Psalms 78:65

65 Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep,^[a] like a warrior from the effects 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 consumed His chosen young men, and His young women had no wedding songs.

64 His priests fell by the sword, but the widows could not lament.

65 Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior from the effects of wine.

66 He beat back His foes; He gave them lasting shame.

67 He rejected the tent of Joseph and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 35:23; 59:5; 121:4
• [b]. Isa 42:13; 51:9