The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 3 · Psalm 76
PSALM LXXVI.
To the chief Muſician on Neginoth. A Pſalm or Song of Aſaph.
ARGUMENT.
It is viſible to every eye that the Pſalmiſt here commemorates ſome notable Victory, over very powerfull Enemies: whereby God delivered (when it was in great danger) the whole Country; particularly Jeruſalem. Which is called here Salem, Ver. 2. by an uſual form of ſpeech among the Hebrews, who are wont in names of places, to cut off the former part: inſtead of Abel-Sittim, ſaying onelyonly Sittim; and Nimrim for Beth-Nimrim; Lechi for Ramath-Lechi; Sheba for Beer-Sheba, and many ſuch like; as Bochartus hath ſhewn in the Second Book of his Phaleg, chap. 24. and in the Firſt part of his Work concerning the Animals named in Scripture, Book 2. ch. 25.
And there is as little reaſon to doubt that the particular deliverance here aimed at, is that from Senacherib's Army; which Aſaph the Seer, mentioned 2 Chr. XXIX. 30. (ſee Pſal. LXXIII.) was not content to celebrate in the former Hymn, which he made for the uſe of the King; but added this alſo, for his own uſe, and all other pious perſons. Who he hoped would join in it; eſpecially when it was ſung in the Temple, as he directed the Maſter of the Muſick, after the ſame manner as Pſal. IV.
Some of the Greeks ſeem to have perceived ſomething of this: For, though there be no ſuch Title in the ancient Hexaplus of Origen; yet in after times Theodoret tells us, he found in ſome Copies this Inſcription, which ſtill continues; An Ode againſt the Aſſyrian: which Apollinarius follows.
Of a Pſalm-Song, ſee Pſalm LXVII.
1. IN Judah is God known: his Name is great in Iſrael.
1. GOD hath ſo illuſtriouſly demonſtrated himſelf among us (in this unexpected and terrible execution) to be the Sovereign Ruler and Judge of the World; that he muſt ſhut his eyes that doth not ſee it: His Power and all his other glorious perfections, which are conſpicuous every where, are in no Country ſo magnified as they are in Iſrael.
2. In Salem alſo is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling-place in Sion.
2. Our Enemies themſelves, who reviled Him (2 Chron. XXXII. 17, 19.) and deſpiſed Jeruſalem (Ib. Verſe 10.) are now ſure convinced, that there this Mighty Lord maketh his abode: in the top of that Mountain where he hath choſen to fix his dwelling-place.
3. There brake he the arrows of the bow, the ſhield, and the ſword, and the battel. Selah.
3. Before the Walls of which He hath ſlain with an inviſible Dart, the fiery Archers (who have not ſhot ſo much as one Arrow into it, 2 King. XIX. 32.) and made the Shields, and Swords, and the reſt of their military preparations, altogether uſeleſs and unprofitable.
4. Thou art more glorious and excellent then the mountains of prey.
4. Whereby thou, O Sion, art become more glorious then all the Mountains, where the fierceſt Beaſts of prey, or the moſt deſperate Robbers, have their reſort: who never made ſuch ſlaughters.
5. The ſtout-hearted are ſpoiled, they have ſlept their ſleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
5. For they, whoſe courage made them fear no danger, but confidently promiſed themſelves the ſpoil of Jeruſalem, are given unto us for a ſpoil: They lay down to ſleep, but never awaked; 2 King. XIX 35.) not a man, among the moſt mighty of them, was able to ſtrike a ſtroke; or do any thing to defend himſelf againſt that hand, which cut them off.
6. At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horſe are caſt into a dead ſleep.
6. But the moſt experienced Horſemen, as well as they that rode in Chariots, ſunk down dead, at the ſudden check, the ſevere rebuke; which they received from Thee, O God of Jacob, whom they reproached, 2 King. XIX. 22, 23.
7. Thou, even thou art to be feared, and who may ſtand in thy ſight when once thou art angry?
7. Thou, and none but Thou, art to be dreaded: And what King is he, that is able, for ſo ſhort a time as a moment, to reſiſt thy power? which in an inſtant can deſtroy all thoſe, who incur thy heavy diſpleaſure.
8. Thou didſt cauſe judgement to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was ſtill,
8. We have an Example of it before our eyes; for when we made our ſolemn appeal to Thee (2 King. XIX. 3, 4, 15, 16.) Thou waſt pleaſed to pronounce a ſentence of condemnation from heaven upon our enemies: which ſtruck ſuch terrour into thoſe that ſurvived, that they who before were full of rage and made a tumultuous noiſe (Ver. 27, 28.) were as ſtill as Lambs; and durſt not ſtir a foot, but onelyonly to return from whence they came, Ver. 28, 36.
9. When God aroſe to judgment, to ſave all the meek of the earth. Selah.
9. They were afraid to continue their attempts againſt us, when God, who had long ſuffered their inſolence, ſent an Angel to chaſtiſe it, and to do execution upon them: and thereby delivered the helpleſs people of this Land; who had patiently born their horrible oppreſſion.
10. Surely the wrath of man ſhall praiſe thee: the remainder of wrath ſhalt thou reſtrain.
10. Which may well be a warning to all fell Tyrants, not to be ſo fierce and outragious, which will onelyonly preſent Thee with the fairer opportunity to glorifie thy ſelf, and raiſe thy praiſe to a greater height; as Thou haſt now done, by ſuppreſſing the Aſſyrians fury: who if they have any reliques of wrath, which may boil up again in their hearts; Thou ſhalt chain it up, and not ſuffer it to break forth to our further diſturbance.
11. Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God; let all that are round about him bring preſents unto him that ought to be feared.
11. And let this excite you all, who are thus marvellouſly delivered, to make more liberal promiſes of gratefull Sacrifices; as well as to perform thoſe, which you have already vowed, to the great Lord your moſt gracious God: who ſo far excells all others, that the Nations round about us, who hear the fame of this, ſhall reproach you (if you be forgetfull of his benefits) by the preſents which they ſhall make to Him; (2 Chr. XXXII. 23.) who ought to be feared by all his Friends, and is moſt terrible to his Enemies.
12. He ſhall cut off the ſpirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.
12. For he can eaſily, with a ſudden ſtroke, not onelyonly take down the proud ſtomach, but take away the life, of the fierceſt Captains and Commanders: (2 Chr. XXXII. 21.) yea, make the greateſt Monarchs (who keep the world in awe) quake and tremble at his dreadfull executions.