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Psalms 76

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[1]God's majesty set forth in his notable defence of the church: [11]an exhortation to serve him reverently.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.

1. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

2. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

3. There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

4. Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.

5. The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

6. At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

7. Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

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

9. When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

11. Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

12. He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

Metrical version

Psalm 76

C.M. Martyrs, York

In Judah's land God is well known,
his name 's in Isr'el great:
In Salem is his tabernacle,
in Zion is his seat.

There arrows of the bow he brake,
the shield, the sword, the war.
More glorious thou than hills of prey,
more excellent art far.

Those that were stout of heart are spoiled,
they slept their sleep outright;
And none of those their hands did find,
that were the men of might.

When thy rebuke, O Jacob's God,
had forth against them past,
Their horses and their chariots both
were in a deep sleep cast.

Thou, Lord, ev'n thou art he that should
be feared; and who is he
That may stand up before thy sight,
if once thou angry be?

From heav'n thou judgment caused be heard;
the earth was still with fear,
When God to judgment rose, to save
all meek on earth that were.

Surely the very wrath of man
unto thy praise redounds:
Thou to the remnant of his wrath
wilt set restraining bounds.

Vow to the LORD your God, and pay:
all ye that near him be,
Bring gifts and presents unto him;
for to be feared is he.

By him the spirits shall be cut off
of those that princes are:
Unto the kings that are on earth
he fearful doth appear.
This psalm is like to the 48th, and was penned on occasion of some remarkable victory; but whether in the days of David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, or Hezekiah (2 Chron. 14, 20, 32), is uncertain. We have in it, (1.) Encouraging congratulations of the church's happiness, in having God so manifested in her, and so near unto her; and in having his power so employed in her behalf, to the advancement of his own glory, and the destruction of her enemies, ver. 1-6. (2.) Important instructions how to improve this victory, to the terror of enemies, the comfort of saints, and the excitement of all to vow to God, and to obey and revere him, ver. 7-12.


While I sing this psalm, let my soul bless the Lord, that my lot hath been always cast in a land of gospel light. Let me, with thankful heart, remember what he hath done for this church and land; and give him the praise of every deliverance. Let me never fear the rage of men; but in every danger and doubt commit my way to God, that he may bring it to pass.