Psalm 78:65
New International Version
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.

New Living Translation
Then the Lord rose up as though waking from sleep, like a warrior aroused from a drunken stupor.

English Standard Version
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.

King James Bible
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

New King James Version
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, Like a mighty man who shouts because of wine.

New American Standard Bible
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine.

NASB 1995
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine.

NASB 1977
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, As if He were a warrior overcome by wine.

Amplified Bible
Then the Lord awakened as from sleep, Like a [mighty] warrior who awakens from the sleep of wine [fully conscious of his power].

Christian Standard Bible
The Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior from the effects of wine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior from the effects of wine.

American Standard Version
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, Like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Contemporary English Version
Finally the Lord woke up, like a soldier startled from a drunken sleep.

English Revised Version
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the Lord woke up like one who had been sleeping, like a warrior sobering up from [too much] wine.

Good News Translation
At last the Lord woke up as though from sleep; he was like a strong man excited by wine.

International Standard Version
The LORD awoke as though from sleep, like a mighty warrior stimulated by wine.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine.

NET Bible
But then the Lord awoke from his sleep; he was like a warrior in a drunken rage.

New Heart English Bible
Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

World English Bible
Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Lord wakes as a sleeper, "" As a mighty one crying aloud from wine.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Lord waketh as a sleeper, As a mighty one crying aloud from wine.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will awake as he sleeping, as the strong one shouting from wine.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord was awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that hath been surfeited with wine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord was awaked, as if out of sleep, and like a powerful man impaired by wine.

New American Bible
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a warrior shouting from the effects of wine.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a warrior shouting because of wine.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep and like a mighty man who has shaken off the effects of wine.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH awakened like one who had been sleeping and like a man who would save himself from his wine.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the Lord awaked as one asleep, Like a mighty man recovering from wine.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and as a mighty man who has been heated with wine.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
64His priests fell by the sword, but their widows could not lament. 65Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine. 66He beat back His foes; He put them to everlasting shame.…

Cross References
Isaiah 42:13
The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:

Judges 5:12
‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’

Zechariah 2:13
Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”

Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?

Isaiah 59:17
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.

Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...

Jeremiah 25:30
So you are to prophesy all these words against them and say to them: ‘The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy habitation. He will roar loudly over His pasture; like those who tread the grapes, He will call out with a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth.

Jeremiah 31:26
At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.

1 Samuel 14:47-48
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them. / He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

1 Samuel 17:45-47
But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 30:16-17
So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. / And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels.

2 Samuel 5:24
As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

2 Samuel 22:40-41
You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. / You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.

1 Kings 18:27
At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!”

Habakkuk 2:19
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the LORD awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouts by reason of wine.

then

Psalm 7:6
Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.

Psalm 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Isaiah 51:9
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

and like

Isaiah 42:13,14
The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies…

Jump to Previous
Asleep Awaked Awakened Awaking Awoke Crying Mighty Overcome Reason Recovering Shouteth Shouting Shouts Sleep Sleeper Strong Stupor Wakes Waketh Warrior Wine
Jump to Next
Asleep Awaked Awakened Awaking Awoke Crying Mighty Overcome Reason Recovering Shouteth Shouting Shouts Sleep Sleeper Strong Stupor Wakes Waketh Warrior Wine
Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














Then the Lord awoke as from sleep
This phrase uses anthropomorphic language to describe God's intervention. It suggests a period where God seemed inactive or distant, which is a common motif in the Psalms when Israel faces distress or judgment. The imagery of God "awakening" signifies a decisive moment of divine action and deliverance. This can be connected to other instances in Scripture where God "awakens" to act on behalf of His people, such as in Isaiah 51:9 and Psalm 44:23. Theologically, it emphasizes God's sovereignty and timing, reminding believers that God's apparent silence is not indicative of His absence or indifference.

like a mighty warrior
The depiction of God as a warrior is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, highlighting His power and ability to protect and deliver His people. This imagery is rooted in the cultural context of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where gods were often portrayed as warriors. In Exodus 15:3, God is called a "man of war" after the deliverance at the Red Sea. This warrior motif is also a type of Christ, who is seen as the ultimate divine warrior in Revelation 19:11-16, where He returns to defeat evil and establish His kingdom.

overcome by wine
This phrase uses hyperbolic language to describe the intensity and suddenness of God's action. In the ancient world, a warrior overcome by wine would be unexpected and unpredictable, suggesting that God's intervention is both powerful and surprising. While God is never literally overcome by anything, this metaphor serves to illustrate the dramatic shift from perceived inactivity to decisive action. It underscores the idea that God's ways and timing are beyond human understanding, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9. This imagery also contrasts with the sobriety and vigilance expected of God's people, as admonished in 1 Peter 5:8.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord
The central figure in this verse, representing God as the divine warrior who intervenes on behalf of His people.

2. Mighty Warrior
A metaphor for God, emphasizing His strength and readiness to act decisively.

3. Sleep
A metaphorical state indicating a period of divine inaction or perceived absence.

4. Wine
Used metaphorically to describe the suddenness and vigor of God's awakening and action.
Teaching Points
God's Timing and Sovereignty
God's "awakening" is a metaphor for His perfect timing. He is never truly asleep but acts according to His divine plan.

Divine Intervention
Just as God intervened for Israel, He is ready to intervene in our lives. We must trust in His power and timing.

Metaphors of Strength
The imagery of a mighty warrior highlights God's unmatched strength and ability to overcome any obstacle.

Perceived Absence
Times when God seems silent or inactive are opportunities for faith and trust, knowing He will act at the right moment.

Spiritual Readiness
Believers are called to be spiritually awake and prepared, mirroring God's readiness to act.(65) That shouteth . . .--For the boldness of the image which likens God to a giant warrior exhilarated with wine we may range this with the picture in Psalms 60 (See Notes.)

Verse 65. - Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep (comp. Psalm 7:6; Psalm 35:23; Psalm 73:20). God is said to "awake," when, after a time of inaction, he suddenly exerts his Almighty power, to the discomfiture of his enemies. That God never really slept was the profound conviction of the Israelites generally (see 2 Kings 18:27; Psalm 121:3, 4). And like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine (comp. Zechariah 10:7; Isaiah 42:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֑י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

awoke
וַיִּקַ֖ץ (way·yi·qaṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3364: To awake

as from sleep,
כְּיָשֵׁ֥ן ׀ (kə·yā·šên)
Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3463: Sleeping

like a warrior
כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר (kə·ḡib·bō·wr)
Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

overcome
מִתְרוֹנֵ֥ן (miṯ·rō·w·nên)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7442: To give a ringing cry

by wine.
מִיָּֽיִן׃ (mî·yā·yin)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:65 Then the Lord awakened as one out (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 78:64
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