Psalm 76 6

Psalm 76:6 kjv

At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

Psalm 76:6 nkjv

At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.

Psalm 76:6 niv

At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.

Psalm 76:6 esv

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.

Psalm 76:6 nlt

At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob,
their horses and chariots lay still.

Psalm 76 verses

Psalm 76 6 Meaning

Psalm 76:6 proclaims the immediate and decisive defeat of military might at the authoritative word of the Almighty. At God's sharp reproof, the most formidable human adversaries, symbolized by horsemen, are rendered utterly helpless, cast into a supernaturally induced, death-like stupor. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and His covenant faithfulness as the "God of Jacob" to defend His people without reliance on human strength or conventional warfare.

Psalm 76 6 Context

Psalm 76 is a song of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's triumph over attacking enemies of Judah and Jerusalem. It explicitly identifies Zion (Jerusalem) as God's dwelling place (vv. 1-2). The immediate preceding verses (3-5) describe God breaking the weapons of war (bows, arrows, shields, swords) and speaking of His majesty from the mountains of prey. This particular psalm is widely understood to celebrate a decisive historical deliverance of Jerusalem, most powerfully suggested to be the Assyrian invasion under King Sennacherib around 701 BC. In that event, as recorded in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37, a massive Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem was miraculously struck down by a single angel overnight, leading to the enemy's complete retreat without human intervention from Judah. This context underscores the verse's emphasis on divine, rather than human, power for victory. The "God of Jacob" title ties this present deliverance to His consistent covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout Israel's history. The verse stands as a strong polemic against reliance on military might and against the efficacy of pagan deities worshipped by imperial armies.

Psalm 76 6 Word analysis

• At your rebuke:

  • Hebrew: מִגַּעֲרָתְךָ (mi-ga'aratkha) - "from your rebuke." The prefix mi- indicates cause or origin, emphasizing that the "rebuke" is the direct and sole cause of the effect.
  • "Rebuke" (ga'arah): Signifies a strong, authoritative, and decisive verbal command of God, often implying judgment or powerful intervention to silence and scatter opposition. It's not a mere reprimand but a declaration with immediate, overwhelming executive power, echoing the powerful word of creation. This is a word of divine judgment.

• O God of Jacob:

  • This divine title, "Elohei Ya'akov" (אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב), is highly significant. It emphasizes God's covenant relationship with Israel, rooted in His personal appearances to Jacob and His faithfulness to the covenant promises made to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). It links God's abstract, awesome power (as described in Psalm 76 generally) to His specific, historical, and personal commitment to His people, providing a source of assurance and reminding of His past deliverances.

• both rider:

  • Symbolizes the mounted soldiers, elite fighting forces in ancient warfare. Horsemen were crucial to cavalry charges and shock tactics.

• and horse:

  • Represents the animal power integral to ancient military might, signifying speed, force, and capacity for war. Together, "rider and horse" encapsulates the peak of human military strength and aggression.

• lay stunned / cast into a deep sleep / fell fast asleep:

  • Hebrew: נִרְדְּמוּ (nirdamu) - a passive form meaning "they were caused to sleep deeply," "they were cast into a stupor," or "they became senseless." This is more than merely falling or collapsing; it implies a supernaturally induced, incapacitating, or even death-like slumber. It suggests complete helplessness and unawareness, not a defeat in active combat. This directly aligns with accounts of enemy forces being struck down supernaturally without engagement.

• "At your rebuke, O God of Jacob": This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and effective word. The action is entirely God's, prompted by His divine displeasure and authority, demonstrating that no power, human or otherwise, can withstand His decree when He acts on behalf of His covenant people. It is God’s voice, not a human weapon, that achieves victory.

• "both rider and horse lay stunned": This signifies the complete and utter nullification of the most formidable human military power by God's non-physical intervention. It's not a victory achieved by Israelite chariots or horsemen, but by the divine act against the instruments of war themselves. This visual conveys immediate, total incapacitation, often associated with a sudden, mysterious mass death, emphasizing divine awe and judgment without traditional battle.

Psalm 76 6 Bonus section

This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of warfare and divine intervention. It demonstrates that true victory comes not from strategic might, advanced weaponry, or numerical superiority, but from the immediate and irresistible power of God's spoken word. It dismantles the pagan worldview that valued military might above all, showing the emptiness of such reliance. The "deep sleep" or "being stunned" points to an overwhelming divine judgment, distinct from battlefield defeat; it is an internal, incapacitating strike from the very being of God. This supernatural element serves as a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and capacity to act outside human comprehension, requiring complete faith in His omnipotence rather than self-reliance.

Psalm 76 6 Commentary

Psalm 76:6 encapsulates the core message of the psalm: God's supreme power, evidenced by His ability to defeat the most formidable human military might through a mere "rebuke." This verse is a powerful declaration that human strength, technology, or numbers are utterly meaningless when confronted by divine authority. The image of the "rider and horse"—the symbols of ancient military superiority—lying "stunned" or in a "deep sleep" depicts an immediate, supernatural incapacitation, bypassing conventional warfare. This kind of intervention is perfectly illustrated by the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem where a vast army was annihilated overnight without human battle. The title "God of Jacob" underscores God's personal faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, reassuring His people that their defense rests not on their own efforts, but on the invincible, historical Protector who stands uniquely with them against all adversaries. It emphasizes trusting in God's word and presence for deliverance rather than human preparation.