Psalm 76:3

3 There he broke the power of the bows, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Pause.

Psalm 76:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 76:3

There brake he the arrows of the bow
&c.] The Targum is,

``there brake he the arrows and the bows of the people that make war;''

the word (ypvr) , translated "arrows", signifies "sparks or coals of fire"; see ( Job 5:7 ) ( Song of Solomon 8:6 ) and is used of arrows, because they fly swiftly, as sparks do, or because of their brightness, or because fiery; so we read of "the fiery darts of Satan", ( Ephesians 6:16 ) , and perhaps they may be meant here: when Christ our Lord suffered near Jerusalem, he spoiled principalities and powers, and broke their strength and might, and made peace by the blood of his cross, in which he triumphed over them; for the destroying of these instruments of war with what follow:

the shield, and the sword, and the battle,
is expressive of making wars to cease, and causing peace; and may include the peace which was all the world over at the birth of Christ, and was foretold and expressed in much such language as here, ( Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah 9:10 ) , and also that which was made by his sufferings and death, and which was published in his Gospel by his apostles, whom he sent forth unarmed, whose weapons were not carnal, but spiritual; and likewise the spiritual peace he gives to his people, quenching the fiery darts of Satan, and delivering them from the archers that shoot at them, and sorely grieve them; as well as that peace which shall be in the world and churches in the latter day; see ( Psalms 46:11 ) ,

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

Psalm 76:3 In-Context

1 God is known in Judea: his name is great in Israel.

2 And his place has been in peace, and his dwelling-place in Sion.

3 There he broke the power of the bows, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Pause.

4 Thou dost wonderfully shine forth from the everlasting mountains.

5 All the simple ones in heart were troubled; all the men of wealth have slept their sleep, and have found nothing in their hands.

6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, the riders on horses slumbered.

7 Thou art terrible; and who shall withstand thee, because of thine anger?

8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

9 when God arose to judgment, to save all the meek in heart. Pause.

10 For the inward thought of man shall give thanks to thee: and the memorial of his inward thought shall keep a feast to thee.

11 Vow, and pay your vows to the Lord our God; all that are round about him shall bring gifts, even to him that is terrible,

12 and that takes away the spirits of princes; to him that is terrible among the kings of the earth.