Psalms 78:65

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 78:65 marks a dramatic and pivotal moment in a sweeping historical psalm, depicting God's powerful and decisive re-engagement in the affairs of His people after a period of apparent withdrawal and severe judgment. Employing vivid anthropomorphic imagery, the verse portrays the Lord as "awakening from sleep" and acting "like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine," symbolizing His sudden, irresistible intervention to reclaim His honor, defeat His adversaries, and restore His covenant people. It powerfully underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to His purposes, and His perfect timing in bringing about deliverance and justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 78 is a lengthy _maskil_ (instructive psalm) that masterfully recounts the history of Israel from the Exodus to the establishment of David's reign. Its primary purpose is didactic, serving as a narrative of God's enduring faithfulness despite Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness. The immediate preceding verses ([Psalms 78:60-64](/psalms/78-60-64 "Psalms 78:60-64 - God Abandons Shiloh")) describe a period of profound divine judgment, specifically highlighting the abandonment of the tabernacle at Shiloh and the devastating capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines, which led to the tragic death of priests and warriors. This dark period, detailed comprehensively in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark"), represents a spiritual and national nadir where God's presence seemed to have departed from His people. Verse 65 dramatically shifts the narrative trajectory, signaling God's decisive and powerful intervention, which then leads to the defeat of the Philistines ([Psalms 78:66](/psalms/78-66 "Psalms 78:66 - God Strikes Down His Enemies")), the rejection of Ephraim, and the ultimate divine choosing of Judah, Mount Zion, and David as His shepherd ([Psalms 78:67-72](/psalms/78-67-72 "Psalms 78:67-72 - God Chooses Judah, Zion, and David")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 78:65 is the tumultuous period immediately following the Philistine capture of the Ark of the Covenant, as vividly recorded in [1 Samuel 4-6](/1_samuel/4-6 "1 Samuel 4-6 - The Capture and Return of the Ark"). Shiloh, situated in the territory of Ephraim, had functioned as the central sanctuary for Israel throughout the period of the Judges, serving as the dwelling place for the Ark. Its destruction and the Ark's capture were perceived as an unparalleled national catastrophe and a clear sign of profound divine displeasure. The imagery of a "mighty man" (Hebrew: _gibbor_) resonates deeply with the cultural understanding of a formidable warrior, a hero, or a champion—one who possesses immense strength, prowess, and an indomitable spirit in battle. The phrase "shouteth by reason of wine" should not be misconstrued as implying intoxication or recklessness. Rather, it evokes the image of a warrior invigorated, emboldened, or roused to a triumphant, powerful battle cry. This signifies an unstoppable force, a loud and declarative presence of overwhelming power, much like a warrior celebrating a decisive victory or preparing for a final, unyielding assault.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout Psalm 78 and foundational to broader biblical theology. It unequivocally highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**, emphasizing that God is never truly passive or absent, even when His people experience severe judgment or when evil appears to prevail. His "awakening" signifies His perfect timing and irresistible might, demonstrating His absolute control over the course of history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. Furthermore, it underscores the profound biblical theme of **Judgment and Restoration**, as God's intervention here leads directly to the judgment of the Philistines and the subsequent restoration of His divine order through the establishment of Jerusalem (Zion) and the Davidic monarchy, marking a significant transition from the rejection of Shiloh and Ephraim to the divine choosing of Judah, as explicitly stated in [Psalms 78:67-68](/psalms/78-67-68 "Psalms 78:67-68 - Rejection of Ephraim, Choice of Judah"). The strategic use of anthropomorphic language also powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Active Presence**, making His transcendent actions relatable and deeply impactful for human understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Awaked (Hebrew, _yâqats'_):** This verb (H3364) signifies "to awake" or "to be awake." In this context, applied to the Lord, it is a profound anthropomorphism. It does not suggest God was literally asleep or negligent, but rather that He was in a state of apparent inactivity or patient forbearance, allowing the consequences of Israel's sin to unfold. His "awakening" thus denotes a sudden, decisive, and forceful shift from this seeming passivity to overwhelming, purposeful action, signaling the end of His patience and the commencement of His intervention.
* **Mighty man (Hebrew, _gibbôwr'_):** This term (H1368) refers to a powerful individual, specifically a "warrior" or "champion." It conveys strength, valor, and military prowess. When applied to God, it emphasizes His incomparable strength and His role as the divine warrior who fights for His people and executes justice. This imagery aligns with other biblical descriptions of God as a formidable "man of war" (e.g., [Exodus 15:3](/exodus/15-3 "Exodus 15:3 - The Lord is a Man of War")).
* **Shouteth (Hebrew, _rânan'_):** This primitive root (H7442) means "to shout," usually "for joy," or "to cry out." The phrase "by reason of wine" (H3196, _yayin_) further qualifies this shout. The "wine" here is not indicative of intoxication leading to recklessness, but rather of a warrior invigorated, emboldened, or roused to full, unrestrained strength and a declarative shout of victory or readiness for battle. It suggests an overwhelming, unstoppable force and a powerful, perhaps even boisterous, expression of might and determination, signaling an end to the enemy's perceived advantage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep":** This clause introduces a dramatic and abrupt shift in the narrative of Psalm 78. The anthropomorphic depiction of God "awakening" signifies a transition from a period of apparent divine withdrawal or patient allowance—during which Israel suffered profound judgment and the Ark was captured—to a moment of decisive, forceful, and active intervention. It powerfully underscores God's purposeful timing, not His literal slumber, and emphasizes the suddenness and overwhelming power of His re-engagement in the affairs of His people.
* **"and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.":** This vivid simile further elaborates on the nature of God's awakening and intervention. He is compared to a powerful warrior who, invigorated or emboldened, lets out a triumphant or fierce battle cry. This imagery conveys overwhelming strength, irresistible resolve, and a declarative presence that signals the imminent defeat of His adversaries. It speaks to God's readiness to act with unbridled power and a victorious declaration, bringing an end to the period of suffering and initiating swift and decisive judgment against those who afflicted His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 78:65 is exceptionally rich in **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics and actions—specifically sleeping, waking, and shouting—to God. This literary device makes the divine actions relatable and profoundly impactful, allowing the psalmist to convey God's dramatic shift from apparent inactivity to powerful intervention without diminishing His transcendence or omnipotence. The phrase "as one out of sleep" functions as a striking **Simile**, directly comparing God's re-engagement to a person rousing from slumber, thereby highlighting the suddenness, decisiveness, and purposeful nature of His action. Similarly, "like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine" is another potent **Simile**, equating God's invigorated and triumphant intervention to a formidable warrior's decisive and powerful cry. The "sleep" itself can be understood as a profound **Metaphor** for God's patient forbearance or apparent non-intervention during a period of judgment or trial, a state that then gives way to His active, overwhelming, and ultimately victorious power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 78:65 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's active sovereignty and His perfect, often unexpected, timing. Even when circumstances suggest divine silence, absence, or apparent passivity, this verse assures us that God is neither unaware nor powerless. His "awakening" is a powerful reminder that He is always in control, and His interventions, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, are always decisive and perfectly timed to fulfill His eternal purposes and vindicate His covenant people. It speaks to the mystery of divine patience and the absolute certainty of divine justice, promising that God will ultimately act to overcome evil and restore His order, often with overwhelming and triumphant power that leaves no doubt as to His identity and authority.

