1.
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .
Song. Hebrew. shir. App-65 .
of Asaph = by Asaph. The fifth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63 .Psalms 76:1 , Psalms 76:5 , Psalms 76:8 , and Psalms 76:11 are in the third person. Psalms 76:4 , Psalms 76:7 , Psalms 76:10 and are in the second person. The Structure is determined by the two Selahs; and points to the historic event, the taking of Jebus by David (2 Samuel 5:4-9 ) 960B.C.
Judah. Great emphasis on the locality. Note the three terms, Judah, Salem, Zion, and "there" (Psalms 76:3 ).
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
known = made known, or making Himself known.
Israel. Named because the taking of Jebus was in connection with David's taking of the throne of Israel.
2.
In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
Salem. The ancient Jebusite name for Jerusalem. Compare Genesis 14:18 . Hebrews 7:1 , Hebrews 7:2 .
is = is come; or is setup.
tabernacle: i.e. David's tabernacle on Zion. in Psalms 18:11 = pavilion, or dwelling. Hebrew. sukkah, not 'ohel.
Zion. This is where David's tabernacle was set up after the taking of Jebus. Compare 2 Samuel 5:6-10 ; 2Sa 5:6 ; 2 Samuel 7:1 , 2 Samuel 7:2 , &c. See App-68 . Zion had no place in history till this event.
3.
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
There. Emphatic. Hebrew. sham . Compare Genesis 2:8 . Exodus 40:3 (therein). Deuteronomy 1:39 (thither). 2 Chronicles 6:11 (in it).
brake He = hath He broken in pieces.
battle. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for other weapons used in battle.
Selah. Connecting the Jebusite defeat with God Who gave it; and passing on from the third person to the second. See App-66 . Note the emphasis on "Thou".
4.
Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
mountains of prey. The great mountain (Zion) which had become a prey: i.e. a prey seized, as in next verse; the mighty men bad become a spoil, or been plundered.
5.
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
none . . . found their hands. Idiom for helplessness. Like losing heart or finding heart (2 Samuel 7:27 ).
men. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .
6.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
God of Jacob. See note on Psalms 75:9 .
Both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "the horsemen are stunned".
cast into a dead sleep. One word in Hebrew = stunned.
7.
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
8.
Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
9.
When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
meek = the patient oppressed ones.
Selah. Connecting God ' s judgment on Jebusites, and making it a ground of praise. See App-66 .
10.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
11.
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
pay unto. Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) = "pay [thy vows] unto".
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
presents. Plural of majesty: i.e. a great or ceremonial present.
12.
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .