Psalms 76

Chapter Summary

Psalms 76 begins by describing God's judgment on the nations, emphasizing His power and glory. The psalmist notes that God's name is great in Israel and that He has His dwelling place in Jerusalem. The chapter also describes the terror of the nations when they hear of God's judgment, and how they are unable to escape His wrath. The psalmist then turns to praise God for His salvation, noting that He is the one who saves His people and defeats their enemies. The chapter concludes with a call to worship and trust in God, who is the King of the nations.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 76 is part of the third book of the Psalms, which includes Psalms 73-89. This book is often referred to as the "Psalms of Asaph," because many of the psalms in this book are attributed to Asaph, a Levite who was responsible for the music in the temple. The chapter is likely set in the context of the Babylonian exile, when the Israelites were facing judgment and were in need of salvation.

Heart Application

The chapter emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and fearing Him, and it calls believers to worship and praise Him for His power and glory. As believers, we can apply this chapter by trusting in God's sovereignty and providence, and by fearing Him and giving Him the worship and praise that He deserves.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 76 is a chapter that emphasizes God's power and glory, and it calls believers to trust in Him and fear Him. The chapter describes God's judgment on the nations and His salvation of His people, and it highlights the importance of worshiping and praising Him. As it says in Psalms 76:1, "God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel." This means that God is the one who is truly powerful and worthy of worship.

Voices from the Church

“The judgments of God are a great deep, and we cannot fathom them, but we may see the shore of them, and that is enough to make us afraid.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The power of God is not only to be seen in the creation of the world, but also in the government of it, and in the judgment which He executes upon the wicked.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction to God's Judgment (Psalms 76:1-3) — The chapter begins by describing God's judgment on the nations, emphasizing His power and glory.
2. The Terror of the Nations (Psalms 76:4-6) — The psalmist notes that the nations are terrified when they hear of God's judgment, and that they are unable to escape His wrath.
3. God's Salvation (Psalms 76:7-9) — The psalmist then turns to praise God for His salvation, noting that He is the one who saves His people and defeats their enemies.
4. Call to Worship (Psalms 76:10-12) — The chapter concludes with a call to worship and trust in God, who is the King of the nations.
5. Conclusion (Psalms 76:10-12) — The psalmist emphasizes the importance of fearing God and trusting in Him for salvation, and he calls believers to worship and praise Him for His power and glory.

Core Doctrines

The Sovereignty of God

The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and power over the nations, noting that He is the one who judges and saves.

The Importance of Fearing God

The chapter highlights the importance of fearing God, noting that this fear is the beginning of wisdom and that it is what sets believers apart from unbelievers.

The Doctrine of Salvation

The chapter emphasizes God's salvation, noting that He is the one who saves His people and defeats their enemies.

The Glory of God

The chapter emphasizes God's glory, noting that He is the one who is truly powerful and worthy of worship.

Lessons from Psalms 76

1. Trust in God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches believers to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the face of uncertainty and danger.
2. Fear God and Give Him Worship — The chapter emphasizes the importance of fearing God and giving Him the worship and praise that He deserves.
3. God's Salvation is Certain — The chapter teaches that God's salvation is certain, and that He is the one who saves His people and defeats their enemies.
4. The Importance of Worship — The chapter highlights the importance of worship, noting that it is what sets believers apart from unbelievers and that it is a key part of the Christian life.
5. God's Glory is the Ultimate Goal — The chapter emphasizes that God's glory is the ultimate goal of all things, and that believers should strive to glorify Him in all that they do.

Themes from Psalms 76

1. God's Power and Glory — The chapter emphasizes God's power and glory, noting that He is the one who judges and saves.
2. The Importance of Fearing God — The chapter highlights the importance of fearing God, noting that this fear is the beginning of wisdom and that it is what sets believers apart from unbelievers.
3. Salvation — The chapter emphasizes God's salvation, noting that He is the one who saves His people and defeats their enemies.
4. Worship — The chapter highlights the importance of worship, noting that it is what sets believers apart from unbelievers and that it is a key part of the Christian life.
5. God's Sovereignty — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty, noting that He is the one who is truly in control of all things.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the chapter teach about God's power and glory?
2. How does the chapter emphasize the importance of fearing God?
3. What does the chapter teach about God's salvation?
4. How does the chapter contrast God with idols?
5. What is the main application of the chapter for believers?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 76

	Sermon	Description
	The Wrath of Satan Shall Praise God by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. He emphasizes that when Jesus shows up, the game is over for the enemi
	The Worst Sin by William Blackburn	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of making a choice between life and death, heaven and hell. He urges the audience to come to Jesus and let Him pay for their
	3rd Sunday of Lent - Behind Closed Doors With the Father by Michael Flowers	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being in the presence of God through prayer. He encourages listeners to close the door on distractions and anxieties and si
	Praying in Times of Crises by Kevin Meador	Kevin Meador preaches on seeking God in the midst of a crisis, emphasizing the importance of realizing our helplessness, committing ourselves to seeking the Lord, focusing on God's
	Dauntless Faith by C.H. Spurgeon	C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the concept of 'Dauntless Faith' in his sermon, drawing from Acts 18:10, where God assures Paul of His protection while he carries out His work in Corinth.
	Esther, the Power of Divine Providence by Walter Beuttler	Walter Beuttler preaches on the power of God's providence as seen in the Book of Esther, where God's hand is evident despite His name not being mentioned. The sermon emphasizes how
	Manually Controlled by Miles J. Stanford	Miles J. Stanford preaches about the sovereignty of God, emphasizing that despite the world's evil and rebellion, God's rule remains absolute, bringing relief and rest to the Chris
	Exposition on Psalm 77 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches about the Psalms, interpreting the congregation as those who leap over to reach Christ Jesus, emphasizing the importance of seeking God for Himself and not j
	On Prayer, Homily 4 by St. Theophan the Recluse	St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of prayer and its connection to other virtues, comparing prayer to a perfume that requires a vessel of virtue to contain it. He h
	The God of Esther by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson explores the story of Esther, emphasizing how God orchestrates events for His glory and the deliverance of His people. He highlights Esther's courage to act in a time

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 76

Matthew Henry notes that Psalms 76 is a psalm that emphasizes God's power and glory, and that it calls believers to trust in Him and fear Him. Henry emphasizes that the chapter teaches believers to trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the face of uncertainty and danger. He also notes that the chapter highlights the importance of fearing God and giving Him the worship and praise that He deserves. As Henry writes, "The judgments of God are a great deep, and we cannot fathom them, but we may see the shore of them, and that is enough to make us afraid." Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?