Psalms 76:4

Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. -The Lord is mightier than all the mighty conquerors of the earth; because he has caused the stout-hearted to sleep in death, and so has stilled the agitation of the earth. Verse 4. THOU ART MORE GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT THAN THE MOUNTAINS OF PREY - i:e., than the great plundering world-kingdoms. Compare Psalms 46:2; Nahum 2:11, Nineveh, "the dwelling of the lions, etc.;" Nahum 3:1. So in Psalms 68:16, the world-kingdoms are compared to towering "hills" ...

It is farther added, (verse 4th,) that _God is more glorious and terrible than the mountains of prey _By _the mountains of prey, _is meant kingdoms distinguished for their violence and extortion. We know that from the beginning, he who exercised himself most in robbery and pillage, was the man who most enlarged his borders and became greatest. The Psalmist, therefore, here compares those great kings, who had acquired large dominions by violence and the shedding of human blood, to savage beasts, who live only upon prey, and their kingdoms to mountains covered with forests, which are inhabited by beasts inured to live by the destruction of other animals. The enemies of God’s ancient people had been accustomed to make violent and furious assaults upon Jerusalem; but it is affirmed that God greatly surpassed them all in power that the faithful might not be overwhelmed with terror....

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 76:4. _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 mountains were the _abode of wild_ _beasts_....

THOU ART MORE GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT - The word rendered glorious - נאור _na'ôr_ - is from the verb which means “to shine,” to give light, and the word would properly refer to a luminous or “shining” object - as the sun, the source of light. Hence, it means “shining,” splendid, glorious; and it is thus applied to the Divine Being with reference to his perfections, being like light. Compare 1 John 1:5. The word rendered “excellent,” means exalted, noble, great. These words are applied here to God from the manifestation of his perfections in the case referred to. THAN THE MOUNTAINS OF PREY - The word “prey” as employed here - טרף _ṭereph_ - means that which is obtained by hunting; and then, plunder. It is usually applied to the food of wild beasts, beasts of

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

THOU ART MORE GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT THAN THE MOUNTAINS OF PREY. Which is to be understood not of Zion, as some interpret it; though it is true that the mountain of Zion, or the church of Christ, his kingdom and interest, shall in the latter day be more glorious and excellent than all other mountains, kingdoms, and interests; see Isaiah 2:2, but of God or Christ before spoken of; and so the Targum, "bright, to be feared, art thou, O God, to be praised from the house of thy sanctuary.'' Christ, who is God over all, is "bright" z, splendid, and glorious, in his divine nature, being the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person: and "excellent" in his office as Mediator, and in all his works as such; and in human nature, at he is exalted at his Father's right hand, far above all principality, power, might, and dominion, signified here by "mountain

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

MOUNTAINS OF PREY. The great mountain (Zion) which had become. prey: i.e.. prey seized, as in next verse; the mighty men bad become. spoil, or been plundered....