Psalms 68:20

KJV

[He that is] our God [is] the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord [belong] the issues from death.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that is our God {H410} is the God {H410} of salvation {H4190}; and unto GOD {H3069} the Lord {H136} belong the issues {H8444} from death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Our God is a God who saves; from ADONAI Adonai comes escape from death.

Berean Standard Bible

Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death.

American Standard Version

God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:20 profoundly declares God's essential nature as the singular source of all deliverance and His absolute sovereignty over life and death. This verse powerfully affirms that our covenant God is inherently the God who saves, providing comprehensive salvation from all perils, and that He alone possesses ultimate authority over the boundaries and "exits" from death, offering profound comfort and unwavering assurance to those who trust in His invincible power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a magnificent and complex psalm, often characterized as a triumphal procession, celebrating Yahweh's glorious presence and victorious acts on behalf of Israel. It intricately weaves together historical allusions, from the dramatic events of the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai to the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of Zion as God's chosen dwelling place. The psalm portrays God as a divine warrior who scatters His enemies and leads His people in triumphant procession, culminating in His enthronement in Jerusalem. Within this expansive narrative of divine power and intervention, verse 20 serves as a climactic declaration of God's specific capabilities regarding salvation and mortality. It reinforces the psalm's overarching theme of God's invincible sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, following sections that speak of God's care for the needy and His provision for His inheritance, thus positioning His ultimate power over death as the capstone of His benevolent and victorious reign.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm's composition likely reflects a historical setting of significant military victory or a grand cultic procession celebrating God's kingship and His dwelling among His people in Jerusalem. It draws heavily on ancient Near Eastern imagery of divine warriors leading their armies, yet reinterprets this motif through the unique lens of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. The concept of "salvation" (Hebrew: *yeshu'ah*) was deeply ingrained in Israel's collective experience, encompassing deliverance from physical enemies, natural disasters, and oppression, as well as spiritual rescue from sin. The profound assertion that God holds "the issues from death" would have resonated deeply in a world where life was precarious and death a constant, formidable threat. This statement emphasizes God's unique and absolute power to intervene in seemingly hopeless situations, a power vividly demonstrated throughout Israel's history, from the miraculous [parting of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea") to the miraculous preservation of life in the wilderness.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 68:20 encapsulates two paramount themes central to biblical theology: God's identity as the **God of Salvation** and His absolute **Sovereignty Over Death**. The declaration "our God is the God of salvation" is not merely an attribute but a defining characteristic of Yahweh, highlighting His consistent and active role as Rescuer and Deliverer throughout salvation history. This theme is foundational, echoing from the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (as celebrated in [Exodus 15:2](/exodus/15-2 "Exodus 15:2 - The Lord is My Strength and My Song")) to the promise of ultimate redemption. Furthermore, the assertion that "unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death" profoundly speaks to God's ultimate control over life and mortality. It signifies that death is not a final victor, but its boundaries and "exits" are entirely in God's hands. This theme provides the bedrock for hope in divine preservation and, ultimately, resurrection, as powerfully expressed in passages like [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25-27 "Job 19:25-27 - My Redeemer Lives").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _môwshâʻâh'_):** From the root *yasha* (to save, deliver), this term (H4190) signifies deliverance, rescue, and comprehensive well-being. It encapsulates God's active and powerful work of liberation, whether from physical enemies, oppression, sin, or death itself. It implies not just an escape from danger, but the establishment of a state of security and flourishing brought about by divine intervention. The term carries profound theological weight, pointing to God's inherent character as the one who brings about complete freedom and wholeness for His people.
* **Issues (Hebrew, _tôwtsâʼâh'_):** This word (H8444), used in the plural collective, literally means "outgoings" or "exits." When paired with "death," it refers to the means of escape, the ways out, or the routes of deliverance from the grip of death or mortal peril. It emphasizes the boundaries or limits of death's power, which are ultimately controlled by God.
* **Death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** This term (H4194) refers to death, whether natural or violent, and concretely to the dead, their place, or state (Hades). Figuratively, it can also refer to pestilence or ruin. In the context of Psalms 68:20, it represents the ultimate human enemy and the finality of mortal existence, over which God alone has authority to provide "issues" or "exits."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[He that is] our God [is] the God of salvation":** This opening clause unequivocally declares God's essential nature and primary role. The possessive "our God" emphasizes the intimate covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, implying a personal and active involvement in their lives. The repetition of "God" (Elohim) reinforces His divine identity and supreme power. To be "the God of salvation" means that salvation is not merely one of His attributes but a fundamental aspect of His very being and character. He is the ultimate source, author, and executor of deliverance in its fullest sense—physical, spiritual, and eternal. This foundational statement provides the bedrock of trust and hope for the believer, asserting God's unwavering commitment to rescue and preserve His own.
* **"and unto GOD the Lord [belong] the issues from death":** This second clause expands upon God's sovereignty, specifically over the formidable domain of death. "Unto GOD the Lord" (Yahweh Adonai) uses two of the most significant names for God, emphasizing His absolute authority and supreme lordship over all creation. The phrase "belong the issues from death" asserts that all means of escape from death, all pathways out of mortal danger, and ultimately, the power to resurrect, are exclusively within God's domain and control. This is a profound declaration that death is not the ultimate victor; its boundaries are set, and its power is held by God alone. It speaks to His unparalleled ability to preserve life, to heal, and to provide ultimate deliverance from the grave, offering a powerful message of hope against humanity's greatest fear and the seeming finality of mortality.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 68:20 primarily employs **Parallelism**, a foundational poetic device in Hebrew scripture. The two clauses of the verse, "He that is our God is the God of salvation" and "and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death," exhibit a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**. In this structure, the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first, rather than merely repeating it. The first clause broadly establishes God as the source of salvation, while the second clause specifies and intensifies this truth by asserting His ultimate authority over death itself, which represents the most profound and comprehensive form of deliverance. This cumulative structure builds a powerful sense of God's comprehensive and invincible power. The verse also utilizes **Affirmation** or **Declaration**, presenting these truths about God's character and power as undeniable facts. This use of strong, declarative language underscores the certainty of God's sovereignty and His saving nature, intended to inspire unwavering confidence and worship in the hearts of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:20 stands as a profound theological statement, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, and His inherent nature as the Deliverer. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character throughout the biblical narrative. It affirms that God is not merely a rescuer from immediate perils but the ultimate authority who holds the keys to existence itself. This divine control provides the basis for all hope, from daily sustenance to eternal life. It underscores God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His commitment to His people extends even beyond the grave, ensuring their ultimate well-being and victory over all that threatens them. The verse thus serves as a powerful reminder of God's unparalleled power and His unwavering love for His creation, revealing a God who is actively involved in the deliverance of His people from every form of bondage, even the finality of death.

