Click here to read PSALM 76 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 76 is in the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. This Psalm shows the enemies of the sanctuary being destroyed.
This Psalm has the title “of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
Psalm 76 is divided into three sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.
This Psalm has the postscript “Jeduthun.” Jeduthun was one of the three principal directors (“chief Musicians”) over worship in the Temple. I Chronicles 25:1: “Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals.” Each of these three directors represented one of the sons of Aaron, the original high priest: Asaph (from Gershom), Heman (from Kohath) and Jeduthun (from Merari). Jeduthun was also called “Ethan” (I Chronicles 15:17,19). Psalms 38 and 61 also have this postscript.
Structure
(Verses 1-3) God’s victory over enemies in sanctuary: Judah, Israel, Salem, Zion
Pause
(Verses 4-9) God’s glorious judgment and victory to save the meek
Pause
(Verses 10-12) God the Lord is worthy to be respected and praised
Key Scriptures
Verses 1,2—“In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.” This shows the importance of the site for God’s dwelling. First Judah and Israel, then the city of Salem (Jerusalem) in Judah, then Mount Zion in Jerusalem .
Verse 3—“There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle.” This refers to David’s victory over the Jebusites. I Chronicles 11:5: “And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.”
Verse 9—“to save all the meek of the earth.” God promises great earthly reward to those who are meek to Him. Psalms 37:11 says that “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
Isaiah 11:1-4 specifically refers to the Messiah who is “a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch.” Verse 4 prophesied of Jesus Christ: “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” Jesus Christ slew the wickedness of the Devil with God’s Word and power (Acts 10:38). He will fulfill Isaiah’s prophesy to the full someday. II Thessalonians 2:8: “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” The meek of the earth, who make righteous judgments, will be safe in that day. Zephaniah 2:3 says to “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
Verse 11—“unto him that ought to be feared.” God is to be honored and respected. And so is His Son, Jesus Christ. John 5:23: “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
