PSALM LXXVI _The true God known in Judah, Israel, Salem, and Zion_, 1, 2. _A description of his defeat of the enemies of his people_, 3-6. _How God us to be worshipped_, 7-9. _He should be considered as the chief Ruler: all the potentates_ _of the earth are subject to him_, 10-12. NOTES ON PSA... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:2. _IN SALEM ALSO IS HIS TABERNACLE_] _Salem_ was the ancient name of _Jebus_, afterward called _Jerusalem_. Here was the _tabernacle_ set up; but afterwards, when the _temple_ was built on _Mount Zion_, there was his _habitation_. The Psalm was evidently composed after the building... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:3. _THERE BRAKE HE THE ARROWS OF THE BOW_] רשפי _rishphey_, the _fiery arrows_. Arrows, round the heads of which inflammable matter was rolled, and then ignited, were used by the ancients, and shot into towns to set them on fire; and were discharged among the towers and wooden works... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:4. _THAN THE MOUNTAINS OF PREY._] This is an address to Mount _Zion_. Thou art more illustrious and excellent than all the mountains of prey, i.e., where wild beasts wander, and prey on those that are more helpless than themselves. Zion was the place where GOD _dwelt_; the other moun... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:5. _THE STOUT-HEARTED ARE SPOILED_] The boasting blasphemers, such as Rab-shakeh, and his master Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. _THEY HAVE SLEPT THEIR SLEEP_] They were asleep in their tent when the destroying angel, the suffocating wind, destroyed the whole; they over whom it pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:6. _AT THY REBUKE_] It was not by any human means that this immense army was overthrown; it was by the power of God alone. Not only _infantry_ was destroyed, but the _cavalry_ also. _THE CHARIOT AND HORSE_] That is, the chariot horses, as well as the men, were _CAST INTO A DEAD SLE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:7. _THOU_, EVEN _THOU_, ART TO BE _FEARED_] The Hebrew is simple, but very emphatic: אתה נורא אתה _attah nora attah_, "Thou art terrible; thou art." The repetition of the _pronoun_ deepens the sense. _WHEN ONCE THOU ART ANGRY?_] Literally, _From the time thou art_ _angry_. In the mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:8. _THOU DIDST CAUSE JUDGMENT TO BE HEARD_] When God declared by his prophet that the enemy should not prevail, but on the contrary be destroyed, _the earth _- the _land_, and by _metonymy_ the _inhabitants_ of the land, were struck with astonishment and terror, so as not to be able... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:9. _THE MEEK OF THE EARTH._] The _humbled_ or _oppressed people_ _of the land_. The poor Jews, now utterly helpless, and calling upon the Lord for succour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:10. _SURELY THE WRATH OF MAN SHALL PRAISE THEE_] The rage of Sennacherib shall only serve to manifest thy glory. The stronger he is, and the more he threatens, and the weaker thy people, the more shall thy majesty and mercy appear in his destruction and their support. _THE REMAINDE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:11. _VOW, AND PAY UNTO THE LORD_] _Bind_ yourselves to him, and forget not your _obligations_. _LET ALL THAT BE ROUND ABOUT HIM_] All the neighbouring nations, who shall see God's judgments against his enemies, should _BRING PRESENTS UNTO HIM_] Give him that homage which is due unt... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 76:12. _HE SHALL CUT OFF THE SPIRIT OF PRINCES_] Even in the midst of their conquests, he can fill them with terror and dismay, or cut them off in their career of victory. He is _TERRIBLE TO THE KINGS OF THE EARTH._] "He is the only Ruler of princes;" to him they must account. And a te... [ Continue Reading ]