1To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A song. IN JUDAH God is known and renowned; His name is highly praised and is great in Israel.
2In [Jeru]Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place is in Zion.
3There He broke the bow's flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
4Glorious and excellent are You from the mountains of prey [splendid and majestic, more than the everlasting mountains].
5The stouthearted are stripped of their spoil, they have slept the sleep [of death]; and none of the men of might could raise their hands.
6At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both chariot [rider] and horse are cast into a dead sleep [of death]. [Exod. 15:1, 21; Nah. 2:13; Zech. 12:4.]
7You, even You, are to be feared [with awe and reverence]! Who may stand in Your presence when once Your anger is roused?
8You caused sentence to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still--
9When God arose to [establish] judgment, to save all the meek and oppressed of the earth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
10Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; the remainder of wrath shall You restrain and gird and arm Yourself with it.
11Vow and pay to the Lord your God; let all who are round about Him bring presents to Him Who ought to be [reverently] feared.
12He will cut off the spirit [of pride and fury] of princes; He is terrible to the [ungodly] kings of the earth.