King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For the leader. A psalm of David. A song: Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee from his presence.
Berean Standard Bible:
God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence.
American Standard Version:
Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
To the chief Musician{H5329}{H8764)}, A Psalm{H4210} or Song{H7892} of David{H1732}. Let God{H430} arise{H6965}{H8799)}, let his enemies{H341}{H8802)} be scattered{H6327}{H8799)}: let them also that hate{H8130}{H8764)} him flee{H5127}{H8799)} before{H6440} him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 10:35
- And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
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?
Isaiah 51:10
- [Art] thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
Psalms 44:26
- Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
Isaiah 42:13
- ¶ 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.
Isaiah 42:14
- I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, [and] refrained myself: [now] will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
Psalms 89:10
- Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 68:1
Psalm 68:1 is a powerful and evocative verse that serves as the opening of a longer psalm attributed to David, who was known as a skilled musician and songwriter, as well as a king of ancient Israel. This verse functions as an invocation, calling upon God to manifest His power and sovereignty. The language used here reflects a militaristic and triumphant theme, common in the Psalms, where the psalmist implores God to rise up against His adversaries.
In the historical context, David was often engaged in battles against various enemies, and the psalms he wrote often mirror this struggle, blending the physical conflicts of his time with spiritual truths about God's ultimate victory over evil. The verse reflects a belief in the active engagement of God on behalf of His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Hebrew Bible.
The call for God to arise ("let God arise") is a plea for divine intervention, expecting that God's rising will result in the scattering of His enemies. This scattering is symbolic of the defeat and retreat of those who oppose God's will and His people. The verse speaks to the confidence of the faithful that God's power is supreme and that His presence ensures victory over opposition and adversity.
Furthermore, the phrase "let them also that hate him flee before him" emphasizes the totality of God's triumph. It suggests that not only will God's direct enemies be vanquished, but also those who harbor hatred towards Him will be compelled to retreat in the face of His glory and might.
In summary, Psalm 68:1 encapsulates the theme of divine intervention and victory, reflecting the historical experiences of David and the Israelites, while also transcending time to offer a message of hope to believers facing their own struggles. It is a call to remember that God is mightier than any foe and that His ascendancy leads to the defeat of those who stand against Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5329
There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַח
Transliteration: nâtsach
Pronunciation: naw-tsakh'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from נֶצַח; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent; excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward. - Strong's Number: H4210
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְמוֹר
Transliteration: mizmôwr
Pronunciation: miz-more'
Description: from זָמַר; properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes; psalm. - Strong's Number: H7892
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁיר
Transliteration: shîyr
Pronunciation: sheer
Description: or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H341
There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹיֵב
Transliteration: ʼôyêb
Pronunciation: o-yabe'
Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe. - Strong's Number: H6327
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פּוּץ
Transliteration: pûwts
Pronunciation: poots
Description: a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse); break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad. - Strong's Number: H8130
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂנֵא
Transliteration: sânêʼ
Pronunciation: saw-nay'
Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H5127
There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נוּס
Transliteration: nûwç
Pronunciation: noos
Description: a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver); [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.