> [[psalm-75|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-77|Next →]] --- # Psalm 76 ## God Defends Zion 1 For the leader; a psalm with stringed instruments. A song of Asaph. ^psalm-76-1 ### I 2 Renowned in Judah is God, ^psalm-76-2 whose name is great in Israel. 3 On Salem is God’s tent, his shelter on Zion. ^psalm-76-3 4 There the flashing arrows were shattered, ^psalm-76-4 shield, sword, and weapons of war. *Selah* ### II 5 Terrible and awesome are you, ^psalm-76-5 stronger than the ancient mountains. 6 Despoiled are the stouthearted; ^psalm-76-6 they sank into sleep; the hands of all the men of valor have failed. 7 At your roar, O God of Jacob, ^psalm-76-7 chariot and steed lay still. 8 You, terrible are you; ^psalm-76-8 who can stand before you and your great anger? 9 From the heavens you pronounced sentence; ^psalm-76-9 the earth was terrified and reduced to silence, 10 When you arose, O God, for judgment ^psalm-76-10 to save the afflicted of the land. *Selah* 11 Surely the wrath of man will give you thanks; ^psalm-76-11 the remnant of your furor will keep your feast. ### III 12 Make and keep vows to the LORD your God. ^psalm-76-12 May all around him bring gifts to the one to be feared, 13 Who checks the spirit of princes, ^psalm-76-13 who is fearful to the kings of earth. \* (Psalm 76) A song glorifying Zion, the mountain of Jerusalem where God destroyed Israel’s enemies. Zion is thus the appropriate site to celebrate the victory ([Ps 76:3] – [4]), a victory described in parallel scenes ([Ps 76:5] – [7], [8] – [11]). Israel is invited to worship its powerful patron deity ([Ps 76:12]). \* (76:3) Salem: an ancient name for Jerusalem, used here perhaps on account of its allusion to the Hebrew word for peace, *shalom*, cf. [[genesis-14|Gen 14]]:18; [Heb 7:1] – [3]. \* (76:5) Ancient mountains: conjectural translation of a difficult Hebrew phrase on the basis of [Gn 49:26]. The mountains are part of the structure of the universe ([Ps 89:12] – [13]). a. (76:2) [Heb 3:2]. b. (76:4) [Ps 46:10]; [122:6] – [9]. c. (76:6) [[2-kings-19|2 Kgs 19]]:35; [Jer 51:39]; [Na 3:18]. d. (76:8) [Dt 7:21]; [1 Sm 6:20]; [Na 1:6]; [Mal 3:2]. e. (76:12) [Nm 30:3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-75|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-77|Next →]]