Bible Strands
Psalms 76:6
At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist declares God's absolute power over military force, directly following the observation that valiant warriors are plundered and paralyzed. The address "O God of Jacob" grounds this declaration in covenant history, emphasizing divine intervention on behalf of His people.
The words — The Hebrew מִגַּעֲרָתְךָ (mi.ga'ara.te.kha) means "from your rebuke," and נִרְדָּם (nir.dam) translates literally as "they were sleeping" or "were stunned." These terms describe a sudden, disabling paralysis rather than a prolonged battle.
The thread — The motif of defeated horse and rider recalls the Red Sea victory in Exodus 15:1 and Exodus 15:21, where divine power casts military forces into the waters. It also aligns with the theme of destruction at God's rebuke in Psalm 80:16.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that human military strength is instantly neutralized by divine judgment. It leaves the reader with the factual conclusion that no alliance or weapon can withstand God's direct intervention.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.
Cross-references
- Exodus 15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
- Exodus 15:21 And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”
- Psalms 80:16 Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
- Exodus 14:27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea.
- Exodus 15:10 But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
- Ezekiel 39:20 And at My table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and warriors of every kind,’ declares the Lord GOD.
- Exodus 15:4 Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.
- 1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head, and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
- 2 Samuel 10:18 But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.
- Psalms 18:15 The channels of the sea appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.