TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Even if you lie among the animal stalls, there are wings of a dove covered with silver and its plumes with green gold.
Berean Standard Bible
Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.”
American Standard Version
When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is asthe wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold.
World English Bible Messianic
while you sleep among the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Though ye haue lien among pots, yet shall ye be as the winges of a doue that is couered with siluer, and whose fethers are like yelowe golde.
Young's Literal Translation
Though ye do lie between two boundaries, Wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold.
See also
In the KJVVerse 14,914 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 68 verses 7–14
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 psalmist here, having occasion to give God thanks for the great things he had done for him and his people of late, takes occasion thence to praise him for what he had done for their fathers in the days of old. Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies and revive our grateful sense of them. Let it never be forgotten,
I. That God himself was the guide of Israel through the wilderness; when he had brought them out of their chains he did not leave them in the dry land, but he himself went before them in a march through the wilderness, Psa 68:7. It was not a journey, but a march, for they went as soldiers, as an army with banners. The Egyptians promised themselves that the wilderness had shut them in, but they were deceived; God's Israel, having him for their leader, marched through the wilderness and were not lost in it. Note, If God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go before them in it and bring them out of it. Sol 8:5.
II. That he manifested his glorious presence with them at Mount Sinai, Psa 68:8. Never did any people see the glory of God, nor hear his voice, as Israel did, Deu 4:32, Deu 4:33. Never had any people such an excellent law given them, so expounded, so enforced. Then the earth shook, and the neighbouring countries, it is likely, felt the shock; terrible thunders there were, accompanied no doubt with thunder-showers, in which the heavens seemed to drop; while the divine doctrine dropped as the rain, Deu 32:2. Sinai itself, that vast mountain, that long ridge of mountains, was moved at the presence of God; see Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5; Deu 33:2; Hab 3:3. This terrible appearance of the Divine Majesty, as it would possess them with a fear and dread of him, so it would encourage their faith in him and dependence upon him. Whatever mountains of difficulty lay in the way of their happy settlement, he that could move Sinai itself could remove them, could get over them.
III. That he provided very comfortably for them both in the wilderness and in Canaan (Psa 68:9, Psa 68:10): Thou didst send a plentiful rain and hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor. This may refer, 1. To the victualling of their camp with manna in the wilderness, which was rained upon them, as were also the quails (Psa 78:24, Psa 78:27), and it might be fitly called a rain of liberality or munificence, for it was a memorable instance of the divine bounty. This confirmed the camp of Israel (here called God's inheritance, because he had chosen them to be a peculiar treasure to himself) when it was weary and ready to perish: this confirmed their faith, and was a standing proof of God's power and goodness. Even in the wilderness God found a comfortable dwelling for Israel, which was his congregation. Or, 2. To the seasonable supplies granted them in Canaan, that land flowing with mild and honey, which is said to drink water of the rain of heaven, Deu 11:11. When sometimes that fruitful land was ready to be turned into barrenness, for the iniquity of those that dwelt therein, God, in judgment, remembered mercy, and sent them a plentiful rain, which refreshed it again, so that the congregation of Israel dwelt therein, and there was provision enough, even to satisfy their poor with bread. This looks further to the spiritual provision made for God's Israel; the Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain with which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is found, Isa 45:8. Christ himself is this rain, Psa 72:6. He shall come as showers that water the earth.
IV. That he often gave them victory over their enemies; armies, and kings of armies, appeared against them, from their first coming into Canaan, and all along in the times of the judges, till David's days, but, first or last, they gained their point against them, Psa 68:11, Psa 68:12, Psa 68:14. Observe here, 1. That God was their commander-in-chief: The Lord gave the word, as general of their armies. He raised up judges for them, gave them their commissions and instructions, and assured them of success. God spoke in his holiness, and then Gilead is mine. 2. That they had prophets, as God's messengers, to make known his mind to them. God gave them his word (the word of the Lord came unto them) and then great was the company of the preachers - prophets and prophetesses, for the word is feminine. When God has messages to send he will not want messengers. Or perhaps it may allude to the women's joining in the triumph when the victory was obtained, as was usual (Exo 15:20, Sa1 18:7), in which they took notice of the word of God, triumphing in that as much as in his works. 3. That their enemies were defeated, and put to confusion: Kings of armies did flee, did flee with the greatest terror and precipitation imaginable, did not fight and flee, but flee and flee, retired without striking a stroke; they fled apace, fled and never rallied again. 4. That they were enriched with the plunder of the field: She that tarried at home divided the spoil. Not only the men, the soldiers that abode by the stuff, who were, by a statute of distributions, to share the prey (Sa1 30:24), but even the women that tarried at home had a share, which intimates the abundance of spoil that should be taken. 5. That these great things which God did for them were sanctified to them and contributed to their reformation (Psa 68:14): When the Almighty scattered kings for her (for the church) she was white as snow in Salmon, purified and refined by the mercies of God; when the host went forth against the enemy they kept themselves from every wicked thing, and so the host returned victorious, and Israel by the victory were confirmed in their purity and piety. This account of Israel's victories is applicable to the victories obtained by the exalted Redeemer for those that are his, over death and hell. By the resurrection of Christ our spiritual enemies were made to flee, their power was broken, and they were for ever disabled to hurt any of God's people. This victory was first notified by the women (the she-publishers) to the disciples (Mat 28:7) and by them it was preached to all the world, while believers that tarry at home, that did not themselves contribute any thing towards it, enjoy the benefit of it, and divide the spoil.
V. That from a low and despised condition they had been advanced to splendour and prosperity. When they were bond-slaves in Egypt, and afterwards when they were oppressed sometimes by one potent neighbour and sometimes by another, they did, as it were, lie among the pots or rubbish, as despised broken vessels, or as vessels in which there was no pleasure - they were black, and dirty, and discoloured. But God, at length, delivered them from the pots (Psa 81:6), and in David's time they were in a fair way to be one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the world, amiable in the eyes of all about them, like the wings of a dove covered with silver, Psa 68:13. "And so," says Dr. Hammond, "under Christ's kingdom, the heathen idolaters that were brought to the basest and most despicable condition of any creatures, worshipping wood and stone, and given up to the vilest lusts, should from that detestable condition be advanced to the service of Christ, and the practice of all Christian virtues, the greatest inward beauties in the world." It may be applied also to the deliverance of the church out of a suffering state and the comforts of particular believers after their despondencies.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–14. Public domain.
Copy as
Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 5
Again, Aeschylus the tragedian, setting forth the power of God, does not shrink from calling him the Highest, in these words:Place God apart from mortals; and think not
That he is, like yourself, corporeal.
You know him not. Now he appears as fire,
Dread force; as water now; and now as gloom;
And in the beasts is dimly shadowed forth,
In wind, and cloud, in lightning, thunder, rain;
And minister to him the seas and rocks,
Each fountain and the water’s floods and streams.
The mountains tremble, and the earth, the vast
Abyss of sea, and towering height of hills,
When on them looks the Sovereign’s awful eye:
Almighty is the glory of the Most High God.
Does he not seem to you to paraphrase that text, “At the presence of the Lord the earth trembles”?
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Holy Spirit 1.18
Damasus cleansed not, Peter cleansed not, Ambrose cleansed not, Gregory cleansed not; for ours is the ministry, but the sacraments are yours. For human power cannot confer what is divine, but it is, O Lord, your gift and that of the Father, as you have spoken by the prophets, saying, “I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh, and their sons and their daughters shall prophesy.” This is that typical dew from heaven, this is that gracious rain, as we read: “A gracious rain, dividing for his inheritance.” For the Holy Spirit is not subject to any foreign power or law but is the arbiter of his own freedom, dividing all things according to the decision of his own will, to each, as we read, individually as he wills.
