Psalm 76: The wrath of man shall praise you!

We have no knowledge of the origin of this Psalm, other than to note that it is anotherpsalm of Asaph. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament which was undertakenaround 200 B. C., this Psalm was described as being “an ode to the Assyrian.” This can be a reference to the ancient Assyrians or to the future Antichrist, who is believed by many to be an Assyrian. Another ancient version said it referred to David’s victory overRabbah, capital of the Ammonites, as well as the victory of Messiah over the wicked.In this Psalm, God is seen as providing victory over enemies who are seeking to spoiland destroy his people. All the wrath of man actually ends up serving God’s purposes.This is a profound and encouraging truth.

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

In JudahGod is known; his name is great in Israel. (2) In Salem also is histabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

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The neginoth are the stringed instruments.

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We see that God will make Himself known in Judah and his name to be great inIsrael. Jerusalem was roughly the dividing point between the southern areaknown as Judah and the northern area which was later referred to as Israel. Afterthe era of Solomon the nation, which had been united into one monarchy underSaul, split into separate southern and northern kingdoms – each with its ownking.

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 76

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All of this could indicate that God would do something so great that his name ismagnified all over the nation. The glory of God could reunite the people.

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His tabernacle or tent is mentioned as being Salem, which is a shortened form of Jerusalem. The word “Salem” means “peaceful,” and Jerusalem means “thefoundation of peace.” Zion, of course, would refer to the actual hill of God wherethe Temple stood.

(3) There he broke the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

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On the basis of these verses it does not appear that these passages could refer toDavid’s victory over the Ammonites. Indeed, it appears that the passage speaks of the final apocalyptic battle which centers around Jerusalem. We note in verse 3that it is “there,” presumably Zion, that God breaks the arrows, etc. These areoffensive weapons, and not merely the defensive weapons used by the Ammonitesin the defense of their city.

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Indeed, the Scriptures are clear that the Lord’s return to establish his earthly kingdom is marked by a battle and a campaign in which Judah and Jerusalemfeature prominently.

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In Zechariah 12 we read this:

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of tremblingto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem aburdensome stone for all people; all who burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. In

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 76

that day, says the LORD, I will strike every horse with astonishment, and hisrider with madness: and I will open my eyes upon the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the people with blindness…. The LORD also shall save thetents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of theinhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. In that dayshall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feebleamong them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be asGod, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, thespirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom theyhave pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

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Later on, in chapter 14 of Zechariah, we read this:

Behold, the day of the LORDcomes, and your spoil shall be divided in the midst of you. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the housesrifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity,and the remainder of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

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The prophets describe a campaign of battle against these enemies beginning inHabakkuk, where God is said to come from the southern parts of Edom: Temanand Mount Paran. (Refer to handout for more understanding of the region.)