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Psalms 76:3

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There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Selah.

There brake {H7665}{H8765)} he the arrows {H7565} of the bow {H7198}, the shield {H4043}, and the sword {H2719}, and the battle {H4421}. Selah {H5542}.

There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. (Selah)

There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah

There he brake the arrows of the bow; The shield, and the sword, and the battle. [Selah

Commentary

Psalms 76:3 powerfully declares God's decisive victory over those who oppose Him and His people. It vividly portrays the Lord's absolute power to dismantle the instruments of war and put an end to conflict.

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 76 is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving, likely composed after a significant divine deliverance of Judah or Jerusalem from a formidable enemy. Many scholars attribute this psalm to the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian army under King Sennacherib, who besieged Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah (around 701 BC). The preceding verses establish God's presence in "Salem" (Jerusalem) and "Zion." Verse 3 specifically describes God's direct intervention, where He "brake" (shattered) the weapons of the enemy, making their might utterly useless. This historical event, detailed in 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36, showcases God as the ultimate defender of His holy city and covenant people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty in Conflict: The verse highlights God's supreme authority over all earthly powers and battles. He is not merely an observer but an active participant who can instantly disarm and defeat any foe.
  • God as Protector and Deliverer: It underscores God's role as the mighty defender of His people. When human strength fails, God's power is revealed as invincible, providing ultimate security and deliverance.
  • The Futility of Human Warfare Against God: The breaking of "arrows," "shield," and "sword" symbolizes the complete impotence of human military might when it stands against the Lord. All human plans and weapons are rendered useless in His presence.
  • Cessation of Battle: The phrase "and the battle" suggests that God not only destroys the weapons but also brings an end to the very conflict itself, ushering in peace. This points to God's ultimate desire for peace and His ability to establish it.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "brake" is shabar (שָׁבַר), which means to break, shatter, or tear down. It conveys a sense of complete and utter destruction, emphasizing that the weapons were not just damaged but rendered entirely useless.
  • "Selah" (סֶלָה) is a common musical or liturgical notation found throughout the Psalms. It typically signifies a pause for reflection, contemplation, or a musical interlude, inviting the reader or listener to meditate on the profound truth just stated. In this context, it emphasizes the astounding nature of God's intervention.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with other scriptures that depict God as a mighty warrior and deliverer:

  • Exodus 15:3: "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
  • Psalm 46:9: "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire." This verse offers a parallel imagery of God disarming nations.
  • Isaiah 2:4: Prophesies a time when nations "shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." This ultimate vision of peace is rooted in God's power to end conflict.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 76:3 is a powerful reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of the world and in our personal lives. When we face overwhelming challenges, spiritual battles, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign power. He is capable of breaking down any weapon, dismantling any scheme, and bringing peace to chaotic situations. It calls us to place our hope not in human strength or resources, but in the invincible might of the Lord, who is our ultimate refuge and deliverer. Just as He protected Jerusalem, He continues to protect and fight for His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 46:9 (7 votes)

    He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

  • Ezekiel 39:3 (2 votes)

    And I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

  • Ezekiel 39:4 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that [is] with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and [to] the beasts of the field to be devoured.

  • Ezekiel 39:9 (2 votes)

    And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

  • Ezekiel 39:10 (2 votes)

    So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 (1 votes)

    And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 (1 votes)

    And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.