At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

PSALMS 76:6KJV
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Psalms 76:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 76:6 mean?

Psalms 76:6 says that when God gives a strong command, even powerful war machines like chariots and horses are stopped completely, as if they have fallen into a deep, helpless sleep. The verse highlights God’s ability to halt the mightiest forces with just a word.

This verse is part of a psalm written by Asaph, speaking to God and reflecting on God’s power to defend His people. The context is likely a time of threat or battle, showing that no matter how strong an enemy’s army seems, God’s authority is greater and can instantly bring their strength to nothing.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 76:6

  • "rebuke" (גְּעָרָה, ge‘arah): This word means a sharp command or reprimand. In this verse, it shows that God does not need to fight physically; His authoritative word alone is enough to bring about total defeat.
  • "chariot" (רֶכֶב, rekhev) and "horse" (סוּס, sus): These were the main symbols of military power in ancient times. Mentioning both emphasizes that even the best-equipped armies are powerless before God.
  • "sleep" (תַּרְדֵּמָה, tardemah): This word often means a deep or unnatural sleep, sometimes used for a sleep sent by God. Here, it suggests a sudden, overwhelming helplessness that God can bring on His enemies.

Why Psalms 76:6 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that God’s power is only spiritual or abstract; it shows God’s authority reaches into real-world events, even stopping armies in their tracks.
  • By focusing on chariots and horses, Psalms 76:6 connects to other biblical moments where God defeats enemies without Israel needing to rely on their own military strength.
  • The verse fits into the wider psalm, which celebrates God as a defender and judge, reminding readers that true security comes from God’s protection, not human might.

Where else these words appear

“sleep” Hebrew H7290 · used in 7 verses

  • Judges 4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
  • Daniel 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
  • Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

“rebuke” Hebrew H1606 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 104:7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

“chariot” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

“horse” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 14:20 And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?