King James Version

What Does Psalms 76:12 Mean?

Psalms 76:12 in the King James Version says “He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 76 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.”

Psalms 76:12 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

10

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

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. unto him: Heb. to fear

12

He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He shall cut off the spirit of princes (יִבְצֹר רוּחַ נְגִידִים, yivtzor ruach negidim)—Batzar means cut off, clip, curtail; ruach is spirit, breath; negidim means princes, leaders, rulers. He is terrible to the kings of the earth (נוֹרָא לְמַלְכֵי־אָרֶץ, nora le-malkhei-aretz)—Nora means awesome, fearful, terrible; malkhei means kings.

Psalm 76 celebrates God's victory over enemies who attacked Jerusalem (likely Sennacherib's army in 2 Kings 19). God humbled the mighty with ease. Cut off the spirit means deflating pride, removing courage, or ending life itself. Human rulers—no matter how powerful—are utterly subject to divine sovereignty. Daniel 4:34-35 illustrates this with Nebuchadnezzar. Revelation 19:11-16 shows Christ as ultimate King who judges earthly kings.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Sennacherib surrounded Jerusalem in 701 BC, Hezekiah prayed, and God sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight (2 Kings 19:35). This psalm may commemorate that stunning deliverance, where the mightiest empire of the age was humiliated by YHWH.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which contemporary rulers seem beyond divine accountability, and how does this verse speak to that?
  2. How should Christians relate to earthly authority, knowing God "cuts off" princes at will?
  3. What does it mean that God is "terrible" (awesome, fearful) to kings but merciful to his people?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
יִ֭בְצֹר1 of 6

“He shall cut off”

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

ר֣וּחַ2 of 6

“the spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

נְגִידִ֑ים3 of 6

“of princes”

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

נ֝וֹרָ֗א4 of 6

“he is terrible”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

לְמַלְכֵי5 of 6

“to the kings”

H4428

a king

אָֽרֶץ׃6 of 6

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 76:12 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 76:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zephaniah 3:6Psalms 68:122 Chronicles 32:21Isaiah 13:6-8Psalms 2:5Isaiah 24:21

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