1 [[To the chief Musician, H5329 A Psalm H4210 or Song H7892 of David.]] H1732 Let God H430 arise, H6965 let his enemies H341 be scattered: H6327 let them also that hate H8130 him flee H5127 before H6440 him.
2 As smoke H6227 is driven away, H5086 so drive them away: H5086 as wax H1749 melteth H4549 before H6440 the fire, H784 so let the wicked H7563 perish H6 at the presence H6440 of God. H430
3 But let the righteous H6662 be glad; H8055 let them rejoice H5970 before H6440 God: H430 yea, let them exceedingly H8057 rejoice. H7797
4 Sing H7891 unto God, H430 sing praises H2167 to his name: H8034 extol H5549 him that rideth H7392 upon the heavens H6160 by his name H8034 JAH, H3050 and rejoice H5937 before H6440 him.
5 A father H1 of the fatherless, H3490 and a judge H1781 of the widows, H490 is God H430 in his holy H6944 habitation. H4583
6 God H430 setteth H3427 the solitary H3173 in families: H1004 he bringeth out H3318 those which are bound H615 with chains: H3574 but the rebellious H5637 dwell H7931 in a dry H6707 land.
7 O God, H430 when thou wentest forth H3318 before H6440 thy people, H5971 when thou didst march H6805 through the wilderness; H3452 Selah: H5542
8 The earth H776 shook, H7493 the heavens H8064 also dropped H5197 at the presence H6440 of God: H430 even Sinai H5514 itself H2088 was moved at the presence H6440 of God, H430 the God H430 of Israel. H3478
9 Thou, O God, H430 didst send H5130 a plentiful H5071 rain, H1653 whereby thou didst confirm H3559 thine inheritance, H5159 when it was weary. H3811
10 Thy congregation H2416 hath dwelt H3427 therein: thou, O God, H430 hast prepared H3559 of thy goodness H2896 for the poor. H6041
11 The Lord H136 gave H5414 the word: H562 great H7227 was the company H6635 of those that published H1319 it.
12 Kings H4428 of armies H6635 did flee H5074 apace: H5074 and she that tarried H5116 at home H1004 divided H2505 the spoil. H7998
13 Though ye have lien H7901 among the pots, H8240 yet shall ye be as the wings H3671 of a dove H3123 covered H2645 with silver, H3701 and her feathers H84 with yellow H3422 gold. H2742
14 When the Almighty H7706 scattered H6566 kings H4428 in it, it was white as snow H7949 in Salmon. H6756
15 The hill H2022 of God H430 is as the hill H2022 of Bashan; H1316 an high H1386 hill H2022 as the hill H2022 of Bashan. H1316
16 Why leap H7520 ye, ye high H1386 hills? H2022 this is the hill H2022 which God H430 desireth H2530 to dwell in; H3427 yea, the LORD H3068 will dwell H7931 in it for ever. H5331
17 The chariots H7393 of God H430 are twenty thousand, H7239 even thousands H505 of angels: H8136 the Lord H136 is among them, as in Sinai, H5514 in the holy H6944 place.
18 Thou hast ascended H5927 on high, H4791 thou hast led captivity H7628 captive: H7617 thou hast received H3947 gifts H4979 for men; H120 yea, for the rebellious H5637 also, that the LORD H3050 God H430 might dwell H7931 among them.
19 Blessed H1288 be the Lord, H136 who daily H3117 H3117 loadeth H6006 us with benefits, even the God H410 of our salvation. H3444 Selah. H5542
20 He that is our God H410 is the God H410 of salvation; H4190 and unto GOD H3069 the Lord H136 belong the issues H8444 from death. H4194
21 But God H430 shall wound H4272 the head H7218 of his enemies, H341 and the hairy H8181 scalp H6936 of such an one as goeth on still H1980 in his trespasses. H817
22 The Lord H136 said, H559 I will bring again H7725 from Bashan, H1316 I will bring my people again H7725 from the depths H4688 of the sea: H3220
23 That thy foot H7272 may be dipped H4272 in the blood H1818 of thine enemies, H341 and the tongue H3956 of thy dogs H3611 in the same.
24 They have seen H7200 thy goings, H1979 O God; H430 even the goings H1979 of my God, H410 my King, H4428 in the sanctuary. H6944
25 The singers H7891 went before, H6923 the players on instruments H5059 followed after; H310 among H8432 them were the damsels H5959 playing with timbrels. H8608
26 Bless H1288 ye God H430 in the congregations, H4721 even the Lord, H136 from the fountain H4726 of Israel. H3478
27 There is little H6810 Benjamin H1144 with their ruler, H7287 the princes H8269 of Judah H3063 and their council, H7277 the princes H8269 of Zebulun, H2074 and the princes H8269 of Naphtali. H5321
28 Thy God H430 hath commanded H6680 thy strength: H5797 strengthen, H5810 O God, H430 that which H2098 thou hast wrought H6466 for us.
29 Because of thy temple H1964 at Jerusalem H3389 shall kings H4428 bring H2986 presents H7862 unto thee.
30 Rebuke H1605 the company H2416 of spearmen, H7070 the multitude H5712 of the bulls, H47 with the calves H5695 of the people, H5971 till every one submit H7511 himself with pieces H7518 of silver: H3701 scatter H967 thou the people H5971 that delight H2654 in war. H7128
31 Princes H2831 shall come out H857 of Egypt; H4714 Ethiopia H3568 shall soon stretch out H7323 her hands H3027 unto God. H430
32 Sing H7891 unto God, H430 ye kingdoms H4467 of the earth; H776 O sing praises H2167 unto the Lord; H136 Selah: H5542
33 To him that rideth H7392 upon the heavens H8064 of heavens, H8064 which were of old; H6924 lo, he doth send out H5414 his voice, H6963 and that a mighty H5797 voice. H6963
34 Ascribe H5414 ye strength H5797 unto God: H430 his excellency H1346 is over Israel, H3478 and his strength H5797 is in the clouds. H7834
35 O God, H430 thou art terrible H3372 out of thy holy places: H4720 the God H410 of Israel H3478 is he that giveth H5414 strength H5797 and power H8592 unto his people. H5971 Blessed H1288 be God. H430
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 68
Commentary on Psalms 68 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 68
Ps 68:1-35. This is a Psalm-song (see on Ps 30:1, title), perhaps suggested by David's victories, which secured his throne and gave rest to the nation. In general terms, the judgment of God on the wicked, and the equity and goodness of His government to the pious, are celebrated. The sentiment is illustrated by examples of God's dealings, cited from the Jewish history and related in highly poetical terms. Hence the writer intimates an expectation of equal and even greater triumphs and summons all nations to unite in praises of the God of Israel. The Psalm is evidently typical of the relation which God, in the person of His Son, sustains to the Church (compare Ps 68:18).
1-3. Compare Nu 10:35; Ps 1:4; 22:14, on the figures here used.
before him—as in Ps 68:2, from His presence, as dreaded; but in Ps 68:3, in His presence, as under His protection (Ps 61:7).
3. the righteous—all truly pious, whether of Israel or not.
4. extol him … heavens—literally, "cast up for Him who rideth in the deserts," or "wilderness" (compare Ps 68:7), alluding to the poetical representation of His leading His people in the wilderness as a conqueror, before whom a way is to be prepared, or "cast up" (compare Isa 40:3; 62:10).
by his name JAH—or, "Jehovah," of which it is a contraction (Ex 15:3; Isa 12:2) (Hebrew).
name—or, "perfections" (Ps 9:10; 20:1), which—
5, 6. are illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him.
6. setteth the solitary in families—literally, "settleth the lonely" (as wanderers) "at home." Though a general truth, there is perhaps allusion to the wandering and settlement of the Israelites.
rebellious dwell in a dry land—removed from all the comforts of home.
7, 8. (Compare Ex 19:16-18).
thou wentest—in the pillar of fire.
thou didst march—literally, "in Thy tread," Thy majestic movement.
8. even Sinai itself—literally, "that Sinai," as in Jud 5:5.
9, 10. a plentiful rain—a rain of gifts, as manna and quails.
10. Thy congregation—literally, "troop," as in 2Sa 23:11, 13—the military aspect of the people being prominent, according to the figures of the context.
therein—that is, in the land of promise.
the poor—Thy humble people (Ps 68:9; compare Ps 10:17; 12:5).
11. gave the word—that is, of triumph.
company—or, choir of females, celebrating victory (Ex 15:20).
12. Kings of armies—that is, with their armies.
she that … at home—Mostly women so remained, and the ease of victory appears in that such, without danger, quietly enjoyed the spoils.
13. Some translate this, "When ye shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies in the times of the judges; or, taking the whole figuratively, the rows of stones on which cooking vessels were hung; and thus that a contrast is drawn between their former low and afflicted state and their succeeding prosperity. In either case, a state of quiet and peace is described by a beautiful figure.
14. Their enemies dispersed, the contrast of their prosperity with their former distress is represented by that of the snow with the dark and somber shades of Salmon.
15, 16. Mountains are often symbols of nations (Ps 46:2; 65:6). That of Bashan, northeast of Palestine, denotes a heathen nation, which is described as a "hill of God," or a great hill. Such are represented as envious of the hill (Zion) on which God resides;
17. and, to the assertion of God's purpose to make it His dwelling, is added evidence of His protecting care. He is described as in the midst of His heavenly armies—
thousands of angels—literally, "thousands of repetitions," or, "thousands of thousands"—that is, of chariots. The word "angels" was perhaps introduced in our version, from De 33:2, and Ga 3:19. They are, of course, implied as conductors of the chariots.
as … Sinai, in the holy place—that is, He has appeared in Zion as once in Sinai.
18. From the scene of conquest He ascends to His throne, leading—
captivity captive—or, "many captives captive" (Jud 5:12).
received gifts for men—accepting their homage, even when forced, as that of rebels.
that the Lord God might dwell—or literally, "to dwell, O Lord God" (compare Ps 68:16)—that is, to make this hill, His people or Church, His dwelling. This Psalm typifies the conquests of the Church under her divine leader, Christ. He, indeed, "who was with the Church in the wilderness" (Ac 7:38) is the Lord, described in this ideal ascension. Hence Paul (Eph 4:8) applies this language to describe His real ascension, when, having conquered sin, death, and hell, the Lord of glory triumphantly entered heaven, attended by throngs of adoring angels, to sit on the throne and wield the scepter of an eternal dominion. The phrase "received gifts for (or literally, among) men" is by Paul, "gave gifts to men." Both describe the acts of a conqueror, who receives and distributes spoils. The Psalmist uses "receiving" as evincing the success, Paul "gave" as the act, of the conqueror, who, having subdued his enemies, proceeds to reward his friends. The special application of the passage by Paul was in proof of Christ's exaltation. What the Old Testament represents of His descending and ascending corresponds with His history. He who descended is the same who has ascended. As then ascension was an element of His triumph, so is it now; and He, who, in His humiliation, must be recognized as our vicarious sacrifice and the High Priest of our profession, must also be adored as Head of His Church and author of all her spiritual benefits.
19-21. God daily and fully supplies us. The issues or escapes from death are under His control, who is the God that saves us, and destroys His and our enemies.
21. wound the head—or, "violently destroy" (Nu 24:8; Ps 110:6).
goeth on still in … trespasses—perseveringly impenitent.
22. Former examples of God's deliverance are generalized: as He has done, so He will do.
from Bashan—the farthest region; and—
depths of the sea—the severest afflictions. Out of all, God will bring them. The figures of Ps 68:23 denote the completeness of the conquest, not implying any savage cruelty (compare 2Ki 9:36; Isa 63:1-6; Jer 15:3).
24-27. The triumphal procession, after the deliverance, is depicted.
They have seen—impersonally, "There have been seen."
the goings of my God—as leading the procession; the ark, the symbol of His presence, being in front. The various bands of music (Ps 68:25) follow, and all who are—
26. from—or literally, "of"
the fountain of Israel—that is, lineal descendants of Jacob, are invited to unite in the doxology. Then by one of the nearest tribes, one of the most eminent, and two of the most remote, are represented the whole nation of Israel, passing forward (Nu 7:1-89).
28, 29. Thanks for the past, and confident prayer for the future victories of Zion are mingled in a song of praise.
29. thy temple—literally, "over"
Jerusalem—His palace or residence (Ps 5:7) symbolized His protecting presence among His people, and hence is the object of homage on the part of others.
30. The strongest nations are represented by the strongest beasts (compare Margin).
31. Princes—or, literally, "fat ones," the most eminent from the most wealthy, and the most distant nation, represent the universal subjection.
stretch out her hands—or, "make to run her hands," denoting haste.
32-36. To Him who is presented as riding in triumph through His ancient heavens and proclaiming His presence—to Him who, in nature, and still more in the wonders of His spiritual government, out of His holy place (Ps 43:3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church, rules the world in righteousness—let all nations and kingdoms give honor and power and dominion evermore.