Psalms 76:4

“Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.] Which is to be understood not of Zion, as some interpret it; though it is true that the mountain of Zion, or the church of Christ, his kingdom and interest, shall in the latter day be more glorious and excellent than all other mountains, kingdoms, and interests; (see <230202>Isaiah 2:2), but of God or Christ before spoken of; and so the Targum, “bright, to be feared, art thou, O God, to be praised from the house of thy sanctuary.” Christ, who is God over all, is “bright” f1077, splendid, and glorious, in his divine nature, being the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person: and “excellent” in his…”

“Thou art more glorious and excellent - The word rendered glorious - נאור na'ôr - is from the verb which means “to shine,” to give light, and the word would properly refer to a luminous or “shining” object - as the sun, the source of light. Hence, it means “shining,” splendid, glorious; and it is thus applied to the Divine Being with reference to his perfections, being like light. Compare 1 John 1:5. The word rendered “excellent,” means exalted, noble, great. These words are applied here to God from the manifestation of his perfections in the case referred to. Than the mountains of prey - The word “prey” as employed here - טרף ṭereph - means that which is obtained by hunting; and then,…”

“Thou - O God. Than - The greatest kings and empires of the earth, which in prophetic writings are often compared to mountains. And they are called mountains of prey, because they generally were established by tyranny, and maintained by preying upon their own subjects, or other kingdoms. Psalms 76:5”

“76:4-6 The psalmist praises God for his achievement and for his glorious majesty. 76:4 The victorious king’s splendor, glory, and majesty are greater than anything in the created order (8:1; 29:4; 111:3).”

“mountains: Jer 4:7; Eze 19:1-4, Eze 19:6, Eze 38:12, Eze 38:13; Dan 7:4-8, Dan 7:17-28 Psalms 76:5”

“The "mountains of prey," for which the lxx has ὀρέων αἰωνίων (טרם?), is an emblematical appellation for the haughty possessors of power who also plunder every one that comes near them, (Note: One verse of a beautiful poem of the Muḥammel which Ibn Dûchı̂, the phylarch of the Beni Zumeir, an honoured poet of the steppe, dictated to Consul Wetzstein runs thus: The noble are like a very lofty hill-side upon which, when thou comest to it, thou findest an evening meal and protection (Arab. 'l-‛š' w-ḏry).) or the proud and despoiling worldly powers. Far aloft beyond these towers the glory of God. He is נאור, illustris, prop. illumined; said of God: light-encircled, fortified in light, in…”