The valiant lie plundered;This phrase suggests a scene of defeat and humiliation for those who were once strong and courageous. In the context of ancient warfare, the valiant were often the elite warriors or champions of a nation. The imagery of them lying plundered indicates not only their defeat but also the stripping away of their honor and possessions. This can be connected to the historical context of Israel's battles, where God often intervened to give victory to His people against seemingly insurmountable odds, as seen in the defeat of the Assyrian army in
2 Kings 19:35-37. Theologically, it underscores the futility of human strength against divine power.
they sleep their last sleep.
The phrase "sleep their last sleep" is a poetic way of describing death. In biblical literature, sleep is often used as a metaphor for death, suggesting a state of rest or inactivity (e.g.,Daniel 12:2,John 11:11-14). This imagery emphasizes the finality of their defeat and the cessation of their earthly struggles. It also reflects the biblical theme that God has ultimate authority over life and death, as seen in passages likePsalm 90:3-6, where human life is transient and subject to God's will.
No men of might could lift a hand.
This phrase highlights the complete powerlessness of the mighty warriors in the face of God's judgment. Despite their strength and skill, they are rendered incapable of action. This can be seen as a fulfillment of the biblical principle that human power is insignificant compared to God's sovereignty (Isaiah 40:23-24). It also echoes the theme of divine intervention, where God fights on behalf of His people, rendering their enemies powerless, as in the story of Gideon inJudges 7. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate victory of God's purposes and the futility of relying solely on human strength.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The ValiantRefers to the mighty warriors or soldiers who are typically strong and courageous in battle. In this context, they are rendered powerless and defeated.
2.
PlunderedThis term indicates that the valiant have been stripped of their possessions and strength, symbolizing total defeat.
3.
Sleep their last sleepA poetic way of describing death, emphasizing the finality and helplessness of the situation for these warriors.
4.
Men of MightRepresents those who are typically powerful and influential, yet in this scenario, they are unable to act or defend themselves.
5.
Divine JudgmentThe overarching event in this passage is the demonstration of God's power and judgment over human strength and pride.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human StrengthHuman power and might are ultimately futile against the sovereignty of God. We must recognize that true strength and victory come from Him alone.
The Finality of God's JudgmentThe imagery of "sleeping their last sleep" serves as a reminder of the finality of God's judgment. It calls us to live with an awareness of our mortality and the eternal consequences of our actions.
Dependence on God for VictoryJust as the valiant are rendered powerless, we must learn to depend on God rather than our own abilities or resources. Our trust should be in His power and provision.
Humility Before GodThe inability of the "men of might" to lift a hand teaches us the importance of humility. We should not boast in our strength but acknowledge our need for God's grace and intervention.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Psalm 76:5?
2.How does Psalm 76:5 illustrate God's power over earthly strength and pride?
3.What lessons on humility can we learn from Psalm 76:5's message?
4.How does Psalm 76:5 connect with God's sovereignty in Daniel 4:35?
5.In what ways can Psalm 76:5 inspire trust in God's protection today?
6.How can we apply the humility of Psalm 76:5 in our daily lives?
7.What does Psalm 76:5 reveal about God's power over human strength and pride?
8.How does Psalm 76:5 challenge the belief in human invincibility?
9.What historical context supports the message of Psalm 76:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 76?
11.What is sleep paralysis and how can it be prevented?
12.What does the Bible say about soul sleep?
13.Psalm 76:6: Is there any scientific or historical insight supporting the idea of horses and chariots suddenly being cast into a 'dead sleep' at God's rebuke?
14.Has any historical or archaeological evidence been found to confirm the specific threats David describes in Psalm 5?What Does Psalm 76:5 Mean
The valiant lie plundered• The psalmist pictures seasoned warriors sprawled on the battlefield, stripped of weapons and dignity (Psalm 76:3).
• God Himself is the One who has “broken the flashing arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war” (Psalm 76:3), just as He shattered Pharaoh’s chariots at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:4–6) and struck down 185,000 Assyrians in a single night (2 Kings 19:35;Isaiah 37:36).
