Psalm 76 5

Psalm 76:5 kjv

The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

Psalm 76:5 nkjv

The stouthearted were plundered; They have sunk into their sleep; And none of the mighty men have found the use of their hands.

Psalm 76:5 niv

The valiant lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

Psalm 76:5 esv

The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands.

Psalm 76:5 nlt

Our boldest enemies have been plundered.
They lie before us in the sleep of death.
No warrior could lift a hand against us.

Psalm 76 verses

Psalm 76 5 Meaning

Psalm 76:5 declares God's decisive and overwhelming victory over seemingly invincible adversaries. It reveals that the enemies, though filled with courage and strength, were utterly stripped of their power and put into a deep, death-like slumber, implying a sudden and final end to their might. All their elite warriors were rendered completely helpless, unable to exert their strength or even defend themselves.

Psalm 76 5 Context

Psalm 76 is a psalm of triumph and praise, specifically celebrating God's victorious protection of Jerusalem, identified as Zion. The surrounding verses depict God as the mighty Judge who breaks the weapons of war (v. 3), who is more majestic and powerful than any earthly mountains of prey (v. 4). Verse 5 fits perfectly into this narrative, vividly describing how God’s sudden and unexpected intervention crushes the pride and might of His invading enemies. Historically, this Psalm is widely associated with the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib, as recorded in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37. The night before their anticipated attack, God's angel decimated 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, transforming their confident strength into lifeless bodies. This event is a powerful demonstration of YHWH's absolute sovereignty and invincibility against any human, or even seemingly divine, opposition the nations might boast in.

Psalm 76 5 Word analysis

• The stouthearted (אַבִּירֵי לֵב abbirey lev): Literally, "the mighty of heart" or "the strong of heart." This refers to the most courageous, confident, and powerful among the enemy forces—those who believe themselves invincible. It highlights their internal resolve and external show of power.
• have been spoiled (אֶשְׁתּוֹלְלוּ eshtolelu): This is from the root שָׁלַל (shalal), meaning "to plunder," "to despoil," "to strip." In the Hithpael (reflexive-reciprocal) stem, it conveys that they have become spoiled or plundered. The active agent (God) is implied. It means they were suddenly stripped of their strength, courage, and possessions, left utterly destitute and powerless.
• they have slept their sleep (נָמוּ שְׁנָתָם namu shenatam): A poetic and solemn euphemism for sudden death. It denotes an unawakable, profound sleep, highlighting the unexpected and complete nature of their demise. For soldiers, it can specifically imply being overcome in their sleep without a chance to fight.
• and none of the men of might (וְכָל־אַנְשֵׁי־חַיִל vekol-anshey-chayil): Literally, "and all the men of strength/valor/ability." This refers to the elite warriors, the most capable and skilled soldiers within the enemy army. It implies that every single one, regardless of rank or experience, was affected.
• have found their hands (לֹא מָצְאוּ יְדֵיהֶם lo matseu yedehem): A vivid idiom signifying complete paralysis, helplessness, and an utter inability to act, resist, or use one's strength or skill. It paints a picture of bewildered warriors unable to grasp weapons, defend themselves, or even comprehend their situation. Their capacity to wage war was totally neutralized.

Words-group analysis:

• "The stouthearted have been spoiled; they have slept their sleep": This phrase contrasts human pride and strength with God's sudden, passive yet powerful action. Their inner confidence ("stouthearted") and outward resources are both "spoiled" and led to an inescapable "sleep" of death. It underscores the ultimate futility of relying on one's own power against God.
• "and none of the men of might have found their hands": This further emphasizes the completeness of the defeat. Not only were the proud utterly devastated, but even the most capable and well-trained warriors were rendered useless. This points to a divinely orchestrated confusion and incapacitation, highlighting God's power to disarm His enemies mentally and physically without direct confrontation from His people.

Psalm 76 5 Bonus section

The profound silence following the devastation described in this verse is as impactful as the destruction itself. There's no great battle, no clashing of swords from Israel's side, just God's action that leaves the mighty enemy still, stripped of all noise and movement. This contrasts starkly with the usual chaos of war, highlighting God's effortless sovereignty. The phrase "slept their sleep" can also subtly allude to a perpetual, undisturbed rest that the righteous achieve in God's peace, but for the wicked, it's a terrifying, final stillness without hope or awakening, marking the definitive end of their rebellion against the Almighty.

Psalm 76 5 Commentary

Psalm 76:5 masterfully contrasts human boastfulness with divine supremacy, rooted in the historical account of God's unilateral victory over invading armies, most famously Sennacherib's. The "stouthearted," who embody human strength and courage, are paradoxically "spoiled"—stripped of their very essence and efficacy. This "spoiling" isn't by Israelite armies, but a sovereign act of God. Their "sleep" is a profound death from which there is no awakening, not from battle wounds but from an inexplicable, divine intervention, reinforcing that human pride inevitably meets a divinely appointed end. The idiom "none of the men of might have found their hands" depicts an ultimate paralysis—the elite warriors, trained for combat, were so bewildered and incapacitated that they couldn't even wield their weapons or mount a defense. This passage serves as an enduring testament to the truth that all human might, confidence, and strategy are insignificant before the Lord, who, often without a physical contest, reduces the formidable to dust. It underscores His singular ability to protect His people and execute judgment without direct human instrumentality. The example of the Assyrian army serves as a perpetual reminder that God is the true and only Victor over all foes who oppose Him and His people.