Log inSign up

Psalm 76 · a question people ask

What battle is the psalm about?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say. It names no king, no army, no enemy and no time. It tells what God did: "There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war" (76:3), and "At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep" (76:6). Its title says only "For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song" (76:1), and no New Testament verse quotes this psalm. So these notes don't tie it to any event, and they apply it to no war or people today. As for Asaph, the notes on Psalm 50, the first psalm whose title names him, set out what the Bible says of an Asaph, and don't say whether he is the one the titles name; these notes don't either.

The verses

“For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song. In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.”
Psalm 76:1 · World English Bible
“There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.”
Psalm 76:3 · World English Bible
“At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.”
Psalm 76:6 · World English Bible
“A Psalm by Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.”
Psalm 50:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 76

Psalm 76: In Judah, God is known

Two of the psalm's words for where God dwells (Psalm 76:2) are words other verses use of a lion's lair, and Deuteronomy 33:27 uses one of them of God himself. The valiant men "slept their last sleep" (Psalm 76:5) with the verb of Psalm 121:4, where the one who keeps Israel never slumbers. And God arose to judgment "to save all the afflicted ones of the earth" (Psalm 76:9).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 76 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 76

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions