Psalms 76:1

Authorized King James Version

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In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

Original Language Analysis

נוֹדָ֣ע known H3045
נוֹדָ֣ע known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 1 of 6
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
בִּֽיהוּדָ֣ה In Judah H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֣ה In Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 2 of 6
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֱלֹהִ֑ים is God H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים is God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 6
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel H3478
בְּ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל in Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 6
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
גָּד֥וֹל is great H1419
גָּד֥וֹל is great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 5 of 6
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
שְׁמֽוֹ׃ his name H8034
שְׁמֽוֹ׃ his name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 6 of 6
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

Analysis & Commentary

In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. This psalm of Zion celebrates God's dramatic intervention to defend His people. The opening verse establishes location and reputation: God has made Himself known in the territory and among the people He has chosen.

"In Judah is God known" (noda biYhudah Elohim, נוֹדָע בִּיהוּדָה אֱלֹהִים) uses the passive form of yada (to know). God has made Himself known—not through abstract revelation but through mighty acts witnessed in Judah. "Judah" was the southern kingdom, containing Jerusalem and the temple, the center of Davidic rule and Yahweh worship after the kingdom divided.

"His name is great in Israel" (beYisra'el gadol shemo, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל גָּדוֹל שְׁמוֹ) parallels the first clause, extending from Judah to all Israel. God's "name" (shem) represents His revealed character, reputation, and renown. That His name is "great" (gadol) means it commands respect, inspires awe, and excels all competitors. Among God's covenant people, His reputation stands supreme.

The verse celebrates particularity: God has chosen to reveal Himself in specific places to specific people. While God is universal Creator, He has made Himself known especially through Israel's history. This particularity serves universal purpose—through Israel, all nations would eventually know Yahweh.

Historical Context

Psalm 76 is traditionally associated with Sennacherib's siege of Jerusalem in 701 BCE. The Assyrian king besieged Jerusalem during Hezekiah's reign, and the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night (2 Kings 19:35). This miraculous deliverance demonstrated God's power to protect Zion and became a paradigm of divine intervention.

The psalm's references to breaking arrows, shields, and swords (verse 3), and to stouthearted warriors being "spoiled" and sleeping their last sleep (verse 5), fit this military context. God's "rebuke" that caused chariot and horse to fall into "dead sleep" (verse 6) may allude to the angel's nighttime destruction of the Assyrian army.

Jerusalem's survival while surrounding cities fell to Assyria was remarkable. Sennacherib's own records (the Taylor Prism) boast of capturing 46 Judean cities but never claim to have taken Jerusalem—a notable omission given Assyrian propaganda's tendency to exaggerate victories.

Questions for Reflection