Psalms 76:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 76:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.
Psalms 76:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 76

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, etc.] The God of Jacob personally, and of his posterity, the children of Israel, and of the church, often so called who rebukes his people in love, but his enemies with furious rebukes, with rebukes in flames of fire; with such he rebukes the Heathen, destroys the wicked, and puts out their name for ever: both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep; that is, the riders in chariots and on horses; such there were doubtless in the Assyrian army, it being usual to have such in great armies. Kimchi observes, that the word µdrn, translated “cast into a dead sleep”, is in the singular number, and interprets it of the king, the head of the men of might: but…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob - At thy word; thy bidding; or, when God rebuked them for their attempt to attack the city. The idea is, that they were discomfited by a word spoken by God. Both the chariot and horse ... - The Septuagint renders this, “They who are mounted on horses.” The word rendered “chariot” here - רכב rekeb - may mean “riders, cavalry,” as well as chariot. See the notes at Isaiah 21:7. Hence, there would be less incongruity in the Hebrew than in our translation, where it is said that the “chariots” have fallen into a deep sleep. The idea may be either that horsemen and horses had fallen into a deep slumber, or that the rumbling of the chariot-wheels had ceased, and that…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Chariot - The men who rode upon, and fought from chariots and horses. Psalms 76:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“At thy: Psa 18:15, Psa 80:16, Psa 104:7; Exo 15:1, Exo 15:21 both: Exo 14:27, Exo 14:28, Exo 15:4-6, Exo 15:10; Sa2 10:18; Isa 37:36; Eze 39:20; Nah 1:6; Nah 2:13, Nah 3:18; Zac 12:4 dead: Sa1 26:12; Jer 51:39, Jer 51:57 Psalms 76:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification