Psalm 76:1 Study Bible: [For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm by Asaph. A song.] In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.

◄ Psalm 76:1 ►

God is known in Judah; His name is great in Israel.

God is known
The Hebrew word for "known" is "יָדַע" (yada), which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual awareness. In the context of ancient Israel, this knowledge of God was not just theoretical but was demonstrated through His mighty acts and covenantal relationship with His people. The Israelites experienced God's presence and power firsthand, particularly through events like the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai. This phrase emphasizes the personal and communal relationship that the people of Judah had with God, highlighting the importance of knowing God not just in mind but in heart and life.

in Judah
Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, held a significant place in biblical history. It was the tribe from which King David came, and it was prophesied that the Messiah would come from the line of David (Genesis 49:10). The mention of Judah here underscores the special role this tribe played in God's redemptive plan. Historically, Judah was the southern kingdom after the division of Israel, and Jerusalem, the city where God's temple was located, was within its borders. This geographical and spiritual significance made Judah a central place for the worship and knowledge of God.

His name is great
The "name" of God in Hebrew thought represents His character, reputation, and authority. The greatness of God's name is a recurring theme in the Psalms, reflecting His supreme power, holiness, and the reverence due to Him. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a name carried deep significance, often reflecting the essence and identity of a person. Thus, God's name being "great" signifies His unmatched sovereignty and the awe that His presence commands among His people and the nations.

in Israel
Israel, the collective name for the descendants of Jacob, represents the chosen people of God. The term "Israel" not only refers to the nation but also to the spiritual identity of those who are in covenant with God. Historically, Israel was the nation that God delivered from Egypt, led through the wilderness, and established in the Promised Land. The greatness of God's name in Israel points to His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and His ongoing relationship with His people. It also serves as a reminder of the unity and identity of the people of God, who are called to live in a way that honors His great name.

Persons / Places / Events

1. God
The central figure of the verse, whose attributes and actions are the focus of worship and reverence.

2. Judah
A significant tribe and region in ancient Israel, representing the southern kingdom and often associated with the Davidic line and Jerusalem.

3. Israel
The collective name for the descendants of Jacob, representing the northern kingdom and the people of God as a whole.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Knowing God
Understanding who God is and His attributes is foundational for faith. In Judah, God was known, indicating a relationship and revelation that we should seek in our own lives.

The Significance of God's Name
God's name represents His character and authority. As believers, we are called to honor and proclaim His name, recognizing its power and significance in our lives.

Unity in Worship
The mention of both Judah and Israel highlights the unity of God's people in worship. Despite divisions, the greatness of God's name unites believers in praise and purpose.

Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the historical context of Judah and Israel helps us appreciate the depth of God's revelation and His ongoing work among His people.

Personal Reflection and Response
Reflect on how God is known in your life and community. Consider ways to make His name great through your actions and testimony.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the knowledge of God in Judah relate to our personal knowledge of God today?

2. In what ways can we make God's name great in our own communities, similar to how it was in Israel?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to deepen our understanding of God's character and attributes?

4. How does the unity of Judah and Israel in acknowledging God's greatness inspire us to seek unity within the body of Christ?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's greatness in your life. How can this experience encourage others in their faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 49:8-10
This passage speaks of Judah's prominence among the tribes, foreshadowing the significance of God's presence and revelation in Judah.

Exodus 3:13-15
God's name is revealed to Moses, emphasizing the importance of His name being known and revered among His people.

1 Kings 8:23
Solomon's prayer acknowledges God's greatness and His covenant with Israel, paralleling the themes of God's known presence and greatness.

Isaiah 12:4-6
This passage encourages proclaiming God's name and deeds among the nations, similar to the acknowledgment of His greatness in Israel.

Sermons

Great Because Known	S. Conway	Psalm 76:1
Ways of Knowing God	R. Tuck	Psalm 76:1
A Psalm of Triumph	C. Short	Psalm 76:1-12
Glorious Aspects of the Divine Character	A. K. H. Boyd, D. D.	Psalm 76:1-12
The Triumphs of God	S. Conway	Psalm 76:1-12

People

Asaph, Jacob, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Asaph, 76, Chief, Choirmaster, Gt, Instruments, Judah, Leader, Lt, Music, Musician, Music-maker, Neginoth, Overseer, Psalm, Song, Stringed, String-music

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 76:

     5420   music
     5421   musical instruments
     7963   song

Library

Letter Xlviii to Magister Walter De Chaumont.
To Magister [75] Walter de Chaumont. He exhorts him to flee from the world, advising him to prefer the cause and the interests of his soul to those of parents. MY DEAR WALTER, I often grieve my heart about you whenever the most pleasant remembrance of you comes back to me, seeing how you consume in vain occupations the flower of your youth, the sharpness of your intellect, the store of your learning and skill, and also, what is more excellent in a Christian than all of these gifts, the pure and innocent …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83] …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Concerning Jonathan, one of the Sicarii, that Stirred up a Sedition in Cyrene, and was a False Accuser [Of the Innocent].
1. And now did the madness of the Sicarii, like a disease, reach as far as the cities of Cyrene; for one Jonathan, a vile person, and by trade a weaver, came thither and prevailed with no small number of the poorer sort to give ear to him; he also led them into the desert, upon promising them that he would show them signs and apparitions. And as for the other Jews of Cyrene, he concealed his knavery from them, and put tricks upon them; but those of the greatest dignity among them informed Catullus, …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Jerusalem
The first name of this city was Shalem, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 76:2, and it is still retained in the writing, however it is read Jerushalaim. "The name of that place is Jehovah-jireh. Abraham called the place Jireh; Shem called it Shalem. Saith God, If I shall call it Jireh, it will displease Shem the Just; if I shall call it Shalem, it will displease Abraham the Just. I will therefore put that name upon it which was put upon it by both, Jireh, Shalem,--Jerusalem."--"We do not, therefore, put Jod between …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Question Lxxxii of Devotion
I. Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Meaning of the Term "Devotion" S. Augustine, Confessions, XIII. viii. 2 II. Is Devotion an Act of the Virtue of Religion? III. Is Contemplation, that is Meditation, the Cause of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Causes of Devotion " " On the Devotion of Women IV. Is Joy an Effect of Devotion? Cardinal Cajetan, On Melancholy S. Augustine, Confessions, II. x. I Is Devotion a Special Kind of Act? It is by our acts that we merit. But …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Question Lxxxi of the virtue of Religion
I. Does the Virtue of Religion Direct a Man To God Alone? S. Augustine, sermon, cccxxxiv. 3 " on Psalm lxxvi. 32 sermon, cccxi. 14-15 II. Is Religion a Virtue? III. Is Religion One Virtue? IV. Is Religion a Special Virtue Distinct From Others? V. Is Religion One of the Theological Virtues? VI. Is Religion To Be Preferred To the Other Moral Virtues? VII. Has Religion, Or Latria, Any External Acts? S. Augustine, of Care for the Dead, V. VIII. Is Religion the Same As Sanctity? Cardinal Cajetan, …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards was Archdeacon of Langres
To a Youth Named Fulk, Who Afterwards Was Archdeacon of Langres He gravely warns Fulk, a Canon Regular, whom an uncle had by persuasions and promises drawn back to the world, to obey God and be faithful to Him rather than to his uncle. To the honourable young man Fulk, Brother Bernard, a sinner, wishes such joy in youth as in old age he will not regret. 1. I do not wonder at your surprise; I should wonder if you were not suprised [sic] that I should write to you, a countryman to a citizen, a monk …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Power of God
The next attribute is God's power. Job 9:19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong.' In this chapter is a magnificent description of God's power. Lo, he is strong.' The Hebrew word for strong signifies a conquering, prevailing strength. He is strong.' The superlative degree is intended here; viz., He is most strong. He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. Gen 17:7. His almightiness lies in this, that he can do whatever is feasible. Divines distinguish between authority and power. God has both. …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links

Psalm 76:1 NIV
Psalm 76:1 NLT
Psalm 76:1 ESV
Psalm 76:1 NASB
Psalm 76:1 KJV

Psalm 76:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub