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God’s Name Is Great in Israel
Psalm 76 is a song that praises God’s greatness in Israel and his power over war. It speaks in vivid poetry about God’s dwelling, his judgment, and the fitting response of honour and reverence.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this passage, God is known in Judah and his name is great in Israel. The psalm places his tabernacle in Salem and his dwelling in Zion, then celebrates how he stops weapons, judges from heaven, saves afflicted people, and is feared by rulers.
Psalms 76:1–12Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that God is great, judges with authority, and deserves reverent honour from his people and from rulers of the earth.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God is known where he dwellsThe psalm begins by saying God is known in Judah and that his name is great in Israel. It also names Salem and Zion as the place of his tabernacle and dwelling.
Explanation
The psalm begins by saying God is known in Judah and that his name is great in Israel. It also names Salem and Zion as the place of his tabernacle and dwelling. The focus is not on people making God important, but on God’s own greatness and presence among his people.
02God breaks the power of warThe song then says that there God broke arrows, shield, sword, and weapons of war. God is described as glorious and excellent.
Explanation
The song then says that there God broke arrows, shield, sword, and weapons of war. God is described as glorious and excellent. Even strong warriors cannot resist him. The image of men unable to lift their hands and of chariot and horse falling into deep sleep shows complete defeat under God’s rebuke.
03God’s judgment brings fear and rescueThe psalm turns to God’s judgment from heaven. When he arises to judge, the earth fears and becomes silent.
Explanation
The psalm turns to God’s judgment from heaven. When he arises to judge, the earth fears and becomes silent. Yet this judgment is not described only as terror. It is also for salvation, because God rises to save the afflicted ones of the earth. His authority brings both awe and help.
04People and rulers should honour himThe final verses say that human wrath ends up praising God, while survivors of his wrath are restrained.
Explanation
The final verses say that human wrath ends up praising God, while survivors of his wrath are restrained. Because of this, people are told to make vows to Yahweh and fulfil them, and neighbours are to bring presents to him. Even princes and kings are not above him, because he is feared throughout the earth.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What places are named at the start of the psalm, and what do they show about God?
Notice the names Judah, Israel, Salem, and Zion, and connect them with the statements that God is known there and dwells there.
02How does the psalm describe God’s power over weapons and warriors?
Look for the specific battle images such as arrows, shield, sword, chariot, horse, and the warriors who cannot lift their hands.
03According to the psalm, why should people fulfil vows and bring presents to God?
Read the closing verses and connect the command with the repeated truth that God is to be feared by princes and kings.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 76:1–12
1In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.
2His tabernacle is also in Salem. His dwelling place in Zion.
3There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.
4Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game.
5Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands.
6At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
7You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?
8You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent,
9when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah.
10Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.
12He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.