Psalms 68:14

KJV

When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was [white] as snow in Salmon.

KJV (with Strong's)

When the Almighty {H7706} scattered {H6566}{H8763)} kings {H4428} in it, it was white as snow {H7949}{H8686)} in Salmon {H6756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Shaddai scatters kings there, snow falls on Tzalmon.

Berean Standard Bible

When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.

American Standard Version

When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as whenit snoweth in Zalmon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:14 powerfully depicts God's decisive and transformative victory over opposing kings, illustrating His absolute sovereignty and the profound impact of His divine intervention. The imagery of the battleground becoming "white as snow in Salmon" conveys a scene of radical change, purity, and clarity that follows the scattering of enemies, underscoring God's ability to bring order and beauty out of chaos and conflict.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a magnificent processional psalm, likely composed for a celebratory occasion such as the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Zion or a major military triumph. It opens with an invocation for God to arise and scatter His enemies, echoing the ancient wilderness march of Israel. The psalm progresses through a series of vignettes depicting God's past acts of deliverance, His care for the needy, and His victorious procession. Verse 14 specifically falls within a section (verses 11-14) that celebrates the rout of enemy kings and the distribution of spoils, often led by women. It serves as a vivid climax to the description of divine judgment and triumph, immediately preceding the psalm's focus on God's dwelling in Zion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm is often attributed to King David and reflects the tumultuous period of Israel's early monarchy, marked by frequent conflicts with surrounding nations. The scattering of kings was a common outcome of ancient warfare, signifying complete defeat and subjugation. "Salmon" (Hebrew: _Tsalmon_) is identified as a mountain near Shechem, mentioned in [Judges 9:48](/judges/9-48 "Judges 9:48 - Abimelech's Attack on Thebez"), known for its dark, forested slopes. The image of snow on such a dark mountain would have been a striking visual contrast, emphasizing the dramatic transformation. Culturally, snow was associated with purity and cleansing, as seen in various biblical texts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Psalm 68 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Power and Victory**, emphasizing His absolute authority over all earthly rulers and His ability to decisively defeat those who oppose His people, as seen in passages like [Psalm 18:39](/psalms/18-39 "Psalm 18:39 - God's Strength in Battle"). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Transformation**, where God's intervention brings about a radical shift from chaos and conflict to a state of purity and order. The scattering of kings is an act of judgment, and the subsequent "whiteness" suggests a cleansing or renewal. Lastly, the imagery of snow embodies **Symbolism of Purity and Clarity**, suggesting that God's victory leaves behind a pristine, unambiguous scene, free from the defilement of battle, much like the cleansing described in [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins Made White as Snow").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _El Shaddai'_):** This divine name emphasizes God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and absolute power. It is a name often associated with God's covenant promises and His ability to fulfill them, even against overwhelming odds, as revealed to Abraham in [Genesis 17:1](/genesis/17-1 "Genesis 17:1 - God Appears to Abram"). In this context, it underscores that the victory described is not merely human, but a direct manifestation of God's limitless strength.
* **scattered (Hebrew, _pizar'_):** This verb denotes a forceful and complete dispersion, implying a rout or utter defeat. It suggests that the kings were not merely defeated but utterly broken and dispersed, their power annihilated. The imagery is one of total disarray and destruction for the enemy.
* **white as snow (Hebrew, _tashleg'_):** The Hebrew verb _tashleg_ literally means "it snowed" or "it was snowed upon." The KJV's addition of "[white]" clarifies the visual implication. This phrase evokes a scene of pristine, brilliant covering. The contrast with the dark mountain of Salmon makes the whiteness even more striking, emphasizing a dramatic and visible transformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When the Almighty scattered kings in it":** This clause establishes the divine agent of the action ("the Almighty") and the decisive nature of His intervention. The "kings" represent the formidable opposition to God's people, and their "scattering" signifies their complete and utter defeat. The phrase "in it" most likely refers to the battleground or the land where this decisive victory took place, setting the scene for the subsequent imagery.
* **"it was [white] as snow in Salmon.":** This clause presents a powerful simile describing the aftermath of God's victory. The "it" here is subject to various interpretations: it could refer to the battlefield strewn with the bleached bones of the defeated, the transformed landscape itself, the radiant appearance of the victorious Israelite army or the women returning with spoil, or even a symbolic representation of the purity and peace that follows God's triumph. The specific mention of "Salmon," a dark, forested mountain, intensifies the visual contrast, making the "whiteness" profoundly impactful and symbolic of a radical change.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, explicitly stating "it was [white] as snow," drawing a direct comparison to emphasize the purity, clarity, or starkness of the post-battle scene. This simile is interwoven with vivid **Imagery**, particularly the striking contrast of pristine snow against the dark, forested mountain of Salmon, which enhances the sense of dramatic transformation. The verse also utilizes **Symbolism**, where snow can represent cleansing, purification, the stark reality of death (bleached bones), or the radiant appearance of victory. Furthermore, the description of "scattering kings" and the subsequent "whiteness" could be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overwhelming and complete nature of God's triumph.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:14 powerfully articulates God's ultimate sovereignty and His active intervention in human history to secure victory for His people. It underscores that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, can stand against the Almighty. The imagery of the land being made "white as snow" after the scattering of kings speaks to God's capacity not only to judge and defeat but also to purify and transform. This transformation can be understood physically (a cleansed landscape, bleached bones) or spiritually (the purity of the victorious, the peace that follows divine intervention). It points to a God who brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and purity out of defilement through His mighty acts.

* [Isaiah 1:18](/isaiah/1-18 "Isaiah 1:18 - Sins Made White as Snow")
* [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Conquering King")
* [Psalm 18:39](/psalms/18-39 "Psalm 18:39 - God's Strength in Battle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:14 serves as a profound reminder that our God is the ultimate Victor, capable of scattering any opposition and bringing about radical transformation. In a world often marked by chaos, conflict, and spiritual darkness, this verse offers immense hope and assurance. It encourages us to trust in the "Almighty" who remains sovereign over all circumstances, whether personal struggles or global crises. Just as He brought purity and clarity to the battleground of Salmon, He is able to cleanse our lives, our hearts, and our situations, making them "white as snow." This can mean deliverance from oppressive forces, purification from sin, or the establishment of peace and order where there was turmoil. It calls us to recognize God's power to overcome and to allow His transformative work to bring about spiritual cleansing and renewed hope in our own lives and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to see the "Almighty" scatter opposing forces and bring about a transformative victory?**
* **How does the imagery of "white as snow" speak to your understanding of God's power to purify and bring clarity out of confusion?**
* **What specific "kings" or strongholds (spiritual, emotional, or circumstantial) in your life are you trusting God to scatter?**

### FAQ
**What does "in it" refer to in the first part of the verse?**

Answer: The phrase "in it" most likely refers to the battleground or the specific land where the kings were scattered. It indicates the location of the decisive divine victory, setting the stage for the subsequent description of the transformed scene. It points to a tangible place where God's power was manifested.

**Why is the mountain "Salmon" specifically mentioned?**

Answer: Mount Salmon (also known as Zalmon) was a real mountain near Shechem, known for its dark, forested slopes, as referenced in [Judges 9:48](/judges/9-48 "Judges 9:48 - Abimelech's Attack on Thebez"). Its specific mention serves to intensify the vivid imagery. The contrast between the dark, perhaps foreboding, mountain and the brilliant "white as snow" highlights the dramatic and undeniable nature of God's transformative victory. It makes the scene concrete and visually striking.

**What are the main interpretations of "it was [white] as snow"?**

Answer: Scholars offer several compelling interpretations for this striking imagery:
* **Bleached Bones:** This suggests the "whiteness" refers to the scattered bones of the defeated kings and their armies, left to bleach in the sun, starkly visible against the dark landscape of Salmon. This emphasizes the totality of the defeat.
* **Transformed Landscape:** The land itself, once stained by battle and defilement, is now purified and made pristine by God's cleansing act, much like a landscape covered in fresh snow. This highlights divine renewal.
* **Glorious Appearance of Victors:** Some propose it describes the Israelite army or, more likely given the surrounding verses, the women returning with abundant spoils, appearing radiant, pure, and triumphant, perhaps like freshly laundered garments, after God's victory.
* **Divine Blessing and Peace:** The victory brings a state of profound peace, purity, and clarity, akin to the serene beauty of a snow-covered mountain, marking an end to turmoil and the establishment of divine order. This aligns with the broader themes of God's blessing upon His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm celebrates God's historical victories over earthly kings, it foreshadows Christ's decisive triumph over the ultimate spiritual enemies: sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Just as the "Almighty scattered kings," Jesus, through His crucifixion and resurrection, "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and through His shed blood, He has made us "white as snow," cleansing us from all unrighteousness ([Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Jesus, the Faithful Witness")). The imagery of the transformed landscape, made pure and pristine, speaks to the new creation wrought in Christ, where believers are made new and given a pure standing before God. Ultimately, Christ is the conquering King who will return to fully establish His kingdom, scattering all remaining opposition and bringing about a final, glorious, and eternal state of purity and peace, as depicted in [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Conquering King").

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

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Psalms 51:7

¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Judges 9:48

And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that [were] with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid [it] on his shoulder, and said unto the people that [were] with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, [and] do as I [have done].

Revelation 19:14

And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Revelation 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Numbers 21:3

And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

Numbers 21:21

¶ And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,