Psalms 76 - Introduction

LXXVI.

The LXX. (followed by the Vulgate) have added to the Hebrew inscription of this psalm the words “to the Assyrian,” indicating that at an early period it was, as it is still by many modern scholars, connected with the overthrow of Sennacherib. Certainly the Psalms 76:5 are most suitable to that event. On the other hand, the phrase in Psalms 76:9, “all the afflicted of the land,” breathes of a time of national oppression, and suggests a later date. Psalms 76:8 compared with Psalms 76:7 of Psalms 75 lead to the conclusion that both were inspired by the Song of Hannah and may both refer to the same circumstances. And some critics not only bring it into the Maccabæan age, but fix on the victory of Judas over Seron (1 Maccabees 3) as the actual event celebrated in this poem. The versification is quite regular.

Title. — See title Psalms 4, 50, 65