Psalms 76
What Happens in This Chapter
This song praises God for stopping an attack on Jerusalem. It says God broke the weapons of the armies that came, and their strong soldiers could not fight. The rest of the song tells people to bring gifts to God and keep their promises to him, because even kings are afraid of him.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.
1People in Judah know God. In Israel his name is great.
2In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
2His tent is in Salem. He lives in Zion.
Salem is an old name for Jerusalem. Zion is the hill the city was built on. A tent here means the place where God met with his people.
3There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
3There God broke the arrows and the bows. He broke the shields and the swords and stopped the fighting. Selah.
"Selah" is a word used in songs. It may mean stop and rest for a moment.
4Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.
4You shine with light. You are greater than the mountains where hunters catch animals.
5The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
5Brave soldiers had all they owned taken away. They fell asleep and did not wake up. The strongest men could not even lift a hand.
6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
6God of Jacob, you spoke a sharp word. Then the horses and their chariots lay still.
7Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
7You are the one people should fear. When you are angry, no one can stand in front of you.
8Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
8From heaven you said what was right and wrong. The earth was afraid and went quiet.
9When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
9That was when God stood up to judge. He came to save all the humble people on earth. Selah.
10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
10Even angry people end up giving you praise. You hold back the anger that is left.
11Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
11Make promises to the LORD your God, and then keep them. Let everyone around him bring gifts. He is the one to fear.
12He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
12God takes away the pride of rulers. Even the kings of the earth are afraid of him.
The old English says God is "terrible" to kings. That means kings are afraid of him, not that he is bad.
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