Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey.

PSALMS 76:4KJV
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Psalms 76:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 76:4 mean?

Psalms 76:4 describes God as more glorious and excellent than the mountains where predators gather their prey, highlighting God’s unmatched splendor and strength. The verse uses the image of powerful, rugged mountains to show that even the mightiest places on earth cannot compare to God’s majesty.

In this psalm, the writer (traditionally Asaph) is speaking to God, reflecting on God’s greatness after a display of divine power—likely a victory over enemies. The “mountains of prey” refer to places where wild animals rule, symbolizing strength and danger, but the psalmist says God’s glory far surpasses even these formidable places.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 76:4

  • “glorious” (אוֹר, ’ôr): This word often means “light” or “radiance.” Here, it emphasizes God’s shining, awe-inspiring presence, not just outward beauty but a brilliance that stands out above all else.
  • “excellent” (אַדִּיר, ’addîr): This word carries the sense of being “majestic” or “mighty.” It underscores God’s power and authority, suggesting not just beauty but commanding greatness.
  • “mountains” (הַר, har): In ancient times, mountains were seen as symbols of strength and security. By comparing God to the “mountains of prey,” the verse points to places considered unassailable, yet says God is greater still.
  • “prey” (טֶרֶף, tereph): This word refers to the spoils or food taken by predators. The “mountains of prey” are likely places where wild animals hunt, representing untamed power, but even these are outshone by God.

Why Psalms 76:4 matters

  • The verse corrects any idea that God’s greatness is just one among many powers in the world; it insists God’s glory is beyond even the most intimidating forces of nature.
  • By using the image of “mountains of prey,” the psalm connects God’s majesty to real, awe-inspiring scenes from the natural world, making the message vivid and relatable.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the psalm, which describes God’s power to defeat enemies and protect His people, grounding those actions in God’s unmatched excellence.

Where else these words appear

“mountains” Hebrew H2042 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 14:6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
  • Psalms 30:7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
  • Psalms 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

“prey” Hebrew H2964 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Psalms 111:5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
  • Ezekiel 19:6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.

“excellent” Hebrew H117 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
  • Psalms 8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
  • Jeremiah 25:35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.

“glorious” Hebrew H215 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
  • Nehemiah 9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
  • Psalms 118:27 God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.