Psalm 76

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:2

2. Salem The ancient name of Jerusalem, here poetically recalled. Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1. His tabernacle Such only it was when David first removed the ark to Mount Zion, (2 Samuel 6:17; and such was God’s dwelling place during David’s life. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:3

3. There brake he the arrows The adverbial particle, שׁם , ( sham,) “there,” is not to be understood of the place where the miracle of destruction was wrought, but of that whence the miraculous power emanated, namely Zion, or Salem, and should be translated thence, from thence. Thus, “His dwelling-place in Zion. Thence brake he,” etc. So the word is used, Genesis 11:8, “The Lord scattered them abroad from thence;” and Genesis 26:17, “Isaac departed thence.” It is from his... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:4

4. Mountains of prey The verse is elliptical and obscure, but literally the words would seem to mean, mountains where beasts of prey abounded and held high carnival. Song of Solomon 4:8. Others suppose the reference is to mountains whose rocky dens offered a retreat for robbers where they could bestow their plunder, and from which they issued forth. In either case the metaphor is easily deduced. The language is applicable to the haughty invaders who had spread terror throughout the nation,... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:5

5. Stout-hearted are spoiled Instead of making plunder of God’s people they themselves are become a spoil. Slept their sleep Their perpetual sleep, the sleep of death. Jeremiah 51:39-57. None… have found their hands They found not “their hands” in the sense of discovering, bringing back to light, a lost object, though the least degree of self-consciousness would have sufficed for this; nor yet in the sense to have power over, as the word may signify. 1 Samuel 23:17; Psalms 21:9.... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:6

6. The chariot and horse Cavalry and the war-chariot were the terror of ancient warfare. Dead sleep The word indicates a profounder sleep than is natural, (Daniel 8:18; Daniel 10:9,) and the language intimates that the judgment was not heralded by any alarm. Whatever physical cause was used, if any, it occasioned no disturbance of the camp. Silently, at the rebuke of Jehovah, from a deeper sleep than was natural they slept the sleep of death. See note on Psalms 46:6 read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:7

7. When once thou art angry From the moment of thy anger, or when once thine anger forms itself into a purpose. Time, with God, is nothing. He can do in an instant, as by the fiat, “Be light,” (Genesis 1:3,) as easily as in a thousand years. “He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth.” Psalms 104:32. He touched the Assyrian camp, and they slept the sleep of death. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:8

8. Judgment to be heard from heaven The case was a clear one. No delay of secondary causes. The judgment fell like a bolt from heaven. No one, not even Sennacherib, doubted it was of God. The earth feared, and was still A sublime conception of the majesty of God. “When he arose to judgment” the tumult was hushed, the din of war ceased. Silence and fear pervaded the earth, when God arose for the “meek” ones. See on Psalms 46:10.“The Babylonian Talmud hath it, that this destruction of the... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:10

10. The wrath of man shall praise thee As furnishing an occasion for the display of the divine character and attributes in delivering his people and punishing sin, and hence the increased praises of the triumphant righteous. So of Pharaoh, Exodus 9:16, and chaps, 14 and 15. Remainder of wrath A passage much tortured by interpreters. Is the wrath of man, or of God, here intended? This depends upon the signification of the word חגר , ( hhagar,) rendered restrain in the common version.... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:11

11. Vow, and pay unto the Lord As the fittest return for all his benefits. Psalms 116:12-14; Hosea 14:2. Bring presents unto him According to Asiatic custom, taxes and tribute often take the form of presents, which the governors of provinces bring to their sovereign. They are a token of submission and loyalty. Thus, those who “brought no presents to Saul,” refused to acknowledge him as their king. 1 Samuel 10:27. See Psalms 68:29; Psalms 72:10. The invasion of Sennacherib had been... read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:12

12. Cut off the spirit of princes The breath of princes, as in Job 9:18; Psalms 104:29. Or, the spirit of princes may be taken for the ambition, haughtiness, pride, of princes. “God puts an end to the defiant, arrogant bearing of the tyrants of the earth, and becomes at last the feared of all the kings of the earth.” Delitzsch. read more

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:2

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:3

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:4

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:5

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:6

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:7

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:8

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:10

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:11

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 76:12

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