Psalms

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Psalm 76

1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of Asaph, a song. God has revealed himself in Judah; in Israel his reputation is great. 2 He lives in Salem; he dwells in Zion. 3 There he shattered the arrows, the shield, the sword, and the rest of the weapons of war.⁠ (Selah) 4 You shine brightly and reveal your majesty, as you descend from the hills where you killed your prey. 5 The bravehearted were plundered; they “fell asleep.” All the warriors were helpless. 6 At the sound of your battle cry, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse “fell asleep.” 7 You are awesome! Yes, you! Who can withstand your intense anger? 8 From heaven you announced what their punishment would be. The earth was afraid and silent 9 when God arose to execute judgment, and to deliver all the oppressed of the earth. (Selah) 10 Certainly your angry judgment upon men will bring you praise; you reveal your anger in full measure. 11 Make vows to the Lord your God and repay them. Let all those who surround him bring tribute to the awesome one. 12 He humbles princes; the kings of the earth regard him as awesome.

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 46:9 and Psalm 76:3

Hebrew Bible

Summary

Psalm 46 and Psalm 76 echo an ancient Near Eastern image of a divine warrior who ends war and breaks his enemies' weapons. Both present God ruling from the Jerusalem temple, connecting temple and royal traditions with divine conflict.

Passages

Psalm 46:9

Hebrew Bible

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Selah) 8 Come, Witness the exploits of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth. 9 He brings an end to wars throughout the earth. He shatters the bow and breaks the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our stronghold! (Selah)

600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

Psalm 76:3

Hebrew Bible

600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

References

"... The Deuteronomistic Name tradition could indeed be reacting (in accord with the second tenet) against the conceptual matrix of Zion-Sabaoth traditions and yet not necessarily because of the “catastrophe of exile”. According to Mettinger, the Zion-Sabaoth tradition emphasized two key aspects: Yahweh Sabaoth is depicted as king (e.g., Psalm 24:7–10), and Yahweh is invisibly enthroned on the cherubim in the Jerusalem Temple (Psalm 46:5–9; Psalm 76:3; Jeremiah 8:19). This results in a dual conception of divinity. This portrayal of Yahweh, according to Mettinger, “is simultaneously both aniconic (i.e., without icon) and anthropomorphic ... No divine image reposes on the cherubim throne [and yet] God reigns there invisibly like a king in his palace.” The Deuteronomistic Name Theology could be emphasizing the second aspect (Yahweh’s presence in the Jerusalem Temple) yet without the anthropomorphic problem that is inherent with the notion of a king sitting on throne. While the Name Theology might be termed “mysterious”, it is not overly so. By choosing Yahweh’s Name to depict his essence and active, abiding presence, the Deuteronomistic tradition is simply choosing one abstract expression over other abstract ideas ..."

Theodore J. Lewis, The Origin and Character of God: Ancient Israelite Religion through the Lens of Divinity (New York: Oxford University Press, 2020), 386.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Psalms150 psalms

Compare Psalm 46:9 and Psalm 76:3

Summary

Passages

Psalm 46:9

Psalm 76:3

References

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