Psalms 78:65

65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Psalms 78:65 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep
He seemed to be asleep, while he suffered the ark to be taken, and the Israelites to be slain; and he may be said to awake when he exerted his power in smiting the Philistines, and causing their idol to fall before his ark; see ( Psalms 7:6 ) ( 44:23 ) ,

and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine;
who having taken a free draught of generous wine, not to excess, goes forth with great courage and cheerfulness to meet his adversary, shouting as he goes, being sure of victory; which must be applied to God with decency, consistent with the glory of his majesty, and the perfections of his nature; and seems designed to express his power and readiness to help his people, and avenge himself on his enemies; see ( Isaiah 42:13 ) ( Zechariah 9:15 ) .

Psalms 78:65 In-Context

63 Fire devoured their young men; And their virgins had no marriage-song.
64 Their priests fell by the sword; And their widows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.
66 And he smote his adversaries backward: He put them to a perpetual reproach.
67 Moreover he refused the tent of Joseph, And chose not the tribe of Ephraim,
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.