Psalms 76:2

KJV

In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

KJV (with Strong's)

In Salem {H8004} also is his tabernacle {H5520}, and his dwelling place {H4585} in Zion {H6726}.

Complete Jewish Bible

His tent is in Shalem, his place is in Tziyon.

Berean Standard Bible

His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion.

American Standard Version

In Salem also is his tabernacle, And his dwelling-place in Zion.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 76:2 powerfully declares the specific, divinely chosen location of God's manifest presence and authority: "In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion." This verse pinpoints Jerusalem, known by its ancient name Salem and its iconic hill Zion, as the sacred city where the Almighty's glory resides, emphasizing His intimate relationship with His people, His protective oversight, and the secure foundation of His redemptive acts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 76 is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, celebrating God's awesome power and His decisive victory over enemies. The preceding verse, [Psalm 76:1](/psalms/76-1 "Psalm 76:1 - God's Renown"), establishes God's renown and greatness in Judah and Israel, setting the stage for the specific revelation of His dwelling place. Following [Psalm 76:2](/psalms/76-2 "Psalm 76:2 - God's Dwelling in Zion"), the psalm continues to describe God's mighty acts of judgment against the proud and His deliverance of the afflicted (e.g., [Psalm 76:3-6](/psalms/76-3 "Psalm 76:3-6 - God's Victory and Judgment")), reinforcing the idea that His power emanates from this chosen abode. The psalm culminates in a call to worship and fear the God who cuts off the spirit of princes and is awesome to the kings of the earth ([Psalm 76:11-12](/psalms/76-11 "Psalm 76:11-12 - A Call to Worship and Fear")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm likely commemorates a significant historical event where God supernaturally defended Jerusalem, perhaps the miraculous defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army (as hinted in [2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrians") and [Isaiah 37:36](/isaiah/37-36 "Isaiah 37:36 - Isaiah's Prophecy Fulfilled")). In ancient Israelite culture, the presence of God was understood to be localized in specific, consecrated spaces—first the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. This physical dwelling place symbolized God's covenant faithfulness and His commitment to His people. Jerusalem, with its strategic location and historical significance as the City of David, became the spiritual and political capital, making God's dwelling there a powerful statement of His sovereignty over both His people and the nations that threatened them.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalms and broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Presence and Dwelling**, emphasizing God's tangible and committed presence among His people, a concept central to the covenant relationship established at Sinai (e.g., [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - The Command to Build the Tabernacle")). The mention of "tabernacle" and "dwelling place" signifies not a temporary visit, but an established, permanent abode. This leads to the theme of **The Significance of Jerusalem/Zion**, highlighting its unique status as God's chosen earthly abode, a place of divine protection, blessing, and the center of His redemptive plan (e.g., [Psalm 48:1-2](/psalms/48-1 "Psalm 48:1-2 - The Beauty and Security of Zion")). Finally, the name "Salem" introduces the theme of **Peace and Security from God's Presence**, implying that true peace and security for the city and its inhabitants flowed directly from God's dwelling within it, providing order, protection, and wholeness against all adversaries.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salem (שָׁלֵם, _shalem'_):** This is an ancient, poetic name for Jerusalem, meaning "peace" or "completeness." Its use here is highly significant, connecting the city's identity directly to the concept of _shalom_ (peace, wholeness, well-being). It suggests that the peace and security experienced by the city and its inhabitants are not merely political or military, but flow directly from the presence of God within its walls. This name also echoes the figure of Melchizedek, King of Salem, who was a priest of God Most High ([Genesis 14:18](/genesis/14-18 "Genesis 14:18 - Melchizedek, King of Salem")).
* **Tabernacle (סֻכָּה, _sukkah'_):** While often referring to the temporary shelters used during the Feast of Tabernacles, in this context, _sukkah_ can also denote a permanent dwelling, a lair, or a protective covering. It suggests intimacy and security, emphasizing that God's presence is not merely a visitation but an established, protective residence. The term evokes the sacred space where God met with His people, signifying His accessibility and commitment.
* **Zion (צִיּוֹן, _Tsiyyon'_):** Originally a Jebusite fortress, Zion became the "City of David" after its capture by King David ([2 Samuel 5:7](/2_samuel/5-7 "2 Samuel 5:7 - David Captures Zion")). It later became the site of the Temple and evolved into a powerful theological symbol of God's presence, protection, and the spiritual center of His people. Its pairing with "Salem" reinforces the specific geographical and theological identity of Jerusalem as God's chosen dwelling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In Salem also is his tabernacle":** This clause definitively states the location of God's dwelling. "Salem," the ancient name for Jerusalem, immediately links the divine presence with the city of peace. The term "tabernacle" (sukkah) implies a secure, established, and intimate dwelling, not a temporary encampment. It signifies that God has made His home in this specific place, making it sacred and set apart.
* **"and his dwelling place in Zion":** This second clause functions as a parallel intensification and clarification of the first. "Dwelling place" (מְעוֹנָה, _m'onah_) reinforces the idea of a permanent, settled habitation. "Zion" refers to the specific hill within Jerusalem where the City of David and later the Temple were built, becoming synonymous with the holy city itself. The parallelism emphasizes the certainty and specificity of God's chosen abode, underscoring Jerusalem's unique status as the center of divine activity and presence on earth.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 76:2 primarily employs **Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. The two clauses, "In Salem also is his tabernacle" and "and his dwelling place in Zion," express the same core idea using different but related terms, thereby intensifying the meaning. "Salem" and "Zion" are synonymous geographical references for Jerusalem, while "tabernacle" and "dwelling place" are synonymous terms for God's abode. This **Synonymous Parallelism** serves to reinforce the central message: God's presence is definitively and permanently established in Jerusalem. The use of these specific names also functions as **Symbolism**, where "Salem" evokes peace and completeness, and "Zion" represents the secure, holy mountain of God, together symbolizing the spiritual and physical security that God's presence brings to His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 76:2 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's immanence and His choice to dwell among His people. This concept, rooted in the Tabernacle and Temple, signifies God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for intimate relationship. It underscores that divine presence is the source of true peace, security, and victory, transforming a mere city into a holy sanctuary. This principle extends beyond a physical structure, pointing to a deeper reality of God's desire to indwell His creation and His people, culminating in the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity.

* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "God's Glory Fills the Temple")
* [Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2 "Zion as the Center of God's Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While God's physical tabernacle and Temple no longer stand in Jerusalem in the same way, the profound principle of His dwelling place remains profoundly relevant for believers today. God's presence is no longer confined to a physical location but resides within His people through the Holy Spirit. This means that each believer, and the church corporately, becomes a living sanctuary, a carrier of God's presence in the world. Just as God brought peace and security to ancient Salem, His indwelling Spirit brings inner peace, spiritual security, and divine protection to our lives, even amidst the challenges and conflicts of this fallen world. Our lives, individually and collectively, gain profound purpose and significance as we embody and manifest God's presence, becoming agents of His peace and light in our communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's desire to "dwell" with His people, as seen in Psalms 76:2, shape your view of His relationship with you personally?**
* **In what ways can you, as a "temple of the Holy Spirit," intentionally cultivate a greater awareness of God's indwelling presence in your daily life?**
* **How might the concept of God's presence bringing "peace" and "security" to Salem apply to the challenges and anxieties you face today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Salem" and "Zion" in this verse?**

Answer: "Salem" is an ancient, poetic name for Jerusalem, meaning "peace" or "completeness." Its use here connects the city's identity to the concept of _shalom_, suggesting that the peace and security of Jerusalem derive from God's presence within it. "Zion" refers to the specific hill in Jerusalem where the City of David and later the Temple were built. It became a powerful symbol of God's presence, protection, and the spiritual center of His people. The pairing of these two names in [Psalms 76:2](/psalms/76-2 "Psalm 76:2 - God's Dwelling in Zion") emphatically designates Jerusalem as God's chosen earthly dwelling place.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 76:2, with its declaration of God's tabernacle and dwelling place in Salem and Zion, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament Temple was a physical structure symbolizing God's presence, Jesus Himself is the true "tabernacle" of God among humanity, the very embodiment of God's dwelling with us. As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") states, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." In Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a geographical location or a building, but is fully realized in a person. Furthermore, through Christ's atoning work, believers become the new "temple" of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) and are built together into a spiritual house, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling")). This foreshadows the glorious future when God will permanently dwell with humanity in the new creation, as beautifully described in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity in the New Creation"): "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." Thus, the physical dwelling in Zion points forward to the spiritual indwelling in Christ and the eternal co-habitation in the new heavens and new earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 14:18

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Psalms 132:13

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

Psalms 132:14

This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

2 Chronicles 6:6

But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

Psalms 27:5

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Lamentations 2:6

And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as [if it were of] a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.