Psalms 78:65 - Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.
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What does "Psalms 78:65" mean?
Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting Israel's history of disobedience and God's subsequent judgment. Verse 65 marks a shift in tone. Let's break down the meaning of "Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine":
"Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep...": This is a metaphorical expression. It doesn't mean God was literally asleep. It suggests that God had been patiently enduring Israel's sin and withholding his full judgment. Now, he is "stirring himself" to act. This imagery evokes a sense of sudden and decisive action after a period of apparent inaction.
"...like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.": This simile further describes the nature of God's awakened action.
"Mighty man": Emphasizes strength, power, and decisiveness.
"Shouts by reason of wine": This is the most debated part of the verse. Wine was sometimes associated with celebration and strength. In this context, some interpret it as:
Righteous Indignation: The wine could symbolize God's holy anger and righteous indignation against the persistent sins of Israel. The shout is a manifestation of that anger and a declaration of judgment.
Joyful Vigor: Others see it as God acting with zeal and passion to defend his name and his holiness, similar to the vigor of a strong man refreshed and emboldened by wine.
Sovereign Action: A few interpret it more generally, seeing the wine as simply an emblem of God's power and readiness to act decisively.
In summary, the verse signifies that after a period of apparent patience or restraint, God is now roused to action. He acts with the strength and decisiveness of a mighty warrior, filled with righteous anger and determination to execute judgment. This is a turning point in Psalm 78, marking the beginning of a period of divine judgment on Israel. It does not imply that God is literally asleep or drunk, but it uses vivid imagery to communicate the intensity and decisiveness of his response to Israel's unfaithfulness.
Psalms 78:65 - Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.
What does "Psalms 78:65" mean?
Psalm 78 is a historical psalm, recounting Israel's history of disobedience and God's subsequent judgment. Verse 65 marks a shift in tone. Let's break down the meaning of "Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine":
"Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep...": This is a metaphorical expression. It doesn't mean God was literally asleep. It suggests that God had been patiently enduring Israel's sin and withholding his full judgment. Now, he is "stirring himself" to act. This imagery evokes a sense of sudden and decisive action after a period of apparent inaction.
"...like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.": This simile further describes the nature of God's awakened action.
"Mighty man": Emphasizes strength, power, and decisiveness.
"Shouts by reason of wine": This is the most debated part of the verse. Wine was sometimes associated with celebration and strength. In this context, some interpret it as:
Righteous Indignation: The wine could symbolize God's holy anger and righteous indignation against the persistent sins of Israel. The shout is a manifestation of that anger and a declaration of judgment.
Joyful Vigor: Others see it as God acting with zeal and passion to defend his name and his holiness, similar to the vigor of a strong man refreshed and emboldened by wine.
Sovereign Action: A few interpret it more generally, seeing the wine as simply an emblem of God's power and readiness to act decisively.
In summary, the verse signifies that after a period of apparent patience or restraint, God is now roused to action. He acts with the strength and decisiveness of a mighty warrior, filled with righteous anger and determination to execute judgment. This is a turning point in Psalm 78, marking the beginning of a period of divine judgment on Israel. It does not imply that God is literally asleep or drunk, but it uses vivid imagery to communicate the intensity and decisiveness of his response to Israel's unfaithfulness.