JeromeAD 420
PSALMS 7
“O God, when you went forth at the head of your people.” This accords with history, when God preceded his people as they marched out of Egypt. “When you marched through the wilderness.” God did not delay in the desert but passed through it. “The earth quaked; it rained from heaven at the presence of the God of Sinai.” “It rained from heaven”: that is, it rained manna. Sinai signifies temptation. God dwells, therefore, in those who are tempted and overcome temptation; in those who seek sensual gratification, however, he does not dwell. “A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, on your inheritance.” This refers to the law that was given through Moses. “You restored the land when it languished.” The law languished because no one was able to fulfill it except the Lord, who said, “I have not come to destroy the law but to fulfill.” HOMILIES ON THE.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 68
Now in that which follows, he turns himself to address the members themselves, whereof the beauty of the House is composed, saying, "If you sleep in the midst of the lots, wings of a dove silvered, and between the shoulders thereof in the freshness of gold" [Psalm 68:13]. First, we must here examine the order of the words, in what manner the sentence is ended; which certainly awaits, when there is said, "If you sleep:" secondly, in that which he says, namely, "wings of dove silvered," whether in the singular number it must be understood as being, "of this wing" thereof, or in the plural as, "these wings." But the singular number the Greek excludes, where always in the plural we read it written. But still it is uncertain whether it be these wings; or whether, "O you wings," so as that he may seem to speak to the wings themselves. Whether therefore by the words which have preceded, that sentence be ended, so that the order is, "The Lord shall give the Word to men preaching the Gospel with much virtue, if you sleep in the midst of the lots, O you wings of a dove silvered:" or by these which follow, so that the order is, "If you sleep in the midst of the lots, the wings of a dove silvered with snow shall be whitened in Selmon:" that is, the wings themselves shall be whitened, if you sleep in the midst "of the lots:" so that he may be understood to say this to them that are divided to the beauty of the House, as it were spoils; that is, if you sleep in the "midst of the lots," O you that are divided to the beauty of the House, "through the manifestation of the Spirit unto profit," [1 Corinthians 12:7] so that "to one indeed is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge," etc., if then ye sleep in the midst of the lots, then the wings of a dove silvered with snow shall be whitened in Selmon. It may also be thus: "If you being the wings of a dove silvered, sleep in the midst of the lots, with snow they shall be whitened in Selmon," so as that those men be understood who through grace receive remission of sins. Whence also of the Church Herself, is said in the Song of Songs, "Who is She that goes up whitened?" For this promise of God is held out through the Prophet, saying, "If your sins shall have been like scarlet, like snow I will whiten them." It may also thus be understood, so that in that which has been said, "wings of a dove silvered," there be understood, you shall be, so that this is the sense, O you that like as it were spoils to the beauty of the house are divided, if you sleep in the "midst of the lots," wings of a dove silvered you shall be: that is, into higher places you shall be lifted up, adhering however to the bond of the Church. For I think no other dove silvered can be better perceived here, than that whereof has been said, "One is My dove." [Song of Songs 6:9] But silvered She is because with divine sayings she has been instructed: for the sayings of the Lord in another place are called "silver with fire refined, purged sevenfold." Some great good thing therefore it is, to sleep in the midst of the lots, which some would have to be the Two Testaments, so that to "sleep in the midst of the lots" is to rest on the authority of those Testaments, that is, to acquiesce in the testimony of either Testament: so that whenever anything out of them is produced and proved, all strife is ended in peaceful acquiescence....
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 68:6
“When you ventured forth in the midst of your people, O God, when you passed through the wilderness, earth shook and the heavens sent down drops.” Symmachus rendered it thus, “O God, when you went before your people, moving through the uninhabited land, earth shook and heaven sent down drops.” On the point of passing through that barren and uninhabited land, which had not yet felt the light’s ray, you disturbed the earth and shook it, and from heaven you sent down the shower of grace. Now, in the one case, this happened at the crucifixion. At that time the earth shook and the rocks broke open, and all the earth was disturbed on gaining the impression that the Creator of all was hung up on the cross; in the other case, after the return to heaven. At that time the grace of the Spirit came on the apostles, like drops of dew. Then, to teach Jews more clearly who was doing all this, he added, “at the presence of the God of Sinai, at the presence of the God of Israel.” The one who appeared to our forebears on Mount Sinai, he is saying, is the one who also shook the earth at the time of the passion to refute our folly and who made the gift of the Spirit.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 68:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalms 68:13 presents a profound and transformative image, contrasting a past state of deep humiliation and degradation with a future of radiant beauty and honor bestowed by divine intervention. It powerfully illustrates God's sovereign ability to elevate His people from the lowest depths of affliction, adorning them with unparalleled splendor, signifying His favor, purity, and the glorious destiny prepared for those who are in covenant with Him, moving them from shame to a position of esteemed glory.