Psalms 76:3
There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֭מָּה
H8033
רִשְׁפֵי
he the arrows
H7565
רִשְׁפֵי
he the arrows
Strong's:
H7565
Word #:
3 of 8
a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever
קָ֑שֶׁת
of the bow
H7198
קָ֑שֶׁת
of the bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
4 of 8
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
מָגֵ֬ן
the shield
H4043
מָגֵ֬ן
the shield
Strong's:
H4043
Word #:
5 of 8
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
וְחֶ֖רֶב
and the sword
H2719
וְחֶ֖רֶב
and the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
6 of 8
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Historical Context
God chose Jerusalem as His dwelling place under David and Solomon (2 Samuel 7, 1 Kings 8). This election made Jerusalem theoretically impregnable—God wouldn't let His house fall. Yet Israel's sin eventually nullified this protection (Jeremiah 7:4-15, Ezekiel 10-11). The true security was always conditional on covenant faithfulness. Christ becomes the ultimate temple where God dwells permanently (John 2:19-21).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's presence provide security that no physical fortress can match?
- In what ways do Christians wrongly trust religious institutions or traditions rather than God's actual presence?
- How does Christ as the true temple guarantee permanent divine presence with believers (Matthew 28:20)?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm celebrates Jerusalem's security: "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion" (Hebrew va-y-hi v-Shalem sukko u-m-onato v-Tzion). "Salem" is poetic for Jerusalem (Genesis 14:18), meaning "peace." "Tabernacle" (Hebrew sukkah) and "dwelling place" (Hebrew me-onah) emphasize God's choice to dwell among His people. God's presence makes Zion secure—not walls, armies, or geography, but divine habitation. This anticipates John 1:14, Christ "tabernacled" among us.