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New American Bible

2002 11 11
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Chapter 76

1

For the leader; a psalm with stringed instruments. A song of Asaph.

2

1 Renowned in Judah is God, whose name is great in Israel.

3

2 On Salem is God's tent, a shelter on Zion.

4

There the flashing arrows were shattered, shield, sword, and weapons of war. Selah

5

3 Terrible and awesome are you, stronger than the ancient mountains.

6

Despoiled are the bold warriors; they sleep their final sleep; the hands of all the mighty have failed.

7

At your roar, O God of Jacob, chariots and steeds lay still.

8

So terrible and awesome are you; who can stand before you and your great anger?

9

From the heavens you pronounced sentence; the earth was terrified and reduced to silence,

10

When you arose, O God, for judgment to deliver the afflicted of the land. Selah

11

4 Even wrathful Edom praises you; the remnant of Hamath keeps your feast.

12

Make and keep vows to the LORD your God. May all present bring gifts to this awesome God,

13

Who checks the pride of princes, inspires awe among the kings of earth.

 

 



1 [Psalm 76] A song glorifying Zion, the mountain of Jerusalem where God destroyed Israel's enemies. Zion is thus the appropriate site to celebrate the victory (⇒ Psalm 76:3-4), a victory described in parallel scenes (⇒ Psalm 76:5-7, ⇒ 8-11). Israel is invited to worship its powerful patron deity (⇒ Psalm 76:12).



2 [3] Salem: an ancient name for Jerusalem, used here perhaps on account of its allusion to the Hebrew word for peace, shalom. Cf ⇒ Genesis 14:18; ⇒ Hebrews 7:1-3.



3 [5] Ancient mountains: conjectural translation of a difficult Hebrew phrase on the basis of ⇒ Genesis 49:26. The mountains are part of the structure of the universe (⇒ Psalm 89:12-13).



4 [11] Edom . . . Hamath: conjectural translation. Israel's neighbors to the southeast and north.





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