• Human strength, tactics, and reputation crumble the moment the Lord decides to act (Psalm 33:16–17; 46:9). What seemed invincible yesterday now lies in heaps of plunder, proving that victory belongs to the Lord (Proverbs 21:31).
they sleep their last sleep• “Sleep” is a common biblical picture for physical death (Job 14:12;Daniel 12:2;John 11:11). Here it underscores how final God’s judgment was: the soldiers are not merely unconscious—they will not wake again on this battlefield.
• The phrase also hints at the restlessness of those who opposed God’s people; their striving ends in eternal stillness (Psalm 13:3;1 Thessalonians 4:14).
• By putting enemies to “their last sleep,” God protects His covenant people and displays His faithfulness, much like when He felled the Canaanite kings before Joshua (Joshua 10:10–11).
No men of might could lift a hand• Even the strongest arms hang limp when the Almighty intervenes (Isaiah 31:3). Gideon’s tiny band learned that “the battle is the Lord’s” (Judges 7:2); David declared the same before Goliath (1 Samuel 17:47).
• The verse stresses total helplessness: not a single survivor can raise a sword or even a finger. Power, skill, and courage—all are meaningless unless God permits their use (Psalm 44:6; 147:10).
• For believers, this truth brings comfort and humility: our security rests in God, not in our own ability to “lift a hand” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
summaryPsalm 76:5 vividly records God’s decisive victory over proud, well-equipped enemies. Mighty warriors are plundered, laid in the sleep of death, and rendered utterly powerless. Every phrase insists that human strength collapses under the sovereign judgment of the Lord, encouraging God’s people to trust Him rather than earthly might and assuring them that He alone secures their deliverance.
(5)
Are spoiled.--Literally,
have let themselves be spoiled.The picture is of men rendered powerless, at a glance, a word, from God.
Slept their sleep.--Better,have sunk into a deep sleep.
None of the men of might have found their hands.--This expression for powerlessness naturally grew into an idiom in a language that used the wordhandas a synonym forstrength.(Comp.Joshua 8:20, margin;Exodus 14:31, margin;Deuteronomy 32:36, margin.) Delitzsch quotes a Talmudic phrase, "We did not find our hands and feet in the school house." We may compare the Virgilian use ofmanus('n.6:688), and Shakespeare's "a proper fellow of my hands," and for the use of "find" compare the common phrase "find one's tongue."
Verse 5. -
The stout hearted are spoiled. A "vivid description of the catastrophe" now follows. The "stout hearted," the aggressors, the great dominant race, that has spoiled all the nations of the earth, and fears no one (comp.
Isaiah 10:12-14, "The stout heart of the King of Assyria"), is itself spoiled in turn.
They have slept their sleep. They have slept, and, as they slept (
2 Kings 19:35), they found it indeed a sleep, even the sleep of death.
And none of the men of might have found their hands. The mighty men, suddenly assaulted by the grim destroyer, Death, can make no resistance; they are paralyzed; they cannot even move a hand.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The valiantאַבִּ֣ירֵי(’ab·bî·rê)Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 47:Mighty, valiantlie plundered;אֶשְׁתּוֹלְל֨וּ ׀(’eš·tō·wl·lū)Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7997:To drop, strip, to plunderthey sleepנָמ֣וּ(nā·mū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5123:To be drowsy, slumbertheir last sleep.שְׁנָתָ֑ם(šə·nā·ṯām)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8142:SleepNoוְלֹא־(wə·lō-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nomenאַנְשֵׁי־(’an·šê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 582:Man, mankindof mightחַ֣יִל(ḥa·yil)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428:A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strengthcould liftמָצְא֖וּ(mā·ṣə·’ū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be presenta hand.יְדֵיהֶֽם׃(yə·ḏê·hem)Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3027:A hand
Links
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OT Poetry: Psalm 76:5 Valiant men lie plundered they have slept (Psalm Ps Psa.) 
