Psalms 76
DOYLYVer. 2. When I shall receive &c.] The first verse is spoken by many persons; here the speaker is one, and that one is plainly a ruler, who promises that when he shall have “received the congregation,” or, as some render it, “when he shall have gotten an appointed, or fit time, or season,” that is, when he shall be established in power and authority, at a fit time and place, he will “judge uprightly, and introduce a thorough reformation into the kingdom.” Bp. Horne.
Psalms 76:3
- The earth and all &c.] In this verse seem to be the words of God in answer, that “Now the time was come for Him to do justice, and therefore the earth melted before Him:” this it might well do, as “He had first set up the pillars of it:” it stood firm only by his order, and therefore must be dissolved when He pleased. Mudge, Dr. Kennicott.
Psalms 76:4
- — Lift not up the horn: ] Behave not yourselves so insolently. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 76:5
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Lift not up &c.] For illustrations of this expression, see the note at 1 Sam. ii. 1. To which may be added, with a view to the particular phrase here employed, that “the crooked manner in which the Abyssinians hold the neck, when this ornament is on their forehead, for fear it should fall forward, seems to agree with what the Psalmist calls ‘speaking with a stiff neck,’ for it perfectly shews the meaning of speaking with a stiff neck, when you hold the horn on high, or erect, like the horn of an unicorn.” Bruce.
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The stouthearted &c.] The mighty warriours that came up against Jerusalem are spoiled, and have slept the sleep of death; neither were any of those great champions able to resist the destroying angel. Bp. Holl.
Psalms 76:6
- For promotion cometh neither &c.] That is, success and advancement come not from any earthly quarter, but from God.
¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song || of Asaph. † Or, for Asaph.
IN Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
Psalms 76:8
- For in the hand &c.] As the choicest of heavenly blessings are frequently in Scripture represented by the salutary effects of wine, so from the noxious and intoxicating qualities of that liquor, when drunk strong, and in too large a quantity, is borrowed a most tremendous image of the wrath and indignation of Almighty God. Bp. Horne.
— it is full of mixture: ] See the note from Bp. Lowth on Isa. i. 22.
This Psalm especially instructs us that it is God who establishes and strengthens kings, and gives peace to their dominions; and that it is the duty of kings and princes, and in general of all magistrates, to exercise justice, to restrain the wicked and the proud, and to protect the innocent. Ostervald.
Psalm LXXVI. This is a song of triumph on God’s deliverance of Jerusalem from a powerful army which threatened the destruction of it, probably the army of Sennacherib. Green.
Ver. 4. — than the mountains of prey.] Mountains often stand for great princes; and this may be a figurative expression for mighty conquerors who ravage the earth.
Psalms 76:10
- Surely the wrath &c.] From the spite and malice of thine enemies, Thou shalt take occasion to win