In this psalm, Asaph praises God for giving Israel a victory over their enemies. Although we can’t be certain of the historical background of this psalm, many commentators believe it’s referring to the deliverance from the attack of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, during the reign of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 19:35-37 / Isaiah 37:36-38.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why it was written.
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
The heading tells us that this was written for the director of music. Some commentators believe that the ‘director of music’ is God Himself and others believe that it is a song leader who led choirs or musicians, 1 Chronicles 6:33 / 1 Chronicles 16:17 / 1 Chronicles 25:6.
The psalm was a song and was to be used with a stringed instrument. Asaph was the singer and musician during the reign of David and Solomon, 1 Chronicles 15:17-19 / 1 Chronicles 16:5-7 / 1 Chronicles 25:6. 1 Chronicles 25:1, and 2 Chronicles 29:30, tell us that Asaph was a prophet in his musical compositions.
Asaph begins by declaring that God is known in Judah and that His name is great in Israel, Psalm 76:1, because He delivered His people, Acts 17:23. His tent is in Salem, which is Jerusalem, Genesis 14:18 / Hebrews 7:1-2, and His dwelling place is in Zion, Psalm 76:2. This is where David built his own public worship place, 2 Samuel 6:17 / Psalm 2:6 / Psalm 9:11 / Psalm 48:12 / Psalm 65:1.
God broke the flashing arrows, shields, Psalm 76:3 / Psalm 5:12 / Psalm 33:20 / Ephesians 6:16, and swords when David conquered Jerusalem. God totally disarmed the enemy and then David then set Jerusalem up as the centre of Israel and brought peace to the city, 2 Samuel 5:6-10. The victory that took place was the work of God, and so, God was Israel’s defence.
You may notice at the end of verse three, some translations have the word, ‘selah’, although no one really knows what this word means, it’s likely it means to pause. It’s a time to stop and reflect upon what has just been said. We can almost imagine Asaph pausing for a breath as he contemplates the victory God gave Israel.
Asaph describes God as a radiant light, Psalm 76:4 / 1 John 1:5, more majestic than mountains with rich game, Psalm 76:4. In other words, Asaph knew God was more glorious and majestic than these places.
These valiant men came confidently to invade Jerusalem, Psalm 76:5 / Colossians 2:8, but God made them useless by attacking them when they were asleep, Psalm 76:5. The words, ‘sleep their last sleep’, Psalm 76:5, refers to the time when the angel of God swept over the army of Sennacherib and brought death to one-hundred and eighty-five thousand men.
When the morning came after all the warriors of Sennacherib had died, none of them could raise their hands in battle against Israel, Psalm 76:5 / Isaiah 37:36. At God’s rebuke, both horse and chariot lie still, Psalm 76:6 / Psalm 65:12-13 / Psalm 114:3-7 / Habakkuk 3:8-11.
As a result of God’s work through the angel, Asaph tells us that it is God and God alone who should be feared, Psalm 76:7. That is, Israel should fear Sennacherib and his army, but God alone because He is far more powerful. Not only should God be feared but He must also be revered because when God is angry, man has no strength to stand against Him and therefore, man should be afraid, Psalm 76:7-8.
God pronounced His judgment from heaven and the land feared and became quiet, Psalm 76:8. In other words, everything respected God, especially when He is angry. When God arose to judge, He also saved all those who were afflicted in the land, Psalm 76:9. God has always cared for the poor and needy and He not only cares for them but He also judges those who bring affliction upon them, Psalm 76:9.
You may notice at the end of verse nine, some translations have the word, ‘selah’, although no one really knows what this word means, it’s likely it means to pause. As mentioned earlier, it’s a time to stop and reflect upon what has just been said. We can almost imagine Asaph pausing for a breath as he contemplates the judgements of God upon the Assyrians.
Asaph now speaks about how God’s wrath against mankind will actually bring about praise for God, Psalm 76:10 / Jeremiah 11:23 / Jeremiah 44:14 / Micah 7:18 / Zephaniah 2:7 / Acts 2:23 / Romans 8:28.
The survivors of God’s wrath are restrained, Psalm 76:10, that is, God will clothe Himself with the leftovers of man’s wrath against Him and His people, 1 Samuel 17:39 / 1 Samuel 25:13 / Psalm 45:3. No matter how strong man’s efforts are against God, He will overcome them, Exodus 9:16 / Isaiah 45:24.
Asaph calls upon the people to make voluntary vows to the Lord, Psalm 76:11, because God delivered them from the Assyrians, but they must also fulfil them, Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 / Psalm 22:25 / Psalm 50:14 / Psalm 56:12 / Psalm 66:13.
He calls upon all the neighbouring lands to bring their gifts to God, Psalm 76:11. This was a way of giving thanks, bringing praise and honour to God for what He has done, Psalm 45:12 / Isaiah 16:1 / Isaiah 18:7 / Isaiah 60:5.
It’s God who breaks the spirit of rulers, Psalm 76:12, that is, He humbles them, therefore God should be feared by all the kings of the earth, Psalm 76:12. God and God alone is worthy of all this praise and everyone should praise Him and give Him the reverence and honour that only He deserved.
Because God destroyed the Assyrian army and so, Asaph encourages everyone to fear the Lord. Fearing the Lord is taught throughout the Scriptures, Psalm 89:7 / Hebrews 12:28-29, but what kind of fear are we speaking about? It’s not the kind of fear the Israelites were experiencing from the Assyrians, it’s the kind of fear which brings about godly reverence and awe for God.
As Christians, we don’t need to fear God’s anger if we are obedient to Him, Ecclesiastes 12:13 / Romans 2:5-9, He loves us and if we love Him, we have nothing to fear from Him, 1 John 4:18. Godly fear brings us into a loving relationship with Him, Luke 4:8 / Hebrews 12:28. Godly fear leads us to live the kind of lives which pleases Him, Deuteronomy 10:12-13 / James 1:14-15.
The reason many people sin, including Christians, is because they don’t take that godly fear seriously. Some don’t take God seriously and as a result, they don’t take their sin seriously, Galatians 6:7-8. Having godly fear brings blessings, whereas having no fear of God brings, condemnation.