Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Then the Lord {H136} awaked {H3364}{H8799)} as one out of sleep {H3463}, and like a mighty man {H1368} that shouteth {H7442}{H8711)} by reason of wine {H3196}.

Then Adonai awoke, as if from sleep, like a warrior shouting for joy from wine.

Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 78 is a sweeping historical psalm, recounting God's faithfulness to Israel from the Exodus through the establishment of David's reign, despite their persistent rebellion. Verses 60-64 describe a period of divine judgment where God seemingly "forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh" and allowed His people, including priests and warriors, to fall. This particular verse, Psalm 78:65, marks a dramatic turning point. It follows a dark period where God's presence, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, was captured by the Philistines, as detailed in 1 Samuel 4. The verse depicts God's decisive and powerful intervention after a time of apparent silence or withdrawal.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention: The central theme is God's active and powerful re-engagement in the affairs of His people. After a period of allowing consequences to unfold, He dramatically steps in.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: The imagery emphasizes God's absolute control and irresistible might. His "awakening" is not a literal slumber, but an anthropomorphic description of His decisive shift from apparent inaction to overwhelming action.
  • Judgment and Restoration: This verse foreshadows the judgment against the Philistines and the eventual restoration of God's order through the choosing of David and Zion.

Linguistic Insights

The verse uses vivid, anthropomorphic language to describe God's actions:

  • "Awaked as one out of sleep": The Hebrew word is yaqats (ื™ึธืงึทืฅ), meaning "to awake" or "to rouse oneself." This powerful metaphor conveys a sudden, decisive, and forceful intervention after a period of seeming inactivity or patience. It highlights God's purposeful timing, not His actual negligence.
  • "Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine": The term "mighty man" is gibbor (ื’ึดึผื‘ึผื•ึนืจ), often referring to a warrior or hero. The comparison to one shouting "by reason of wine" (yayin, ื™ึทื™ึดืŸ) does not imply intoxication or recklessness, but rather a warrior roused to full strength, perhaps invigorated or emboldened, ready to act with overwhelming power and a triumphant or fierce cry. It suggests an unstoppable force and a loud, declarative presence. This imagery parallels other descriptions of God as a divine warrior.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a warning for believers today:

  • God's Timeliness: It reminds us that even in times of apparent divine silence, struggle, or when evil seems to prevail, God is not absent or powerless. His "awakening" signifies His perfect timing and irresistible might, bringing about deliverance and judgment when necessary. This offers great comfort and reassurance, much like the assurance that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
  • Confidence in God's Sovereignty: We can trust that God is always in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic or hopeless. His power is ultimate, and He will act decisively for His purposes and for the good of His people.
  • A Call to Endurance: This passage encourages patience and steadfast faith during periods of waiting, knowing that God's intervention, when it comes, will be swift and powerful.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 44:23

    Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.

  • Psalms 7:6

    Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

  • Isaiah 42:13

    ยถ The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

  • Isaiah 42:14

    I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, [and] refrained myself: [now] will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

  • Isaiah 51:9

    ยถ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?

  • Psalms 73:20

    As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
โ† Back