* [Isaiah 51:9](/isaiah/51-9 "Isaiah 51:9 - The Arm of the Lord Awakes")
* [Psalm 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23 - Why do you sleep, O Lord?")
* [Isaiah 42:13](/isaiah/42-13 "Isaiah 42:13 - The Lord Goes Forth Like a Mighty Man of War")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers immense encouragement and a profound call to steadfast faith for believers navigating the complexities of life today. In a world often marked by chaos, pervasive injustice, or deep personal suffering, it is profoundly easy to feel that God is distant, silent, or inactive. However, Psalms 78:65 serves as a potent reminder that God's apparent "sleep" is never literal negligence or indifference, but rather a purposeful period of allowing consequences to unfold or working in ways we cannot yet discern. His "awakening" assures us that He will always intervene decisively and powerfully, bringing about justice, deliverance, and restoration in His perfect and sovereign timing. This foundational truth calls us to cultivate profound patience and unwavering trust, knowing that our God is eternally sovereign, incomparably mighty, and ultimately victorious. It challenges us to look beyond immediate, often disheartening, circumstances and to cling with unshakeable conviction to the certainty of His ultimate triumph, finding deep comfort and strength in His unwavering commitment to His people and His grand redemptive purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God "awakening from sleep" challenge our perceptions of divine silence or inactivity in our own lives or in the broader world?**
* **What profound comfort and assurance can we draw from the portrayal of God as a "mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine" when we face overwhelming challenges, injustices, or periods of waiting?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to endure with patience, unwavering hope, and active faith during seasons when we are waiting for God's powerful intervention?**
* **In what practical ways can we better align our trust with God's perfect timing and sovereign plan, even when it significantly differs from our own expectations or desires?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply God literally sleeps or is negligent?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God literally sleeps or is ever negligent. The language used is **anthropomorphic**, meaning it attributes human characteristics (like sleeping and waking) to God to help us understand His actions in human terms. In this context, God's "sleep" is a profound metaphor for a period of apparent divine inactivity, patient forbearance, or allowing consequences to unfold, during which His people suffered. His "awakening" signifies a dramatic, decisive, and purposeful shift from this state to one of powerful intervention and judgment, demonstrating His absolute control and perfect timing. It highlights His active re-engagement, not a literal change in His omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent nature.

