Psalms 78:65

65 Then the Lord got up as if he had been asleep; he awoke like a man who had been drunk with 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 The young men died by fire, and the young women had no one to marry.

64 Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows were not allowed to cry.

65 Then the Lord got up as if he had been asleep; he awoke like a man who had been drunk with wine.

66 He struck down his enemies and disgraced them forever.

67 But God rejected the family of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim.