King James Version

What Does Psalms 76:1 Mean?

Psalms 76:1 in the King James Version says “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. of: or,...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 76 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. of: or, for”

Psalms 76:1 · KJV

Context

1

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. of: or, for

2

In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

3

There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. This psalm of Zion celebrates God's dramatic intervention to defend His people. The opening verse establishes location and reputation: God has made Himself known in the territory and among the people He has chosen.

"In Judah is God known" (noda biYhudah Elohim, נוֹדָע בִּיהוּדָה אֱלֹהִים) uses the passive form of yada (to know). God has made Himself known—not through abstract revelation but through mighty acts witnessed in Judah. "Judah" was the southern kingdom, containing Jerusalem and the temple, the center of Davidic rule and Yahweh worship after the kingdom divided.

"His name is great in Israel" (beYisra'el gadol shemo, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל גָּדוֹל שְׁמוֹ) parallels the first clause, extending from Judah to all Israel. God's "name" (shem) represents His revealed character, reputation, and renown. That His name is "great" (gadol) means it commands respect, inspires awe, and excels all competitors. Among God's covenant people, His reputation stands supreme.

The verse celebrates particularity: God has chosen to reveal Himself in specific places to specific people. While God is universal Creator, He has made Himself known especially through Israel's history. This particularity serves universal purpose—through Israel, all nations would eventually know Yahweh.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 76 is traditionally associated with Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE. The Assyrian king besieged Jerusalem during Hezekiah's reign, and the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). This miraculous deliverance demonstrated God's power to protect Zion and became a paradigm of divine intervention.

The psalm's references to breaking arrows, shields, and swords (verse 3), and to stouthearted warriors being "spoiled" and sleeping their last sleep (verse 5), fit this military context. God's "rebuke" that caused chariot and horse to fall into "dead sleep" (verse 6) may allude to the angel's nighttime destruction of the Assyrian army.

Jerusalem's survival while surrounding cities fell to Assyria was remarkable. Sennacherib's own records (the Taylor Prism) boast of capturing 46 Judean cities but never claim to have taken Jerusalem—a notable omission given Assyrian propaganda's tendency to exaggerate victories.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for God to be 'known' in a particular place or among a particular people?
  2. How does God's self-revelation through Israel relate to His universal rule over all nations?
  3. What events in your community or nation might cause God's name to become 'great' among the people?
  4. How does the particularity of God's revelation (choosing Israel, choosing you) enhance rather than limit His glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
נוֹדָ֣ע1 of 6

“known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בִּֽיהוּדָ֣ה2 of 6

“In Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֱלֹהִ֑ים3 of 6

“is God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל4 of 6

“in Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

גָּד֥וֹל5 of 6

“is great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

שְׁמֽוֹ׃6 of 6

“his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 76:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 76:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 4:1-2Acts 17:231 Chronicles 29:10-12Daniel 3:29Psalms 48:1-3Psalms 98:2-3

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