[2] In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
Salem — In Jerusalem, which was anciently called Salem.
Zion — Largely so called, as it includes Moriah, an adjoining hill.
Verse 3
[3] There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. /*Selah*/.
There — At Jerusalem.
Sword — Both offensive and defensive weapons.
Battle — All the power of the army, which was put in battle-array.
Verse 4
[4] Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
Thou — O God.
Than — The greatest kings and empires of the earth, which in prophetic writings are often compared to mountains. And they are called mountains of prey, because they generally were established by tyranny, and maintained by preying upon their own subjects, or other kingdoms.
Verse 5
[5] The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
Sleep — Even a perpetual sleep.
Verse 6
[6] At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Chariot — The men who rode upon, and fought from chariots and horses.
Verse 8
[8] Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
Thou — Didst execute judgment upon thine enemies, by an angel from heaven: which is said to be heard, either because it was accompanied with thunders and earthquakes, or because the fame of it was quickly spread abroad.
Feared — The rest of the world were afraid to disturb Israel.
Verse 10
[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Surely — The furious attempts of thine enemies, shall cause thy people and others to praise thee for thy admirable wisdom, power, and faithfulness.
Verse 11
[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.
Vow — A sacrifice of thanksgiving for this wonderful deliverance.
Let all — All the neighboring nations submit to the God of Israel.
Verse 12
[12] He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Cut off — As men do their grapes in time of vintage; so the Hebrew verb implies.
The spirit — Their breath and life, as he did in the Assyrian army.
Psalm 76 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 2
[2] In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
Salem — In Jerusalem, which was anciently called Salem.
Zion — Largely so called, as it includes Moriah, an adjoining hill.
Verse 3
[3] There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. /*Selah*/.
There — At Jerusalem.
Sword — Both offensive and defensive weapons.
Battle — All the power of the army, which was put in battle-array.
Verse 4
[4] Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
Thou — O God.
Than — The greatest kings and empires of the earth, which in prophetic writings are often compared to mountains. And they are called mountains of prey, because they generally were established by tyranny, and maintained by preying upon their own subjects, or other kingdoms.
Verse 5
[5] The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
Sleep — Even a perpetual sleep.
Verse 6
[6] At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Chariot — The men who rode upon, and fought from chariots and horses.
Verse 8
[8] Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
Thou — Didst execute judgment upon thine enemies, by an angel from heaven: which is said to be heard, either because it was accompanied with thunders and earthquakes, or because the fame of it was quickly spread abroad.
Feared — The rest of the world were afraid to disturb Israel.
Verse 10
[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
Surely — The furious attempts of thine enemies, shall cause thy people and others to praise thee for thy admirable wisdom, power, and faithfulness.
Verse 11
[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.
Vow — A sacrifice of thanksgiving for this wonderful deliverance.
Let all — All the neighboring nations submit to the God of Israel.
Verse 12
[12] He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
Cut off — As men do their grapes in time of vintage; so the Hebrew verb implies.
The spirit — Their breath and life, as he did in the Assyrian army.