Psalm 76

Last updated
This article is about Psalm 76 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 76 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 77 .
Psalm 76
"In Judah is God known; His name is great in Israel"
Parma Psalter 105a.l.jpg
Folio 105a - Psalm 76. The Parma Psalters from about 1280 AD (Ms. Parm. 1870; Cod. De Rossi 510; Palatina Library) now in Parma, Italy.
Other name"Notus in Judaea"
Textby Asaph
LanguageHebrew (original)

Psalm 76 is the 76th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "In Judah is God known; His name is great in Israel". The Book of Psalms forms part of the Ketuvim section of the Hebrew Bible and part of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 75. In Latin, it is known as "Notus in Judaea". [1] It is one of the psalms of Asaph. It refers to the "Majesty of God in Judgment". [2] The Jerusalem Bible regards it as an "ode to God the awe-inspiring". [3]

Contents

This psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies. It has been set to music, including in works in German by Heinrich Schütz, and in Latin by Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Jean-Baptiste Lully.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text [4] [5] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

VerseHebrewEnglish translation (JPS 1917)
1לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ בִּנְגִינֹ֑ת מִזְמ֖וֹר לְאָסָ֣ף שִֽׁיר׃‎For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm of Asaph, a Song.
2נוֹדָ֣ע בִּיהוּדָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים בְּ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל גָּד֥וֹל שְׁמֽוֹ׃‎In Judah is God known; His name is great in Israel.
3וַיְהִ֣י בְשָׁלֵ֣ם סוּכּ֑וֹ וּמְע֖וֹנָת֣וֹ בְצִיּֽוֹן׃‎In Salem also is set His tabernacle, And His dwelling-place in Zion.
4שָׁ֭מָּה שִׁבַּ֣ר רִשְׁפֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת מָגֵ֬ן וְחֶ֖רֶב וּמִלְחָמָ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃‎There He broke the fiery shafts of the bow; The shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah
5נָ֭אוֹר אַתָּ֥ה אַדִּ֗יר מֵֽהַרְרֵי־טָֽרֶף׃‎Glorious art Thou and excellent, coming down from the mountains of prey.
6אֶשְׁתּֽוֹלְל֨וּ ׀ אַבִּ֣ירֵי לֵ֭ב נָמ֣וּ שְׁנָתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־מָצְא֖וּ כׇל־אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֣יִל יְדֵיהֶֽם׃‎The stout-hearted are bereft of sense, they sleep their sleep; And none of the men of might have found their hands.
7מִ֭גַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב נִ֝רְדָּ֗ם וְרֶ֣כֶב וָסֽוּס׃‎At Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, They are cast into a dead sleep, the riders also and the horses.
8אַתָּ֤ה ׀ נ֥וֹרָא אַ֗תָּה וּמִֽי־יַעֲמֹ֥ד לְפָנֶ֗יךָ מֵאָ֥ז אַפֶּֽךָ׃‎Thou, even Thou, art terrible; And who may stand in Thy sight when once Thou art angry?
9מִ֭שָּׁמַיִם הִשְׁמַ֣עְתָּ דִּ֑ין אֶ֖רֶץ יָֽרְאָ֣ה וְשָׁקָֽטָה׃‎Thou didst cause sentence to be heard from heaven; The earth feared, and was still,
10בְּקוּם־לַמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט אֱלֹהִ֑ים לְהוֹשִׁ֖יעַ כׇּל־עַנְוֵי־אֶ֣רֶץ סֶֽלָה׃‎When God arose to judgment, To save all the humble of the earth. Selah
11כִּֽי־חֲמַ֣ת אָדָ֣ם תּוֹדֶ֑ךָּ שְׁאֵרִ֖ית חֵמֹ֣ת תַּחְגֹּֽר׃‎Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee; The residue of wrath shalt Thou gird upon Thee.
12נִ֥דְר֣וּ וְשַׁלְּמוּ֮ לַיהֹוָ֢ה אֱֽלֹהֵ֫יכֶ֥ם כׇּל־סְבִיבָ֑יו יֹבִ֥ילוּ שַׁ֝֗י לַמּוֹרָֽא׃‎Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God; Let all that are round about Him bring presents unto Him that is to be feared;
13יִ֭בְצֹר ר֣וּחַ נְגִידִ֑ים נ֝וֹרָ֗א לְמַלְכֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃‎He minisheth the spirit of princes; He is terrible to the kings of the earth.

King James Version

The following is the full English text of the Psalm from the King James Bible.

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph.
  1. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
  2. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
  3. There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
  4. Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
  5. The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
  6. At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
  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.
  10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
  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.
  12. He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

Verse numbering

In the Hebrew Bible, Psalm 76:1 comprises the designation

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. (KJV)

From then on verses 2–13 in the Hebrew text correspond to verses 1–12 in English versions.

Commentary

This psalm shares some similarities with Psalms 46 and 48, and has been interpreted as: [6]

  1. a celebration of Israelite victory over their enemies
  2. a part of the New Year Festival in Jerusalem
  3. a prophecy of God's future victory,
  4. a post-exilic praise.

The division of the text (e.g., in the New Revised Standard Version) is usually:

  1. verses 1–3: praise God who chose Zion as his dwelling and defended his city
  2. verses 4–6: describe God's victory
  3. verses 7–9: portray 'a judge who saves the humble'
  4. verses 10–12: declare that all human beings will worship YHWH and tell them to perform their vows. [6]

According to Gordon Churchyard in the EasyEnglish Translation of the Psalms, this psalm explains that Judah and Israel are both names for God's chosen people. [7] The Jerusalem Bible suggests that the psalm "apparently refers to the defeat of Sennacherib in 701 BC at the gates of Jerusalem": [8] see also Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.

The Sela in verses 3 and 9 provides a 'threefold structure' with the middle section focusing on the 'description of God'. [6]

Uses

Judaism

This psalm is recited on the first day of Sukkot. [9]

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer , this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the fifteenth day of the month. [10]

Musical settings

Heinrich Schütz set Psalm 76 in a metred version in German, "In Juda ist der Herr bekannt", SWV 173, as part of the Becker Psalter , first published in 1628.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier set :

Jean-Baptiste Lully set it as a motet, Notus in Judea Deus, LWV 77.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 82</span>

Psalm 82 is the 82nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 81. In Latin, it is known as "Deus stetit in synagoga deorum". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New King James Version describes it as "a plea for justice"; Alexander Kirkpatrick sees it as "a vision of God as the Judge of judges".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 74</span>

Psalm 74 is the 74th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever?". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 73. In Latin, it is known as "Ut quid Deus reppulisti in finem iratus". Subheaded a maschil or contemplation, and a community lament, it expresses the pleas of the Jewish community in the Babylonian captivity. It is attributed to Asaph.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 83</span> Biblical Psalm

Psalm 83 is the 83rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Keep not thou silence, O God". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 82. In Latin, it is known as "Deus quis similis erit tibi ne taceas". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. This psalm is the last of the Psalms of Asaph, which include Psalms 50 and 73 to 83. It is also the last of the "Elohist" collection, Psalms 42–83, in which the one of God's titles, Elohim, is mainly used. It is generally seen as a national lament provoked by the threat of an invasion of Israel by its neighbors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 10</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 10 is the tenth psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?" In the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, it is not an individual psalm but the second part of psalm 9, "Ut quid Domine recessisti". These two consecutive psalms have the form of a single acrostic Hebrew poem. Compared to Psalm 9, Psalm 10 is focused more on the individual than the collective human condition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 21</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 21 is the 21st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The king shall joy in thy strength". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 20. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Domine in virtute tua". The psalm is attributed to David.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 32</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 32 is the 32nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 31. In Latin, it is known by the incipit, "Beati quorum". The psalmist expresses the joy of being released from great suffering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 140</span> 140th psalm of the biblical Book of Psalms

