Psalms 68:17

KJV

The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place].

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

God's chariots are myriads, repeated thousands; Adonai is among them as in Sinai, in holiness.

Berean Standard Bible

The chariots of God are tens of thousands— thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

American Standard Version

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 68:17 presents a breathtaking vision of God's overwhelming power and majestic presence, depicting Him as a divine warrior leading an innumerable heavenly host. This verse, embedded within a grand triumphal psalm celebrating God's victories and His glorious procession to Zion, vividly recalls the dramatic theophany at Mount Sinai, underscoring the continuity of God's covenant faithfulness and His active, sovereign involvement in the affairs of His people, past, present, and future. It serves as a powerful reminder of the immeasurable strength and vastness of God's celestial army, affirming His incomparable, invincible sovereignty over all creation and every foe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a complex and ancient psalm, often described as a triumphal procession or a hymn of victory. It likely commemorates God's leading of Israel from the wilderness to His dwelling place in Zion, possibly in connection with the ark's journey to Jerusalem. The psalm begins with a call for God's enemies to scatter ([Psalm 68:1](/psalms/68-1 "Psalm 68:1 - God Arises")), recounts His mighty acts in the wilderness ([Psalm 68:7-10](/psalms/68-7 "Psalm 68:7-10 - God's March Through the Wilderness")), celebrates His victory over kings ([Psalm 68:11-14](/psalms/68-11 "Psalm 68:11-14 - Victory Over Kings")), and then shifts to His ascent to His holy habitation. Verse 17, with its imagery of divine chariots and angels, serves as a pivotal moment, depicting the majestic escort accompanying God as He ascends to His chosen dwelling, paralleling His descent at Sinai and foreshadowing His ultimate enthronement in Zion, which is the focus of [Psalm 68:18](/psalms/68-18 "Psalm 68:18 - God's Ascent and Gifts").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "chariots of God" and "thousands of angels" draws heavily on ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine warfare and royal processions. In this period, chariots represented the pinnacle of military might, speed, and overwhelming force, often associated with powerful deities and kings. By applying this imagery to Yahweh, the psalm emphasizes His supreme power and His role as the ultimate divine warrior, leading a celestial army far superior to any earthly force. The explicit reference to "Sinai, in the holy place" directly recalls the foundational event of the Exodus covenant, where God descended in fire, smoke, and thunder to deliver the Law to Israel, accompanied by a vast angelic host ([Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Descent on Sinai") and [Deuteronomy 33:2](/deuteronomy/33-2 "Deuteronomy 33:2 - God's Coming from Sinai")). This connection roots the psalm's triumphant vision in Israel's historical experience of God's powerful, covenant-keeping presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 68 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Omnipotence and Majesty**, portraying Him as an incomparable, invincible sovereign who commands an immeasurable heavenly army. This imagery underscores His limitless resources and His absolute control over all creation, echoing themes found in [Psalm 24:8-10](/psalms/24-8 "Psalm 24:8-10 - The King of Glory"). Secondly, the phrase "the Lord is among them" emphasizes **Divine Presence and Leadership**. God is not a distant deity but one who actively leads His forces and is intimately present with His people, just as He dramatically manifested Himself at Sinai. This theme of God's abiding presence is central to Israel's faith and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament with Christ's promise to be with His disciples always ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission and Christ's Presence")). Finally, the explicit reference to "Sinai" reinforces the **Continuity of God's Covenant Faithfulness**. The same God who established His law and presence there continues to be active and mighty, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His people and His plan of salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chariots (Hebrew, _rechev'_):** Refers to vehicles of war, symbolizing speed, power, and overwhelming force. In this context, "chariots of God" signifies the divine army's irresistible might and the swiftness of God's intervention. It's a powerful metaphor for God's majestic movement and the instruments of His sovereign will.
* **Twenty thousand, even thousands of angels (Hebrew, _ribbotayim alfei shin'an'_):** The phrase _ribbotayim_ literally means "two myriads" or "two tens of thousands," while _alfei shin'an_ is a more debated phrase, often translated as "thousands of repetition," "thousands of angels," or "thousands of strength/victory." The KJV's translation captures the overwhelming sense of an immeasurably vast, innumerable host. This emphasizes God's limitless resources and the countless multitude of His divine attendants, highlighting the sheer scale of His celestial retinue and His absolute supremacy.
* **Sinai (Hebrew, _Sinay'_):** This geographical and historical reference is crucial. Mount Sinai is the place where God dramatically revealed Himself to Israel, delivering the Law and establishing His covenant. Its inclusion here serves as a powerful anchor, connecting the current triumphant vision of God's procession to a foundational moment of divine manifestation and covenant-making, underscoring God's consistent character and power across time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels:"** This opening clause paints a vivid picture of God's immense power and the vastness of His heavenly army. The "chariots of God" are not literal vehicles but a metaphor for the instruments of His divine power and the swiftness of His action. The numbers "twenty thousand" and "thousands of angels" are hyperbole, signifying an innumerable, overwhelming host, far beyond any earthly military force. This emphasizes God's supreme might and the countless spiritual beings at His command, ready to execute His will.
* **"the Lord [is] among them,"** This phrase highlights God's active and personal involvement. He is not a distant commander but is intimately present with His celestial army, leading them. This speaks to His immanence and His direct engagement in the affairs of His creation, particularly in the protection and advancement of His people. It underscores that the power displayed is His own, manifested through His divine retinue.
* **"[as in] Sinai, in the holy [place]."** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful historical and theological anchor. It explicitly links the current majestic vision of God's procession to the dramatic theophany at Mount Sinai, where God descended in overwhelming glory to meet with Israel and deliver His Law. "The holy place" refers to Sinai itself, consecrated by God's presence. This connection reminds the audience that the same powerful, covenant-keeping God who manifested Himself so spectacularly in the past is still active and present, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness and consistent display of power.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 68:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine majesty and power. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of "twenty thousand, even thousands of angels," which is not meant to be a literal count but rather to convey the immeasurable, overwhelming vastness of God's heavenly host, far surpassing any conceivable earthly army. This exaggeration emphasizes God's limitless resources and His absolute supremacy. **Metaphor** is used with "chariots of God," which are not literal chariots but represent the swift, irresistible power and majesty with which God moves and acts. This anthropomorphic imagery allows human readers to grasp the divine might in familiar terms. Finally, the verse contains a strong **Allusion** to the historical event at Mount Sinai. By explicitly referencing "Sinai, in the holy place," the psalmist evokes the memory of God's dramatic descent, the giving of the Law, and the establishment of the covenant, thereby grounding the current vision of God's triumphant procession in Israel's foundational experience of divine power and presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 68:17 profoundly articulates the unassailable sovereignty and majestic presence of God, a truth foundational to biblical theology. It portrays God not merely as a distant ruler but as an active, immanent warrior-king, leading an innumerable heavenly host. This imagery reassures believers of God's ultimate power over all adversaries, spiritual and physical, and His unwavering commitment to His people, echoing His dramatic interventions throughout salvation history, particularly at Sinai. The verse underscores that the God who revealed Himself in overwhelming glory to establish His covenant is the same God who continues to be present "among them," leading His people to ultimate triumph. This continuity of divine power and presence inspires awe, trust, and confidence in God's ability to fulfill His purposes and protect His own.