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 68:13 is rich with literary artistry, primarily employing vivid Imagery to paint a powerful picture of transformation. The stark contrast between "lien among the pots" and "wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold" creates a profound visual and emotional impact. This contrast functions as a powerful Antithesis, highlighting the vast difference between the former state of humiliation and the promised state of glory. The verse also utilizes Metaphor, comparing the transformed people of God to the beautifully adorned wings of a dove, suggesting their new identity and elevated status. Furthermore, Symbolism is deeply embedded: the "pots" symbolize degradation, suffering, or lowliness, while the "dove" often symbolizes peace, purity, or vulnerability, and the "silver" and "gold" powerfully symbolize divine favor, purity, immense value, and radiant glory. The entire verse serves as a powerful Prophetic Promise of future exaltation and beautification by God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's redemptive power and His unwavering commitment to transforming the circumstances and status of His people. It speaks to the divine principle that suffering, humiliation, or lowliness are not the ultimate end of the story for those in covenant with God, but often a prelude to greater glory and divine beautification. God takes what is lowly, despised, or afflicted and elevates it, adorning it with His own splendor and favor. This transformation is not merely external; it reflects an internal change and a new identity bestowed by God, moving His people from shame to honor, from a state of degradation to one of radiant beauty and preciousness in His eyes. It underscores God's faithfulness to redeem and glorify His chosen ones, turning their ashes into beauty and their mourning into joy, demonstrating His sovereign power to bring light out of darkness and glory out of dust.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:13 offers a profound message of hope and assurance for all who have experienced hardship, felt overlooked, or endured periods of deep suffering. It reminds us that our past or present difficulties, no matter how degrading or painful, do not define our ultimate worth or destiny in God's plan. God sees our affliction, and in His perfect timing and sovereign power, He is capable of bringing about a radical transformation, lifting us from the "pots" of our struggles and adorning us with a beauty and honor that only He can bestow. This transformation is not necessarily about material wealth, but about spiritual glory, purity, and a renewed identity in Him. It calls us to trust in God's redemptive work, believing that He can bring forth something precious and beautiful even from the ashes of our lives, ultimately elevating us to a place of honor and intimate fellowship with Him. This promise encourages perseverance through trials, knowing that God's ultimate purpose is our glorification and sanctification, making us radiant reflections of His grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "lien among the pots" specifically mean, and why is it used?
Answer: The phrase "lien among the pots" (Hebrew: shafatayim, derived from shâphâth H8240) is interpreted in various ways, but generally refers to a state of extreme lowliness, degradation, or servitude. It could literally mean sleeping or working among cooking pots, hearths, or ash-heaps, which would be a dirty and undignified condition. Symbolically, it represents a period of deep suffering, humiliation, or oppression, like Israel's bondage in Egypt (Exodus 1) or their exile. Its use here serves as a powerful contrast to the glorious transformation that God promises, emphasizing the depth from which He lifts His people and the radical nature of His redemptive work.
Is this verse a promise of material wealth or prosperity for believers?
Answer: While the imagery of "silver" and "yellow gold" certainly evokes preciousness and value, the primary emphasis of Psalms 68:13 is on spiritual and positional transformation rather than a guarantee of material wealth. The verse speaks to God's ability to elevate His people from a state of lowliness and disgrace to one of radiant beauty, honor, and purity in His sight. This divine adornment signifies God's favor and the glorious identity He bestows upon His chosen ones. While God may bless materially, the core promise here is about spiritual glorification and the beauty of a life transformed by His grace, reflecting His own glory, much like the church is described as being adorned for Christ (Revelation 21:2) and believers are called to put on Christ's righteousness (Romans 13:14).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work, which then extends to all who are united with Him by faith. Christ, though "in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6), but instead "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7). He truly "lay among the pots" of human suffering and degradation, enduring the scorn of humanity, the rejection of His own people (John 1:11), and ultimately submitting to the ignominy of death on a cross, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Yet, it was precisely through this profound humiliation that God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9), crowning Him with "glory and honor" (Hebrews 2:9). For believers, this transformation becomes our reality in Christ: we, who were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1), are now raised with Him and "seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). The "silver" and "gold" of the dove's wings beautifully foreshadow the radiant righteousness of Christ that covers us (Isaiah 61:10), and the future glory we will share with Him, when He presents His church to Himself "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27). Thus, Christ's journey from humble birth to glorious ascension is the perfect embodiment of this psalm's promise, and His glory is now our inheritance.