Psalm 140 is the 140th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible, and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 139. In Latin, it is known as "Eripe me Domine ab homine malo". It is part of the final Davidic collection of psalms, comprising Psalms 138 to 145, which are specifically attributed to David in their opening verses. It describes putting one's trust in God while threatened with evil. The New King James Version entitles it a "Prayer for Deliverance from Evil Men".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 48</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 48 is the 48th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and generally in its Latin translations, this psalm is Psalm 47. In the Vulgate, it begins "Magnus Dominus". The psalm was composed by the sons of Korah, as "a celebration of the security of Zion", In its heading it is referred to as both a "song" and a "psalm".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 50</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 50, a Psalm of Asaph, is the 50th psalm from the Book of Psalms in the Bible, beginning in English in the King James Version: "The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof." In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 49. The opening words in Latin are Deus deorum, Dominus, locutus est / et vocavit terram a solis ortu usque ad occasum. The psalm is a prophetic imagining of God's judgment on the Israelites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 54</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 54 is the 54th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 53. In Latin, it is known as "Deus in nomine tuo salvum me fac", Attributed to David, it was written for one who finds oneself betrayed by a friend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 56</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 56 is the 56th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up". In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 55. In Latin, it is known as "Miserere mei Deus quoniam conculcavit me homo". The psalm is the first of a series of five psalms in this part of the book which are referred to as Miktams. It is attributed to King David and may be considered representative of him or anyone else hiding from an enemy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 59</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 59 is the 59th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me". In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 56. In Latin, it is known as "Eripe me de inimicis meis Deu". It is described as "a prayer composed when Saul sent messengers to wait at the house in order to kill him", and commentator Cyril Rodd describes it as a "vigorous plea for the destruction of the psalmist's enemies".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 62</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 62 is the 62nd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation". The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 61. In Latin, it is known as "Nonne Deo subiecta erit anima mea". The psalm offers a warning not to let one's power erode one's trust in God.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 68</span>

Psalm 68 or Psalm 67 in Septuagint and Vulgate numbering is "the most difficult and obscure of all the psalms." In the English of the King James Version it begins "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered". In the Latin Vulgate version it begins "Exsurgat Deus et dissipentur inimici eius". It has 35 verses. Methodist writer Arno C. Gaebelein calls it "The Great Redemption Accomplished" and describes it as "one of the greatest Psalms".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 73</span>

Psalm 73 is the 73rd psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Truly God is good to Israel". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 72. In Latin, it is known as "Quam bonus Israhel Deus his qui recto sunt corde". Psalm 73 is the opening psalm of Book 3 of the Book of Psalms and the second of the "Psalms of Asaph". It has been categorized as one of the Wisdom Psalms", but some writers are hesitant about using this description because of its "strongly personal tone" and the references in the psalm to the temple. The psalm reflects on "the Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 77</span> 77th psalm in the Book of Psalms

Psalm 77 is the 77th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 76. In Latin, it is known as "Voce mea ad Dominum clamavi".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 79</span>

Psalm 79 is the 79th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 78. In Latin, it is known as "Deus venerunt gentes in hereditatem tuam". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New American Bible calls it "a prayer for Jerusalem".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 80</span> 80th psalm in the biblical Book of Psalms

Psalm 80 is the 80th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 79. In Latin, it is known as "Qui regis Israel intende". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. The New American Bible calls it "a prayer for Jerusalem". The Jerusalem Bible describes it as "a prayer for the restoration of Israel".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 81</span>

Psalm 81 is the 81st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Sing aloud unto God our strength". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 80. In Latin, it is known as "Exultate deo adiutori nostro". It is one of the 12 Psalms of Asaph. Its themes relate to celebration and repentance. In the New King James Version its sub-title is "An Appeal for Israel's Repentance".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psalm 61</span> Biblical psalm

Psalm 61 is the 61st psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.". In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the Bible and the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 60. In Latin, it is known as "Exaudi Deus". The psalm is to be played on a neginah or stringed instrument. The Psalm is attributed to King David. The Jerusalem Bible calls it a "prayer of an exile".

References

  1. ↑ Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 75 (76) medievalist.net
  2. ↑ Sub-title in the New King James Version at Psalm 76
  3. ↑ Jerusalem Bible (1966), sub-title to Psalm 76
  4. ↑ "Psalms – Chapter 76". Mechon Mamre.
  5. ↑ "Psalms 76 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
  6. 1 2 3 Rodd, C. S. (2007). "18. Psalms". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 388. ISBN   978-0199277186 . Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  7. ↑ Churchyard, G., The Story of Psalm 76, Wycliffe Associates, published January 2002, accessed 1 March 2022
  8. ↑ Jerusalem Bible, footnote a at Psalm 76
  9. ↑ The Artscroll Tehillim, page 329
  10. ↑ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 252-253
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.