* [Deuteronomy 33:2](/deuteronomy/33-2 "Deuteronomy 33:2 - God's Coming from Sinai with Myriads")
* [2 Kings 6:16-17](/2_kings/6-16 "2 Kings 6:16-17 - Elisha's Vision of Heavenly Chariots")
* [Revelation 5:11](/revelation/5-11 "Revelation 5:11 - Myriads of Myriads of Angels")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 68:17 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to worship for believers today. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and the apparent triumph of evil, this verse reminds us of the unshakeable reality of God's omnipotent reign. The "chariots of God" and "thousands of angels" are not mere poetic embellishments but a vivid declaration that God commands an infinite, invincible army, far superior to any earthly or spiritual foe. This truth should inspire unwavering trust in His ultimate control over all circumstances. Furthermore, the assurance that "the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place" reminds us that the same God who dramatically manifested His presence to Israel is intimately present with His church, His people, and individual believers today. We are not abandoned to face our struggles alone, but are enveloped by His abiding presence and protected by His mighty power. This truth should empower us to live with courage, knowing that our hope is secure in the God who leads His people to final victory, just as He did from Sinai to Zion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "chariots" and "thousands of angels" impact your understanding of His power and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways does the reminder of God's presence "as in Sinai" encourage you in your current circumstances?**
* **How can reflecting on God's ultimate victory, as implied by this verse, shape your perspective on present challenges and anxieties?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consciously aware of God's powerful presence "among" His people?**

### FAQ

**What does "chariots of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: The "chariots of God" in [Psalm 68:17](/psalms/68-17 "Psalm 68:17 - God's Chariots and Angels") are not literal vehicles but a powerful metaphor for the swift, overwhelming, and irresistible power with which God moves and acts. In ancient warfare, chariots represented the pinnacle of military might and speed. By applying this imagery to God, the psalmist emphasizes His supreme power, His majestic movement, and the instruments of His divine will, signifying that He is an unstoppable force leading His heavenly host. It conveys the idea of a divine army equipped with unparalleled might and swiftness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 68:17 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm describes God's majestic procession from Sinai to Zion, foreshadowing His enthronement, the New Testament reveals this divine ascent culminating in Christ's ascension to the right hand of the Father. The "chariots of God" and "thousands of angels" that accompanied Yahweh at Sinai and in His triumphant procession are now seen ministering to and accompanying the ascended Christ. [Ephesians 4:8](/ephesians/4-8 "Ephesians 4:8 - Christ's Ascension and Gifts"), quoting [Psalm 68:18](/psalms/68-18 "Psalm 68:18 - God's Ascent and Gifts"), explicitly applies the psalm's imagery of God "leading captives" and "receiving gifts among men" to Christ's victorious ascension after His resurrection. Jesus, the Lord who is "among them," is the incarnate God who demonstrated divine power, conquered sin and death, and ascended to His heavenly throne, where He now reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). The countless angels described in the psalm are part of the vast heavenly host that worships and serves Christ ([Hebrews 1:6](/hebrews/1-6 "Hebrews 1:6 - Angels Worship the Son"), [Revelation 5:11](/revelation/5-11 "Revelation 5:11 - Myriads of Myriads of Angels")), confirming His supreme authority and the fulfillment of God's majestic presence not just at Sinai, but supremely in the person of His Son, who promises to be with His people always, even to the end of the age ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 33:2

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

Daniel 7:10

A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Revelation 5:11

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Matthew 26:53

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Habakkuk 3:8

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation?

Exodus 19:22

And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.

Exodus 19:23

And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.