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Psalms 76 Translation of S.R. Hirsch: <<TO HE WHO GRANTS VICTORY THROUGH THE ART OF MUSIC; A PSALM, A SONG OF ASAPH.>> We can use music to raise our spiritual level. Music can arouse our awareness, increase our happiness, improve our moods, and bring us closer to the Almighty. In the Temple Service music was very important. The Levites formed choirs of singers and numerous musical instruments of various types were employed. [Psalms 76:1] IN JUDAH IS GOD KNOWN: HIS NAME IS GREAT IN ISRAEL. The Almighty is KNOWN in Judah and greatly revered in Israel. The mairi says that this Psalm has been applied to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem when an Angel came down and smote 180,000 warriors of the Assyrian Army under Sennacherib (Isaiah 37:36). THEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD WENT FORTH, AND SMOTE IN THE CAMP OF THE ASSYRIANS A HUNDRED AND FOURSCORE AND FIVE THOUSAND: AND WHEN THEY AROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING, BEHOLD, THEY WERE ALL DEAD CORPSES [Isaiah 37:36]. This occurred after the Northern Ten Tribes had been exiled. We have however quoted a source (Me'Am Loaz) that says that as a consequence of the Assyrian downfall before the gates of Jerusalem the Lost Ten Tribes in their Places of Exile were enabled to assert their freedom. THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT; THOSE WHO DWELT IN A LAND OF DEEP DARKNESS, ON THEM HAS LIGHT SHINED [Isaiah 9:2]. "THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS": One commentary says this refers to the Lost Ten Tribes (LTTs) [see MeAm Loaz]. This source says that after the Assyrian King Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem and had his army destroyed by a miracle the Lost Ten Tribes who already in Exile were released from bondage. [Psalms 76:2] IN SALEM ALSO IS HIS TABERNACLE, AND HIS DWELLING PLACE IN ZION. SALEM is another name for Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the Holy City. Jerusalem is the Dwelling Spot of the Almighty. God wants those who worship him to rule Jerusalem. They musty however achieve this through their own effort and merit. [Psalms 76:3] THERE BRAKE HE THE ARROWS OF THE BOW, THE SHIELD, AND THE SWORD, AND THE BATTLE. SELAH. <<ARROWS>>: In Hebrew "Rishfei" signifying "flames". This could hint at modern weapons. The Almighty will break the power of they who come against Judah and Israel in Jerusalem. [Psalms 76:4] THOU ART MORE GLORIOUS AND EXCELLENT THAN THE MOUNTAINS OF PREY. "Mountains" in Biblical Terminology often represent nations. [Psalms 76:5] THE STOUTHEARTED ARE SPOILED, THEY HAVE SLEPT THEIR SLEEP: AND NONE OF THE MEN OF MIGHT HAVE FOUND THEIR HANDS. <<THEY HAVE SLEPT THEIR SLEEP>> or They are sleeping, i.e. have lost consciousness. It is not inconceivable that future weaponry will include the means of temporarily incapacitating the enemy without necessarily permanently harming him. It could happen that a nation will be forced to defend itself against forces it does not want to harm, e.g. a potential ally, and therefore the possibility of simply putting the enemy to sleep for a while may be on the research agenda. [Psalms 76:6] AT THY REBUKE, O GOD OF JACOB, BOTH THE CHARIOT AND HORSE ARE CAST INTO A DEAD SLEEP. The tanks and their drivers will all be silenced. Here the Psalm is describing the Almighty as the active party. The Psalm however could also be describing Israelites doing the will of God. We have seen over and over again in Scripture that Judah and Israel are spoken of as synonymous with the Almighty. The enemies of Israel are the enemies of God. Whoever oppresses Judah oppresses the Almighty. So too when the Israelites take revenge on their enemies they are expressing the will of the Almighty. [Psalms 76:7] THOU, EVEN THOU, ART TO BE FEARED: AND WHO MAY STAND IN THY SIGHT WHEN ONCE THOU ART ANGRY? [Psalms 76:8] THOU DIDST CAUSE JUDGMENT TO BE HEARD FROM HEAVEN; THE EARTH FEARED, AND WAS STILL, [Psalms 76:9] WHEN GOD AROSE TO JUDGMENT, TO SAVE ALL THE MEEK OF THE EARTH. SELAH. Scripture often speaks on behalf of the meek and oppressed. The Almighty intervenes on behalf of the poor and needy and persecuted. Apart from the quality of justice involved there also seems to be the factor of attitude. People who suffer often come to adopt attitudes of submission and humility that in the eyes of the Bible are desirable. The Bible is strongly against pride and haughtiness even if justified. This is one advantage of someone who repents for at the least they do not hold themselves as being more than what they are. God wants you to be humble. God also wants us to be close to HIM. This will gives us all the dignity we need and more. [Psalms 76:10] SURELY THE WRATH OF MAN SHALL PRAISE THEE: THE REMAINDER OF WRATH SHALT THOU RESTRAIN. [Psalms 76:11] VOW, AND PAY UNTO THE LORD YOUR GOD: LET ALL THAT BE ROUND ABOUT HIM BRING PRESENTS UNTO HIM THAT OUGHT TO BE FEARED. When the Temple will be rebuilt and the Messiah reign all the rulers of the earth will pay obeisance to him. The People of Israel represent the Almighty and the Messiah represents the People of Israel. Even today according to the Bible someone who wishes to serve the Almighty should do it by helping Israel and Judah. This is one of the reasons why Brit-Am is a little reserved concerning the "Bnei Noach" Movement. There is no universal message in the Bible. The Almighty is to be approached through Judah and Israel. [Psalms 76:12] HE SHALL CUT OFF THE SPIRIT OF PRINCES: HE IS TERRIBLE TO THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. The Almighty does not want independent spirits who set themselves up according to their own fancies. We need to all of us submit ourselves to the will of the Almighty which is expressed through HIS people. At the present time the People of Israel comprise both Judah and the Ten Tribes. Each one has their own role to play. Nevertheless they are divided and therefore their power and spiritual potential is diminished. This was the intention of the Almighty as part of the Divine Plan. This is all explained in some detail by the Maharal when he spoke concerning the Lost Ten Tribes and hinted that they would be found in America. A complete translation of the article of the Maharal on the Lost Ten Tribes is included as an Appendix in our book "Role to Rule. The Task of Joseph" which should finally be made available with the next day or so. |