Psalms68

Psalms 68 is a triumphant psalm celebrating God's power and victory over His enemies. It recounts His mighty acts from the Exodus and Sinai to His dwelling in Zion, where He protects the vulnerable and bestows blessings. The psalm culminates in a vision of all nations acknowledging God's supreme authority and bringing Him praise.
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The Battle Cry and Prayer for Victory

1
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. ​
2
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. ​
5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. ​
6
God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. ​

God's March Through the Wilderness

7
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: ​
8
The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. ​
9
Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
11
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12
Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
13
Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. ​
14
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. ​

The Ascent to Zion, God's Chosen Dwelling

15
The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. ​
16
Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. ​
17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. ​
18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. ​
19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. ​
20
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. ​
21
But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

Salvation and Judgment of Enemies

22
The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: ​
23
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

The Triumphal Procession in the Temple

24
They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. ​
25
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
26
Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27
There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. ​

Prayer for Strength and Global Submission

28
Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. ​
29
Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee. ​
30
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. ​
31
Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. ​

Praise of the Cosmic King

32
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: ​
33
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. ​
34
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 68

Verse 1

This verse opens with the ancient battle cry used when the Ark of the Covenant was moved (Numbers 10:35), invoking God's appearance to scatter enemies.

Verse 4

The name 'JAH' (Yah) is the shortened, sacred form of the divine covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God’s eternal existence and sovereignty.

Verse 5

God is characterized as the compassionate defender of the most vulnerable members of society (orphans and widows), establishing a foundational theme of social justice.

Verse 6

This verse contrasts God’s provision for the isolated and imprisoned with the fate of the rebellious, who are left to suffer in barrenness.

Verse 7

The psalm shifts to recalling the Exodus journey, establishing that the current triumph is consistent with God's powerful historical deliverance.

Verse 8

The imagery of the earth shaking and the heavens dropping emphasizes the terrifying manifestation of God’s glory (Theophany) at Mount Sinai.

Verse 13

This is an image of transformation: those who were oppressed or lowly (lying among the soot of the cooking pots) are now delivered, purified, and adorned with glory.

Verse 14

Salmon (or Zalmon) was a mountain likely covered in snow. The victory over kings was so decisive that the battlefield appeared bright and white, symbolizing complete triumph.

Verse 15

Bashan refers to the majestic, high mountains of the Transjordan (like Hermon). The psalmist uses this image to set up a contrast with Zion.

Verse 16

Mount Zion, though geographically less imposing than Bashan, is declared superior because God sovereignly chose it as the eternal location for His presence.

Verse 17

The 'chariots of God' describe the immense heavenly host (thousands of angels) accompanying the Lord, mirroring the glorious presence seen at Sinai, now resident in Zion.

Verse 18

This crucial verse describes the victorious King ascending His throne, leading captured prisoners and receiving tribute ('gifts') from the vanquished, establishing His permanent residence among His people. Paul applies this to Christ's ascension (Eph 4:8).

Verse 19

A doxology praising God for his continuous, daily provision and role as the ultimate source of salvation.

Verse 20

God is affirmed as the ultimate power, holding the absolute dominion over life and death ('issues from death').

Verse 22

God promises universal victory, reclaiming His people from threats represented by Bashan (enemies to the northeast) and the deep sea (ancient chaos/Exodus enemies).

Verse 24

The focus shifts to the immediate setting: the procession of the Ark or a victory parade entering the Temple sanctuary in Jerusalem.

Verse 27

Representative tribes are listed (Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, Naphtali). This emphasizes the unity of all Israel, from both the south and the far north, participating in worship.

Verse 28

The psalm transitions to a communal prayer, asking God to confirm and continue the strength and deliverance He has already displayed.

Verse 29

The expectation is that the fame of God's presence in Jerusalem will motivate foreign kings to bring tribute and homage.

Verse 30

The 'multitude of the bulls' and 'calves' likely symbolize the powerful and arrogant leaders of hostile nations. The prayer is for their humiliation until they submit with tribute.

Verse 31

A prophetic vision that major world powers (Egypt and Cush/Ethiopia) will soon submit to Yahweh, demonstrating the psalm's universal scope.

Verse 32

The psalm concludes with a universal call, inviting all the kingdoms of the earth to join Israel in praising God.

Verse 33

Riding upon the 'heavens of heavens' emphasizes God's transcendence and cosmic domain, confirming His absolute sovereignty over all creation.

Verse 35

The concluding blessing reaffirms that the fearful power of God, demonstrated in His sanctuary, is the source of strength and might for His covenant people, Israel.

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