Psa 76:3 | KingComments | STEP | This psalm is about God breaking the power of the enemy. It is about the breaking of the power of Assyria or the king of the North, by the appearance of the LORD, that is the Lord Jesus. The presence of the Lord Jesus in the city of the great King ( ) is the response of God to the power of the enemy. From that time on Jerusalem is given the name Yahweh Shammah , which means ‘the LORD is there’ ( ). To what historical event the psalm refers is not given. The defeat of the Assyrians does give an impression of what is represented in the psalm ( ; ). This impression is supported by the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In the title of this psalm, the Septuagint mentions “on the Assyrians”. In any case, God will rescue His people in the future from the encirclement of hostile nations by breaking the power of those nations. For “for the choir director” ( ) see at Psalm 4:1. For “on stringed instruments” see at Psalm 4:1. For “a Psalm of Asaph” see at Psalm 50:1. This psalm is also “a Song”, meaning it is a song of praise. By the extermination of the enemies of His people – that is, Judah, the two tribes, and Israel, the ten tribes, that is, all twelve tribes (cf. ) – God has made Himself known “in Judah” ( ). Now He is not known there yet, He is not known, but rejected. This will change as soon as the Son of God, the Messiah, returns to Judah. By His action in judgment against the heathen kings, “His Name is great in Israel”. He is coming for all Israel, which will consist of the righteous ( ), for the apostates have been judged by Him. It is the day of His power, the day when His people will be a willing people ( ). “In Salem”, that is in Jerusalem ( ; ), is “His tabernacle” [literally: shelter] ( ). Calling Jerusalem by its shortened name emphasizes its meaning. Salem means ‘peace’. He makes sure that His people can dwell in peace. The name Salem emphasizes that Christ is now truly King of peace ( ). Now that the Prince of peace reigns, there is truly peace on earth. And He dwells with His people in “His tabernacle”, or His shelter, indicating that He protects them with His presence (cf. ). The psalmist adds that “His dwelling place”, that is, His temple, is “in Zion”. Zion is the part of Jerusalem where God’s dwelling place stands. The relationship with the people of Israel is now restored. Jerusalem is now called Yahweh Shammah , which means ‘the LORD is there’ ( ) and the temple has been rebuilt. The realm of peace can begin. There, at Jerusalem, where He dwells, He has broken “the flaming arrows” ). He has also rendered useless the other weapons of attack, “the shield” and “the sword”. God has deprived the enemy of his effectiveness. Thus He has put an end to “war”. The ending of the war is not due to skillful defending by the defenders of the city, but due to God’s action. The LORD is back in Jerusalem, the war is over ( ). As a result, the long-despised LORD is now “resplendent, more majestic than the mountains of prey” ( ). ‘The mountains of prey’ – mountains represent mighty kingdoms – are a symbol of mighty rulers bent on robbery (cf. ). ‘Mountains of prey’ is difficult to translate. We can think of powerful rulers, such as the king of the North. We can also think of the rapacious Assyrians who were killed by the angel of the LORD on the mountains around Jerusalem. Opposite the mountains of prey, Mount Zion radiates light by which it shines. This radiance of light is the result of the presence of God Who is light. God dwells there. That is why this mountain is more powerful than all earthly predatory powers. We can also think of the great mountain that will fill the whole earth ( ), a kingdom that will not perish in eternity ( ).

‏ Psalms 76:3

Introduction

This psalm is about God breaking the power of the enemy. It is about the breaking of the power of Assyria or the king of the North, by the appearance of the LORD, that is the Lord Jesus. The presence of the Lord Jesus in the city of the great King (Mt 5:35) is the response of God to the power of the enemy. From that time on Jerusalem is given the name Yahweh Shammah, which means ‘the LORD is there’ (Eze 48:35).

To what historical event the psalm refers is not given. The defeat of the Assyrians does give an impression of what is represented in the psalm (2Kgs 19:32-35; Isa 37:36). This impression is supported by the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In the title of this psalm, the Septuagint mentions “on the Assyrians”. In any case, God will rescue His people in the future from the encirclement of hostile nations by breaking the power of those nations.

God Is Known in Judah

For “for the choir director” (Psa 76:1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

For “on stringed instruments” see at Psalm 4:1.

For “a Psalm of Asaph” see at Psalm 50:1.

This psalm is also “a Song”, meaning it is a song of praise.

By the extermination of the enemies of His people – that is, Judah, the two tribes, and Israel, the ten tribes, that is, all twelve tribes (cf. Eze 37:15-16) – God has made Himself known “in Judah” (Psa 76:1b). Now He is not known there yet, He is not known, but rejected. This will change as soon as the Son of God, the Messiah, returns to Judah.

By His action in judgment against the heathen kings, “His Name is great in Israel”. He is coming for all Israel, which will consist of the righteous (Isa 60:21), for the apostates have been judged by Him. It is the day of His power, the day when His people will be a willing people (Psa 110:3).

“In Salem”, that is in Jerusalem (Gen 14:18; Heb 7:1-2), is “His tabernacle” [literally: shelter] (Psa 76:2). Calling Jerusalem by its shortened name emphasizes its meaning. Salem means ‘peace’. He makes sure that His people can dwell in peace. The name Salem emphasizes that Christ is now truly King of peace (Heb 7:2). Now that the Prince of peace reigns, there is truly peace on earth.

And He dwells with His people in “His tabernacle”, or His shelter, indicating that He protects them with His presence (cf. Psa 27:5). The psalmist adds that “His dwelling place”, that is, His temple, is “in Zion”. Zion is the part of Jerusalem where God’s dwelling place stands. The relationship with the people of Israel is now restored. Jerusalem is now called Yahweh Shammah, which means ‘the LORD is there’ (Eze 48:35) and the temple has been rebuilt. The realm of peace can begin.

There, at Jerusalem, where He dwells, He has broken “the flaming arrows” Psa 76:3). He has also rendered useless the other weapons of attack, “the shield” and “the sword”. God has deprived the enemy of his effectiveness. Thus He has put an end to “war”. The ending of the war is not due to skillful defending by the defenders of the city, but due to God’s action. The LORD is back in Jerusalem, the war is over (Isa 2:4b).

As a result, the long-despised LORD is now “resplendent, more majestic than the mountains of prey” (Psa 76:4). ‘The mountains of prey’ – mountains represent mighty kingdoms – are a symbol of mighty rulers bent on robbery (cf. Eze 38:12-13). ‘Mountains of prey’ is difficult to translate. We can think of powerful rulers, such as the king of the North. We can also think of the rapacious Assyrians who were killed by the angel of the LORD on the mountains around Jerusalem.

Opposite the mountains of prey, Mount Zion radiates light by which it shines. This radiance of light is the result of the presence of God Who is light. God dwells there. That is why this mountain is more powerful than all earthly predatory powers. We can also think of the great mountain that will fill the whole earth (Dan 2:35), a kingdom that will not perish in eternity (Dan 2:44).