**What is the significance of the "shouting by reason of wine" imagery?**

Answer: The phrase "shouteth by reason of wine" is a vivid and powerful simile that describes God's triumphant and decisive re-engagement. It does not suggest divine intoxication or recklessness. Instead, "wine" here is associated with invigoration, strength, and celebration, much like a warrior emboldened and ready for decisive action. The "shout" is a powerful, declarative cry—a battle cry or a shout of victory—signaling overwhelming might, an unstoppable force, and God's readiness to execute judgment and deliver His people. It emphasizes the unbridled power and triumphant nature of God's intervention, similar to how the Lord is depicted as a mighty warrior in [Isaiah 42:13](/isaiah/42-13 "Isaiah 42:13 - The Lord Goes Forth Like a Mighty Man of War").

**How does this verse relate to God's judgment and restoration?**

Answer: This verse marks a pivotal moment in Psalm 78, signaling the dramatic conclusion of a period of severe divine judgment (specifically the Philistine capture of the Ark and the desolation of Shiloh, as detailed in [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark")). God's "awakening" initiates His powerful judgment against the Philistines and, subsequently, His profound work of restoration for Israel. This restoration involves the rejection of Ephraim and the choosing of Judah, Mount Zion, and David as His chosen king and dwelling place ([Psalms 78:67-72](/psalms/78-67-72 "Psalms 78:67-72 - God Rejects Ephraim, Chooses Judah and David")). Thus, the verse serves as the dramatic turning point where God shifts from allowing His people to experience the full consequences of their rebellion to actively intervening to defeat their enemies and re-establish His covenant order and redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 78:65 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "awakening" of the Lord, like a mighty warrior roused to decisive action, powerfully foreshadows God's ultimate and most significant intervention in human history through His Son. While God never literally sleeps, the long period of waiting for the Messiah, the "fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent Forth His Son")), can be understood as a divine patience that culminated in Christ's advent. Jesus, as the ultimate "mighty man" and divine warrior, demonstrated God's overwhelming power and triumph over the forces of darkness. His glorious resurrection from the dead was the definitive "awakening," a decisive act of God's power that conquered sin, death, and the grave itself ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"), where He disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them). The vivid "shouteth by reason of wine" imagery finds its most profound resonance in Christ's triumphant cry on the cross, "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It is Finished")), signifying the completed work of redemption and the decisive defeat of the enemy. Ultimately, Christ is the victorious warrior, the Lamb who was slain but now reigns, destined to return as the Rider on the white horse, executing righteous judgment and establishing His eternal kingdom with a triumphant roar that will shake the heavens and the earth ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

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

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

¶ 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

¶ 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.