E U1 1-3. The Jebusites' defeat.
V1 4. God. You are glorious.
U2 5,6. The Jebusites' defeat.
V2 7. God. You are to be feared.
U3 8,9. The Jebusties' defeat. Selah.
V3 10. God. You are to be praised.
U4 11,12. The Jebusites' defeat
(Points to the historic event, the taking of Jebus by David [2 Sam. 5:4-9] 960 B.C.)
Psalm 76)
1 In Judah (great emphasis on the locality. Note the 3 terms, Judah, Salem, Zion, and "there" [v.3]) is God made known: (Or, making Himself known.)
His name is great in Israel. (Named because the taking of Jebus was in connection with David's taking of the throne of Israel)
2 In Salem (the ancient Jebusite name for Jerusalem. Cp. Gen. 14:18. Heb. 7:1,2) also is set up His tabernacle, (I.e. David's tabernacle on Zion. In 18:11 = pavilion, or dwelling)
And His dwelling place in Zion. (This is where David's tabernacle was set up after the taking of Jebus. Cp. 2 Sam. 5:6-10; 6; 7:1,2,&c. Zion had no place in history till this event.)
3 There (emphatic. Heb. sham. Cp. Gen.2:8. Ex. 40:3. Deut. 1:31. 2 Chron. 6:11) has He broken in pieces the arrows of the bow,
The shield, and the sword, and the battle (put for weapons used in battle). Selah. (Connecting the Jebusite defeat with God who gave it: and passing from the 3rd person to the 2nd. Note the emphasis on "You".)
4 You are more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. (The great mountain [Zion] which had become a prey: i.e. a prey seized, as in the next verse; the mighty men had become a spoil, or been plundered.)
5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep:
And none of the men of might have found their hands. (Idiom for helplessness. Like losing heart or finding heart [2 Sam. 7;27])
6 At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. (One word in the Heb. = stunned.)
7 You, even You, art to be feared:
And who may stand in Your sight when once You are angry?
8 You did cause judgment to be heard from heaven;
The earth feared, and was still,
9 When God arose to judgment,
To save all the patient oppressed ones of the earth. Selah. (Connecting God's judgment on Jebusites, and making it a ground of praise)
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You:
The remainder of wrath shall You restrain.
11 Vow, and pay [your vows] to the LORD your God:
Let all that be round about Him bring presents (i.e. a great or ceremonial present) to Him that ought to be feared.
12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes:
He is terrible to the kings of the earth.