PSALM 76*
God Defends Zion
I
whose name is great in Israel.
shield, sword, and weapons of war.b
Selah
II
stronger than the ancient mountains.*
they sank into sleep;
the hands of all the men of valor have failed.c
chariot and steed lay still.
who can stand before you and your great anger?d
the earth was terrified and reduced to silence,
to save the afflicted of the land.
Selah
the remnant of your furor will keep your feast.
III
May all around him bring gifts to the one to be feared,
who is fearful to the kings of earth.
* [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 (Ps 76:3–4), a victory described in parallel scenes (Ps 76:5–7, 8–11). Israel is invited to worship its powerful patron deity (Ps 76:12).
* [76:3] Salem: an ancient name for Jerusalem, used here perhaps on account of its allusion to the Hebrew word for peace, shalom, cf. Gn 14:18; Heb 7:1–3.
* [76:5] Ancient mountains: conjectural translation of a difficult Hebrew phrase on the basis of Gn 49:26. The mountains are part of the structure of the universe (Ps 89:12–13).
c. [76:6] 2 Kgs 19:35; Jer 51:39; Na 3:18.
Copyright 2019-2025 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy