This psalm is one of those which in the title are ascribed to Asaph (see Introduction to Psalms 73), and there is no reason to call in question that statement. On the phrase “To the chief Musician on Neginoth,” see Introduction to Psalms 4:1-8.
The occasion on which the psalm was composed is not stated, and cannot now be ascertained. The Septuagint regards it as having had reference to the Assyrians - ᾠδὴ προς τὸν Ἀσσύριον hōdē pros ton Assurion - “An ode to the Assyrian.” So the Latin Vulgate; Canticum ad Assyrios. This is the opinion adopted also by Jarchi. The title in the Syriac version is, “When Rabbah of the Ammonites was laid waste; and further it describes the judment of the Messiah against the wicked. Grotius supposes that it was intended to describe the victory over the Ammonites. Rudinger ascribes its composition to the time of the Maccabees. DeWette supposes that it refers to some late period of the Jewish history, but that the particular time is unknown. It would be vain to attempt to ascertain with any certainty the particular occasion on which the psalm was composed. It was evidently on some occasion when an attack had been made on “Salem,” that is, on Jerusalem Psalms 76:2-3, and when that attack had been repelled, and the enemy had been driven back. Many of the circumstances in the psalm. would agree well with the account of the invasion of the Assyrians under Sennacherib, but there were many other occasions in the Jewish history to which it would, in like manner, be applicable.
The psalm is a song of praise for deliverance from an enemy. The contents are as follows:
I. The fact that God had made himself known “in Judah,” or to the Jewish people - or, that he had manifested himself to them in a remarkable manner, Psalms 76:1.
II. The fact that he had showed this in a special manner in “Salem,” the capital of the nation - referring to some particular time in which this was done, Psalms 76:2.
III. The manner in which he had done this - by breaking the arrows of the bow, and the shield; by showing that his power was superior to all the defenses which men had set up; and by overcoming entirely the invading foe, Psalms 76:3-6.
IV. The fact that, on this account, God was to be feared and reverenced, Psalms 76:7-9.
V. The statement of a great truth, and a most important principle, which had been particularly illustrated by the occurrence; to wit, that the wrath of man would be made to praise God, and that the remainder of wrath he would restrain, Psalms 76:10.
VI. A call on all people to acknowledge God in a suitable manner, by bringing presents, and by standing in awe of him, Psalms 76:11-12.