Psalm 76 Catholic: In Judea God Is Known, His Place Is Peace

Psalm 76 celebrates God’s victory over the enemies of his city: “In Judea God is known: his name is great in Israel. And his place is in peace: and his abode in Sion: There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battle.” In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 75. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.

Psalm 76 in the Douay-Rheims Bible

Unto the end, in praises, a psalm for Asaph: a canticle to the Assyrians.
In Judea God is known: his name is great in Israel.
And his place is in peace: and his abode in Sion:
There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battle.
Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills.
All the foolish of heart were troubled. They have slept their sleep; and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback.
Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath.
Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still,
When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
For the thought of man shall give praise to thee: and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee.
Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God: all you that are round about him bring presents. To him that is terrible,
Even to him who taketh away the spirit of princes: to the terrible with the kings of the earth.

Psalm 76 or Psalm 75?

The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 75 is Psalm 76 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Notus in Iudaea Deus. See how many psalms are there?

What the psalm means

God makes himself known: in Judea, in Israel, in Sion, the place God chose to dwell.
His place is peace: the Latin in pace factus est locus eius; Salem, the old name of Jerusalem, means peace. St. Irenaeus quoted this verse as a prophecy of Christ.
God breaks weapons: “the shield, the sword, and the battle.”
God judges to save the meek: “When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.”
Vows to God: all are invited to bring gifts to the One who is to be feared.

How the Church uses Psalm 76

In the Liturgy of the Hours.
For peace, as a prayer that God will end war. See the Catholic prayer for peace.

A prayer with Psalm 76

Written for this page:

Lord, you are known in your holy city, and your dwelling place is peace.
Break the weapons of war, the bow, the shield and the sword.
Arise to judge the earth and save the humble.
Let all nations know your name and bring you their gifts. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

What is Psalm 76 about?

God’s victory over the enemies of Jerusalem, his dwelling place of peace, and his judgment that saves the humble.

Psalm 76 (75): “In Judea God Is Known,” His Dwelling Is in Sion