): God calls Assyria “the rod of my anger,” using human violence as an instrument of divine judgment—closely related to the Psalm’s notion that human wrath functions to praise or accomplish God’s will.
- Psalm 2:10-12 (structural): Kings are urged to submit and 'kiss the Son' lest they incur divine anger and perish; the passage links human response to divine wrath and the veneration/submission that results, echoing Psalm 76’s theme of wrath producing acknowledgement of God.
- Nahum 1:2-7 (thematic): Nahum depicts Yahweh’s fierce and just wrath against nations but also his control and care for the faithful—resonating with the Psalm’s juxtaposition of destructive wrath and its restrained remainder.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the fury of man gives you praise; with the remnant of that fury you will gird yourself.
- For the rage of man brings you praise; you will restrain the remnant of that rage.
Psa.76.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נדרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF:3,m,sg
- ושלמו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- א: PRT
- להיכם: NOUN,m,sg,pr_2mp
- כל: DET
- סביביו: NOUN,m,pl,pr_3ms
- יובילו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- שי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למורא: PREP
Parallels
- Psalm 50:14 (verbal): Both verses use the formula 'pay your vows to the Most High/LORD' (Heb. נדרו ושלמו ליהוה), linking offering vows/thanksgiving to worship of God.
- Psalm 65:1 (verbal): Declares that vows will be performed to God in Zion ('to you shall vows be performed'), closely echoing the obligation to bring vows/offerings to the LORD.
- Psalm 22:25 (thematic): Speaks of paying vows in the presence of those who fear God ('I will pay my vows before those who fear him'), paralleling the association of vows and the worshipping community.
- Deuteronomy 23:21 (thematic): A legal instruction to fulfill vows made to the LORD ('When you vow a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it'), providing covenantal background to the psalm's call to pay vows.
Alternative generated candidates
- Make vows and pay them to the LORD your God; let all who surround him bring gifts to the One to be feared.
- Make vows and pay them to the LORD your God; let all who are round about bring gifts to the Awesome One.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of Asaph. A song.
God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
His tent is in Salem; his dwelling is in Zion.
There he shattered the flashing of the bow—the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.
You are awesome; more majestic than the mountains of prey.
The mighty of heart were routed; they slept their sleep—none of the warriors could lift a hand.
At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, chariot and rider sank into sleep.
You are to be feared—you are awesome; who can stand before you when once you are angry?
From heaven you pronounced judgment; the earth feared and was still.
When God rose to judge—to save all the oppressed of the earth. Selah.
For the wrath of man will praise you; the remnant of wrath you will gird.
Make vows and pay them to the LORD your God; let all who surround him bring gifts to the One to be feared.