* [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - I Kill and I Make Alive")
* [1 Samuel 2:6](/1_samuel/2-6 "1 Samuel 2:6 - The Lord Kills and Makes Alive")
* [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:20 offers immense comfort and a robust foundation for faith in the face of life's most daunting challenges, including the inevitability of death. To truly grasp that "our God is the God of salvation" means recognizing His active, ongoing presence in our lives, ready to deliver us from spiritual bondage, emotional distress, physical illness, and every form of oppression. This truth calls us to surrender our anxieties and fears to Him, trusting that His power is limitless and His love unwavering. It invites us to cultivate a posture of dependence, acknowledging that our ultimate rescue comes from Him alone. Furthermore, the declaration that "unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death" transforms our perspective on mortality. It assures us that death is not the final word, nor does it possess ultimate power over us. Instead, God holds the keys to life beyond the grave, providing the ultimate hope of resurrection and eternal life. This truth empowers believers to live without the paralyzing fear of death, knowing that their ultimate destiny is secure in the hands of a sovereign and saving God, whose plan for their salvation extends far beyond this earthly existence and into eternity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "the God of salvation" impact your trust in Him during times of personal crisis or global uncertainty?**
* **In what ways does the truth that God holds "the issues from death" provide comfort or challenge your perspective on mortality and the future?**
* **How can the assurance of God's sovereignty over death empower you to live more courageously and faithfully in your daily life, free from its ultimate fear?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God as your ultimate Deliverer in all circumstances, both in this life and beyond?**

### FAQ
**What exactly does "issues from death" mean, and how does God 'belong' to them?**

Answer: The phrase "issues from death" (Hebrew: *totza'ot mavet*) literally means "exits from death" or "ways out of death." It refers to God's exclusive power and authority to provide deliverance from mortal danger, to preserve life in the face of death, and ultimately, to overcome death itself. God "belongs" to them in the sense that He is the sole possessor and controller of these "exits." Death is not an autonomous power; its boundaries and its end are entirely subject to God's will. This implies that any escape from death, whether a miraculous healing, a rescue from peril, or the ultimate resurrection, originates solely from Him. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the most feared human experience, offering profound hope that death is not the final victor, but God holds the ultimate authority, as seen in Jesus' declaration in [John 5:21](/john/5-21 "John 5:21 - The Son Gives Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:20 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The declaration that "our God is the God of salvation" is perfectly embodied in Christ, whose very name, Jesus (Yeshua), means "Yahweh saves." He is the living manifestation of God's saving power, not merely delivering from physical dangers but offering salvation from sin, its penalty, and its power, as prophesied in [Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins"). Furthermore, the profound truth that "unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death" is definitively demonstrated through Christ's resurrection. Jesus not only conquered death by rising from the grave, thereby proving His divine authority over it ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ Died to Sin Once for All")), but He also explicitly states that He holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")), signifying His absolute and eternal authority over the domain of death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His victorious resurrection, Christ became the ultimate "exit from death" for all who believe, offering not just temporary reprieve but eternal life and the sure promise of a future resurrection ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and by His victory, He has "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" ([2 Timothy 1:10](/2_timothy/1-10 "2 Timothy 1:10 - Christ Abolished Death")), making Him the very embodiment of God's salvation and triumph over death.

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 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

1 Samuel 2:6

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

John 5:21

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

Psalms 118:17

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.

Psalms 118:18

The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.

John 5:28

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,