Psalms 76:5
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.
Original Language Analysis
אֶשְׁתּוֹלְל֨וּ׀
are spoiled
H7997
אֶשְׁתּוֹלְל֨וּ׀
are spoiled
Strong's:
H7997
Word #:
1 of 11
to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder
לֵ֭ב
H3820
לֵ֭ב
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 11
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מָצְא֖וּ
have found
H4672
מָצְא֖וּ
have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁי
and none of the men
H582
אַנְשֵׁי
and none of the men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
Cross References
Psalms 13:3Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;Nahum 3:18Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.Isaiah 46:12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:Jeremiah 51:39In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.Isaiah 31:8Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.Daniel 4:37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Historical Context
This likely describes Sennacherib's army destroyed by God's angel (2 Kings 19:35-37, Isaiah 37:36-38). 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died overnight without Judah fighting. Pharaoh's army similarly perished at the Red Sea (Exodus 14-15). These demonstrate that God "makes wars to cease" (Psalm 46:9). Revelation 19:11-21 depicts Christ's return conquering enemies effortlessly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's ability to render mighty warriors helpless challenge trust in human strength or military power?
- What "stouthearted" opposition (personal or cultural) needs God's intervention in your life?
- How does Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan demonstrate ultimate divine power over all enemies?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalm describes God's victory: "The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands" (Hebrew eshtalelu abbirey-lev namu sh-natam v-lo-matzu khol-anshe-chayil y-deyhem). "Stouthearted" (bold warriors) are "spoiled" (plundered). "Slept their sleep" is euphemism for death. "Men of might" (warriors) cannot "find their hands"—paralyzed, helpless. God renders powerful enemies powerless. Military might means nothing when God opposes.