Psalms 76:3

There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah. THERE. Hengstenberg translates, 'Hence,' from this place, so that they are broken in falling from it. BRAKE HE THE ARROWS OF THE BOW - literally, 'the flames' or 'the lightnings of the bow,' poetically for the glittering swift arrows, (, and , relating to the Assyrians, as here; cf. , margin) THE SHIELD, AND THE SWORD, AND THE BATTLE. "The battle," placed last, indicates that not merely was the enemy defeated, but at one stroke the whole war was put an end to. The parallel, , illustrates this. Not as some...

3._There he broke the arrows of the bow. _We have here stated the particular way in which God was known in Judah. He was known by the wonderful proofs of his power, which he exhibited in preserving the city. Under these figures is described the destruction of the enemies of the chosen people. (268) They could not otherwise have been overthrown than by being despoiled of their armor and weapons of war. It is therefore said, that _the arrows, the swords, and the shields, were broken, _yea, all the implements of war; implying that these impious enemies of the Church were deprived of the power of doing harm. The fact indeed is, that they were wounded and slain, while their weapons remained uninjured; but this metonymy, by which what befell themselves is represented as happening to their implements of war, is not improper. Some translate the word רשפים, reshaphim, points

1-6 Happy people are those who have their land filled with the knowledge of God! happy persons that have their hearts filled with that knowledge! It is the glory and happiness of a people to have God among them by his ordinances. Wherein the enemies of the church deal proudly, it will appear that God is above them. See the power of God's rebukes. With pleasure may Christians apply this to the advantages bestowed by the Redeemer....

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 of besiegers. The Romans called them _phalaricae_; and we find them mentioned by Virgil, AEn. lib. ix., ver. 705: - Sed magnum stridens contorta phalarica venit, Fulminis acta modo. On this passage _Servius_ describes the _phalarica_ as a dart or spear with a spherical leaden head to which fire was attached. Thrown by a strong hand, it killed those whom it hit, and set fire to buildings, c. It was called _phalarica_ from the tow

THERE BRAKE HE THE ARROWS OF THE BOW - That is, in Salem, or near Salem. The language is such as would be used in reference to invaders, or to armies that came up to storm the city. The occasion is unknown; but the meaning is, that God drove the invading army back, and showed his power in defending the city. The phrase “the arrows of the bow,” is literally, “the lightnings of the bow,” the word rendered “arrows” meaning properly “flame;” and then, “lightning.” The idea is, that the arrows sped from the bow with the rapidity of lightning. THE SHIELD - Used for defense in war. See Psalms 5:12; Psalms 33:20; compare the notes at Ephesians 6:16....

EXPOSITION THE present psalm consists of three stanzas—the first of three verses, terminated by the pause mark, "Selah;" the second of six verses, ended similarly, and the third (like the first) of three verses. It is a psalm of thanksgiving for some great and signal mercy, which has delivered Jerusalem, and at the same time benefited "all the afflicted of the earth" (Psalms 76:9). All the earth is therefore called upon to join with Israel in praising God, and making him an offering (Psalms 76:10). Critics of all schools (Hengstenberg, Canon Cook, Professor Alexander, Dr. Kay, Four Friends, etc.) agree in regarding the deliverance as that from Sennacherib. We must, therefore, understand the "Asaph" of the title as designating, not the individual, but the division of the Levi

THERE BRAKE HE THE ARROWS OF THE BOW.... The Targum is, "there brake he the arrows and the bows of the people that make war;'' the word רשפי, translated "arrows", signifies "sparks or coals of fire"; see Job 5:7 and is used of arrows, because they fly swiftly, as sparks do, or because of their brightness, or because fiery; so we read of "the fiery darts of Satan", Ephesians 6:16, and perhaps they may be meant here: when Christ our Lord suffered near Jerusalem, he spoiled principalities and powers, and broke their strength and might, and made peace by the blood of his cross, in which he triumphed over them; for the destroying of these instruments of war with what follow: THE SHIELD, AND THE SWORD, AND THE BATTLE, is expressive of making wars to cease, and causing peace; a

Psalms 76 Divine Government Established and Maintained _ 1. The Prince of Peace reigns (Psalms 76:1)_ 2. The day of wrath and what it brought (Psalms 76:7) We behold the Lord now in Judah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, His Name great in Israel! In Salem He has His tabernacle and in Zion His dwelling place. There, as the Prince of Peace, He broke the arrows, the shield, and sword and battle. The stouthearted were spoiled. Judgments were heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, then the meek of the earth were saved. The Lord is terrible to the kings of the earth, the final confederacy of nations. How wonderful the order of these Psalms!...

LXXVI. THE MAJESTY OF GOD IN ZION: HOMAGE OF THE NATIONS. Psalms 76:2. Salem: a poetical name for Jerusalem (Genesis 14:18 *). Psalms 76:3. lightnings of the bow (_mg.), i.e._ arrows. Psalms 76:4. Read, from the eternal mountains (LXX) or rather mountain, _i.e._ Zion. Psalms 76:7. Read, because of the strength of thine anger. Psalms 76:9. The Divine sentence is given from heaven: the earth trembles and is still, per

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"....