What does Psalm 76:9 mean?
ESV: when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah
NIV: when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land.
NASB: When God arose to judgment, To save all the humble of the earth. Selah
CSB: when God rose up to judge and to save all the lowly of the earth. Selah
NLT: You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Interlude
KJV: When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
NKJV: When God arose to judgment, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 76:4–10 continues a description of God's victory over the enemy. This probably speaks of the miraculous rout of Assyria which happened while Hezekiah was king (2 Kings 18—19). That victory reinforced the idea that God is glorious and to be feared. No one can withstand His wrath. When His wrath is set loose, the entire earth is awed into silence.
Chapter Summary:
The psalmist celebrates the defeat of God's enemies by declaring that the people of Israel know their Lord. The psalm refers to soldiers, horses, and weapons being entirely neutralized. God's judgment is unstoppable. The entire earth is encouraged to honor the Lord, who has the power to overcome any earthly king. This psalm shares themes with Psalms 46 and 83, which also appear to address a miraculous defeat of the Assyrians (2 Kings 18—19).
Chapter Context:
This psalm seems related to the defeat of Assyrian forces who attempted to capture Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:32–37). In that incident, God sent an angel to eliminate thousands upon thousands of enemy troops overnight; the Assyrians retreated the next morning (2 Kings 19:35–36). Psalms 46 and 83 appear to be about this as well. Because the Asaph who knew David lived centuries before this event (1 Chronicles 6:39), this psalm "of Asaph" is probably written in his style, or by a descendant with the same name. Psalms 4, 6, 54, 55, 61, and 67 also refer to the use of stringed instruments.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
Accessed 12/18/2024 1:20:07 PM
© Copyright 2002-2024 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
