Psalms 68:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Why leap {H7520}{H8762)} ye, ye high {H1386} hills {H2022}? this is the hill {H2022} which God {H430} desireth {H2530}{H8804)} to dwell in {H3427}{H8800)}; yea, the LORD {H3068} will dwell {H7931}{H8799)} in it for ever {H5331}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You rugged mountain, why look with envy at the mountain God wants for his place to live? Truly, ADONAI will live there forever.

Berean Standard Bible

Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.

American Standard Version

Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:16 is a profound poetic declaration asserting God's sovereign and affectionate choice of Mount Zion as His eternal dwelling place, contrasting it sharply with other, perhaps more physically imposing, mountains. This verse, embedded within a grand triumphal psalm, celebrates the Lord's victorious procession, His establishment of His presence among His people, and His enduring commitment to reside in the place He has chosen, not based on worldly grandeur but on divine desire and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 68 is a majestic and complex psalm of victory and procession, often associated with the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem by King David, or a similar great national triumph and the establishment of God's dwelling. It commences with a battle cry echoing the wilderness march (`"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered!"` as found in [Numbers 10:35](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - Moses' Prayer for God to Arise")), portraying God as a divine warrior leading His people, scattering His foes, and providing for the needy. Amidst this celebration of divine power and provision, verses [Psalms 68:7-15](/psalms/68-7-15 "Psalm 68:7-15 - God's March and Provision") recount God's powerful acts in the wilderness, His leading of Israel, and His provision of rain and blessings. Verse 16 then shifts focus to the physical landscape, setting the stage for God's ultimate ascent to His chosen dwelling place in [Psalms 68:18](/psalms/68-18 "Psalm 68:18 - God's Ascent and Gifts for Men"), a passage famously quoted in the New Testament.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "high hills" mentioned in the verse likely refer to other prominent, perhaps taller or more majestic, mountains in the region, such as Mount Bashan (mentioned in [Psalms 68:15](/psalms/68-15 "Psalm 68:15 - Mount Bashan")) or Mount Hermon. Geographically, Mount Zion, though strategically important as the site of Jerusalem, is not the highest peak in Israel. The rhetorical question, "Why leap ye, ye high hills?", personifies these mountains, suggesting a sense of awe, perhaps even envy or rivalry, from these grander peaks towards the comparatively modest Mount Zion. This humble hill was divinely selected as the site for God's temple and throne in Jerusalem, establishing it as the spiritual and political capital of Israel. This choice underscored God's independence from human standards of impressiveness and His sovereign will in establishing His presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Election and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's choices are not based on human standards of grandeur or physical impressiveness; rather, He sovereignly chooses whom and where He desires to bless and inhabit, as seen throughout the biblical narrative from the election of Abraham to the choice of Israel. Secondly, the declaration "the LORD will dwell in it for ever" underscores **God's Enduring Presence and Covenant Faithfulness**, emphasizing the permanence of God's commitment to His chosen place and His people. This theme is foundational to God's relationship with Israel, from the Tabernacle to the Temple, as described in [Exodus 29:45-46](/exodus/29-45-46 "Exodus 29:45-46 - God's Dwelling Among Israel"). Thirdly, it elevates the **Significance of Mount Zion** as the spiritual center of Israel, the place where God established His temple and throne, making it a powerful symbol of God's presence, protection, and the spiritual hope for His people throughout the Old Testament narrative, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - Zion as the Center of God's Kingdom") and [Psalm 132:13-14](/psalms/132-13-14 "Psalm 132:13-14 - God's Choice of Zion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **leap (Hebrew, _râtsad'_):** From H7520, this primitive root suggests looking askant or being jealous. In the context of the high hills, it vividly personifies them as "leaping" or trembling with a sense of wonder, agitation, or even envy at Zion's unique privilege of being chosen by God, despite their own greater physical stature. It implies a restless, perhaps envious or awestruck, watching from the other mountains.
* **desireth (Hebrew, _châmad'_):** From H2530, this primitive root means "to delight in." It signifies God's profound affection, pleasure, or strong desire for Zion. Unlike the negative connotation of "covet" in the Ten Commandments, here it expresses God's active, loving preference and deep satisfaction in making Zion His chosen dwelling place. It highlights God's sovereign and benevolent choice.
* **for ever (Hebrew, _netsach'_):** From H5331, this word refers to a goal, splendor, truthfulness, or confidence, but adverbially, it means continually or to the most distant point. When used with "dwell," it emphasizes the eternal, perpetual, and enduring nature of God's dwelling. It signifies an everlasting commitment, reinforcing the permanence of God's presence and covenant faithfulness to His chosen place and, by extension, to His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Why leap ye, ye high hills?":** This rhetorical question, addressed to other majestic mountains like Bashan, personifies them, suggesting they are agitated, perhaps with envy, awe, or a sense of humble submission, at Mount Zion's unexpected divine favor. Despite their greater height and natural grandeur, they are not the chosen dwelling place of God, prompting this poetic inquiry into their reaction.
* **"[this is] the hill [which] God desireth to dwell in;":** This clause provides the direct answer to the rhetorical question, revealing God's sovereign and affectionate choice of Mount Zion. It underscores that God's selection is based purely on His divine will and deep desire, not on any inherent impressiveness or physical superiority of the mountain itself, highlighting the principle of divine election.
* **"yea, the LORD will dwell [in it] for ever.":** This final affirmation emphasizes the permanence and eternal nature of God's commitment to His chosen dwelling place. It signifies an everlasting presence, reinforcing the unwavering faithfulness of the Lord (Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God) to Zion and, by extension, to His covenant people, promising an unceasing, unbroken divine presence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices**. Foremost is **Personification**, where the "high hills" are given human-like qualities, depicted as "leaping" or watching with a sense of agitation, envy, or awe. This vivid imagery makes the landscape an active participant in God's divine drama. The opening **Rhetorical Question**, "Why leap ye, ye high hills?", directly engages the reader and highlights the unexpected nature of God's choice, drawing attention to the divine preference over natural superiority. There is a clear **Contrast** established between the "high hills" (representing worldly impressiveness and natural grandeur) and "this hill" (Mount Zion, representing God's humble, sovereignly chosen dwelling). Finally, the concluding phrase, "yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever," serves as a strong **Affirmation and Emphasis**, solidifying the eternal and unwavering nature of God's divine intent and presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:16 profoundly illustrates the theological principle of divine election, where God's choices are not predicated on human standards of grandeur or worldly impressiveness. Just as God chose a relatively modest hill like Zion over more majestic peaks, He often chooses the humble, the overlooked, or the seemingly less significant to display His glory and establish His presence. This verse connects directly to the broader biblical theme of God's desire to dwell among His people, a desire first expressed in the command to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, then realized in the Temple on Mount Zion, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ and His Church. The permanence of God's dwelling, "for ever," points to His enduring faithfulness and the eternal nature of His covenant with humanity, a promise that transcends physical locations and culminates in a spiritual reality.

* [Psalm 132:13-14](/psalms/132-13-14 "Psalm 132:13-14 - God's Chosen Dwelling in Zion")
* [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [1 Kings 8:13](/1_kings/8-13 "1 Kings 8:13 - Solomon's Dedication of the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:16 offers a powerful reminder that God's favor, presence, and blessing are not contingent on outward appearances, worldly impressiveness, or human merit. He delights in choosing the humble, the overlooked, and the seemingly insignificant to manifest His glory. For believers today, this principle resonates deeply: God, through the Holy Spirit, delights to dwell in the hearts of His people, making each believer a "temple of God" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). This challenges us to consider where we seek God's presence and how we value His dwelling. Do we chase after external grandeur, or do we recognize that God's deepest desire is to be intimately present with us, even in our humble circumstances? The promise of God's eternal dwelling, first in Zion and ultimately in the new heaven and new earth ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity in the New Creation")), provides immense assurance of His unwavering commitment to fellowship with His people, a reality that will be fully realized in its most glorious sense.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's choice of Mount Zion, a seemingly modest hill, challenge our human tendencies to value outward impressiveness or status over divine election and humility?**
* **In what ways do you personally experience or recognize God's desire to dwell with you, as His chosen temple through the Holy Spirit?**
* **How does the promise of God's eternal dwelling, both in ancient Zion and ultimately in the New Creation, shape your hope and perspective on God's faithfulness and future plans?**

### FAQ
**Why is Mount Zion described as less impressive than other hills in this context?**

Answer: Geographically, Mount Zion (part of Jerusalem) is not the highest or most imposing mountain in the region compared to peaks like Mount Hermon or Mount Bashan, which are mentioned in the psalm. The verse highlights this disparity not to diminish Zion, but to magnify God's sovereign choice. It emphasizes that God's selection of a dwelling place is not based on human standards of grandeur or physical impressiveness, but solely on His divine will and desire. This underscores His independence and the principle that His favor is not earned by outward magnificence, but is an act of pure grace and election, as seen in His choice of Israel itself as His people ([Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7-8 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love for Israel")).

**What does "leap ye" mean when applied to mountains in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "Why leap ye, ye high hills?" uses **personification**, a literary device where inanimate objects are given human qualities. The Hebrew word for "leap" (רָצַד, _râtsad'_) can convey a sense of watching with envy, trembling, or even looking askance. In this context, it vividly portrays the other, taller mountains as being agitated, perhaps with awe, jealousy, or even humble submission, as they witness God's unexpected and sovereign choice of the comparatively modest Mount Zion as His eternal dwelling place. It's a poetic way to express the unique privilege bestowed upon Zion, implying that even creation acknowledges God's unique and surprising choices.

**How does God "desire to dwell" in a specific place like Mount Zion? Does this imply a need on God's part?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "desireth" (חָמַד, _châmad'_) implies a deep delight, pleasure, or strong affection. It signifies God's profound satisfaction and sovereign choice, not a need. God, being omnipresent and transcendent, is not confined to any physical location ([1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - God's Omnipresence")). However, He graciously condescends to establish a special, localized presence among His people as a tangible sign of His covenant relationship, His faithfulness, and His desire for fellowship. His "dwelling" in Zion symbolizes His commitment to Israel and His intention to be accessible to them, providing a focal point for worship and a place where His glory could be manifested, demonstrating His immanence without compromising His transcendence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:16, with its declaration of God's sovereign choice of Mount Zion as His eternal dwelling, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Zion was the earthly locus of God's presence, it was always a foreshadowing of a greater reality. In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, for in Him "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He is Immanuel, "God with us," the Word who "became flesh, and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), literally "tabernacled" among us), making God's presence tangible and personal. Furthermore, this truth expands to include the Church, the body of Christ, which is described as God's "holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - The Church as a Holy Temple")) and the dwelling place of God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - God's Dwelling Place by the Spirit")). Believers themselves are individual "temples of the Holy Ghost" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The New Testament also reinterprets Zion not merely as a physical mountain but as the "heavenly Jerusalem," to which believers have come through Christ ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). The eternal promise of God's dwelling "for ever" culminates in the vision of the new heaven and new earth, where the "tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Humanity in the New Creation")), signifying the perfect and eternal communion between God and His redeemed people, fully realized in Christ.

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 12:5

¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

Psalms 132:13

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

Psalms 132:14

This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

Hebrews 12:22

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,