Psalms 76

IN Judah is God known God's People do not worship an unknown God, as the Athenians did, Act. 17. 23. but one who has made himself known, not only by his Word and Ordinances, but also by the glorious Effects of his Wisdom and Power on their behalf, and against their potent and malicious Enemies., his name is great (i. e.) Famous and Renowned, and greatly to be praised and admired. in Israel.

In Salem In Ierusalem, which was antiently called Salem, Gen. 14. 18. Heb. 7. 1. also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion Largely so called, as it includes Moriah an adjoyning Hill, or another Branch of the same Hill..

There (i. e.) In Iudah; Or at, or near Ierusalem brake he the arrows Heb. the Sparks, the sparkling Arrows, bright and shining, swist and piercing, like sparks of Fire. of the bow, the shield, and the sword Both offensive and defensive Weapons, so as they could neither hurt God's People, nor save themselves from Ruin., and the battel The force and fury of the Battle, and all the Power of the Army, which was put in Battel-Array., Selah.

Thou O God: To whom he directeth his Speech here, as also v. 6, 7, 8. art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey Either, 1. Than the greatest Kings and Empires of the Earth, which in Prophetical Writings are oft Compared to Mountains, as Psal. 46. 2, 3. Isa. 41. 15. Ier. 51. 25. Hab. 3. 6. And they are called Mountains of prey; because then they generally were Established by Tyranny, and maintained by preying upon their own Subjects, or other inferior Kingdoms. Or 2. (Which amounts to the same thing) than the most powerful Enemies of thy People, upon whom they used, and now desired and expected to prey: Such Persons being oft expressed by the name of Mountains, as Psal. 144. 5.... eth. 4. 7. &c..

The stout hearted are spoiled Of all that Glory and Advantage, which they either had already gotten, or further expected from the Success of their present expedition which they promised to themselves. They became a prey to those upon whom they hoped to prey., they have slept their sleep Even a perpetual sleep, as Ier. 51. 39. 57. or the of Death, Psal. 13. 3. called their sleep Emphatically, as being pecul... ar to them, and such like Men, and not that sleep which is common to the good and bad. Their Death he seems to call Because they were slain in the Night, when they had Composed themselves to rest and sleep, and so passed insensibly from one sleep to another. For it is thought by many, that this Psalm was Composed upon the occasion of that prodigious slaughter of the Assyrians in Iudah, 2 Kings 19. 35.: and none of the men of might have found their hands They had no more strength in, or use of their hands, against the destroying Angel, than they who have no hands..

At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse The men who Rode upon, and... ought from Chariots and Horses, who fight with most Advantage, and usually have most Courage; and much more unable were their Footmen, to resist or avoid the stroke. are cast into a dead sleep.

Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may stand in thy sight To wit, to Contend with thee. Standing, is here opposed to flight or falling before the Enemy. See I... sh. 7. 12. Dan. 8. 4. when once thou art angry?

Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven Thou didst execute Judgment upon thine Enemies, by an Angel sent from Heaven, which is said to be heard: Either, because that was accompanied with terrible Thunders and Earthquakes, which was not unusual in the descent of an Angel, as Mat. 28. 2. and elsewhere: Or, because the same of it was quickly spread abroad in the Land, and in the World.; the earth feared, and was still The effect of this Terrible Judgement, was that the rest of the World were afraid to invade or disturb the Land and People of Israel, and chose rather to sit still in their own Territories..

When God arose to judgment When God, who for a season had sat still, began to bestir and show himself against his Enemies. Or, After God had risen, &c. Or, Because God did arise &c. to save all the meek of the earth To save all the godly Persons (who are oft called Meek ones, as has been noted again and again) in Israel, for whose sakes God wrought this great Deliverance, which reached to all the People of the Land., Selah.

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee The blasphemous Speeches, and furious Attempts of thine Enemies, shall serve thy Glory, and cause thy People and others, to Praise and magnifie thee, for that admirable Wisdom and Power, and Faithfulness, and Goodness, which thou shalt discover upon that occasion., the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain Thou shalt prevent and disappoint the succeeding malicious Designs of thine Enemies, who will meditate Revenge for those shameful and Terrible overthrows. Or, the r... der of wrath, thou shalt gird thy self with, (i. e.) Put it on as an Ornament, which the Girdle was; thou shalt adorn thy self with it, as a Conqueror does with the spoils of his Enemies..

Vow Vow a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving; Either, at this time, for this wonderful Deliverance: Or, hereafter in all your Future straits and Troubles, let this Experience encourage you to make such Vows to God, with Confidence of Success., and pay But when God has accepted your Vows, and given you the desired Deliverance, forget not to pay your Vows. unto the LORD your God; let all that be round about him Either, 1. All the Tribes of Israel, who have the Benefit of this Mercy. Or rather, 2. All the neighbouring Nations on every side, to whom the same of this mighty work of God shall come, I advise them for the Future, if they love themselves, to cease from all Hostilities against God, or his People, and to submit themselves to the God of Israel. bring presents unto him that ought to be feared Whom though they do not love, yet they see and feel, that they have great reason to Fear and to seek his Favour..

He shall cut off As men do their Grapes in time of Vintage, as the Hebrew Verb implies, to wit, suddenly, violently and irresistibly. This is all which they shall get by opposing him; and therefore it is their Wisdom to bring Presents to him. the spirit Either, 1. Their Courage. Or rather, 2. Their Breath and Life, as he did in the Assyrian Army. of princes, he is terrible to the Kings of the earth.