Great because known. I. NOTHING IS OF MORE IMPORTANCE TO MEN THAN THE KNOWLEDGE AND RIGHT ESTEEM OF GOD . 1 . We see this in regard to nations. Such knowledge raises them from the degradation of sensuality and barbarity to purity and humanity. 2 . So also in regard to individuals. Such knowledge ministers guidance for life, solace for the spirit, inspiration for righteousness. Thus important is it. II. SUCH KNOWLEDGE IS THE SPECIAL ... read more
Ways of knowing God. "In Judah is God known." This is a fitting psalm to be sung after any great national victory, any Divine deliverance. It may be associated with the victory of Jehoshaphat, or with the discomfiture of Sennacherib ( 2 Chronicles 20:28 ; Isaiah 37:36 ). If we associate it with Hezekiah's times, it should be noticed that the triumph over Sennacherib was, in a very special sense, a Divine triumph, and so an extraordinary revelation of God, through which he ought to have... read more
The triumphs of God. There can be little doubt that this psalm is one of several others whose main theme is God's deliverance of his people from Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Then, in Judah, God was known, and his Name was great in Israel. But we may fitly use the psalm as telling of those great and blessed spiritual deliverances which the soul of God's servants have often known and rejoiced in—these triumphs of God over a deadlier foe than ever any Assyrian king could be to Israel.... read more
A psalm of triumph. This is one of several psalms supposed to have been written in celebration of the sudden overthrow of Sennacherib's army in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem, and suggests the following truths— I. THAT THE CHURCH IS GOD 'S PECULIAR ABODE , WHERE THE MOST GLORIOUS REVELATIONS OF HIS POWER AND GRACE ARE SEEN . ( Psalms 76:3 .) The gospel is most emphatically the "power of God unto salvation." II. THAT GOD 'S GREATEST ... read more
In Salem; i.e. Jerusalem. "Salem" was probably a shortened form of the full and complete name, like "Peer" for "Baalpeor," "Maachah" for "Aram-Maa-chah," "El Kuds" for "Beit-el-Kuds," and the like. (So Professor Cheyne.) "Salem" is the peaceful place, the place where God's presence breathed peace and tranquillity. It is only used here and in Genesis 14:11 . Is his tabernacle; literally, his tent (comp. Psalms 15:1 ; Psalms 27:5 , Psalms 27:6 ; Psalms 61:4 ). The temple is... read more
The localization of God. "In Salem also is his covert, and his dwelling place in Zion" (comp. Jeremiah 25:38 , "He hath forsaken his covert as the lion"). The poetical figure is the likening of God to a lion—the Lion of the tribe of Judah"—who leaves his covert in Salem, and his lair in Zion, to spoil the enemy. There is now evidence that the holy city was known as Salem long before the time of Joshua, but the special Divine association with it dates from the time when David brought back... read more
There brake he the arrows of the bow . The expression "there" seems certainly to show that the deliverance celebrated took place at, or very near to, Jerusalem. This would sufficiently suit the destruction of Sennacherib's army, which certainly occurred in the neighbourhood, though not very close to the city (see 2 Kings 19:32 , 38). The word translated "arrows" ( רשׁפי ) means properly "lightnings" (comp. Psalms 78:48 ), and expresses the swift flight of the arrow, not actual "fiery... read more
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. The psalmist, in this, the main portion of his psalm, directly addresses God. "Thou, O God," he says, "art glorious," or "terrible" (comp. Psalms 76:7 , where the same word is used), "and excellent, more than the mountains of prey," or perhaps "from the mountains of spoil;" i.e. from Jerusalem, where the spoils of the Assyrians are laid up, and where thou sittest and rulest. (So Professor Cheyne and Canon Cook.) read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 76:1
In Judah is God known (comp. Psalms 9:16 ; Psalms 48:3 ). By "known" is meant "freshly made known," "revealed," as it were, "anew" by the recent wonderful deliverance. His Name is great in Israel; i.e. greatly honourcd and regarded, on account of what has happened. read more