Psalms 68:23

That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of [thine] enemies, [and] the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

That thy foot {H7272} may be dipped {H4272}{H8799)} in the blood {H1818} of thine enemies {H341}{H8802)}, and the tongue {H3956} of thy dogs {H3611} in the same.

so that you can wash your feet in their blood, and your dogs' tongues too can get their share from your foes.

that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foesβ€” the tongues of your dogs in the same.”

That thou mayest crush them, dipping thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.

Commentary

Psalms 68:23 presents a vivid and intense image of decisive victory and judgment over God's enemies. This verse is part of a triumphant psalm that celebrates God's majestic power and His leadership over His people, often associated with military procession and divine conquest.

Context of Psalms 68:23

Psalm 68 is a powerful hymn, often described as a victory psalm or a song of procession, possibly celebrating the movement of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem or a significant military triumph. It depicts God as a mighty warrior who scatters His adversaries and brings blessing to His people. Verses leading up to 23 describe God's judgment on the rebellious and His protective care for the righteous. The imagery in this verse, therefore, serves as a stark conclusion to the defeat of those who oppose God, emphasizing the thoroughness and finality of His triumph. For instance, the psalm begins with a similar declaration of God's might against His enemies: "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice and Vengeance: The verse powerfully illustrates God's ultimate response to those who defy Him and oppress His people. It speaks to a time when all wrongs will be righted and divine justice will be fully executed.
  • Decisive Victory: The graphic imagery of feet and dogs' tongues dipped in blood signifies an overwhelming and complete defeat of the enemy. It leaves no doubt about the absolute triumph of God and His chosen ones over their adversaries.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: This verse serves as a solemn warning about the fate of those who persist in rebellion against the Almighty. It underscores the severity of divine judgment for unrepentant wickedness.

Linguistic Insights and Imagery

The KJV text uses highly evocative language. "That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of [thine] enemies" (Hebrew: dām) is a powerful metaphor for treading down and utterly crushing the opposition. The phrase "and the tongue of thy dogs in the same" adds another layer of grim detail. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, dogs were often scavengers, and their involvement here points to the utter destruction and dishonor of the defeated. The fallen enemies would not even receive a proper burial, their bodies left to be consumed, signifying a complete and humiliating end. This imagery is not meant to be taken as a literal command for human action, but rather as a poetic depiction of God's absolute and devastating victory.

Interpretation and Practical Application

For a contemporary audience, this verse, while graphic, speaks to the certainty of God's ultimate triumph over all forms of evil, oppression, and spiritual wickedness. It assures believers that though they may face trials and opposition, God will ultimately prevail. This isn't an endorsement of human violence or vengeance, but rather a profound theological statement about God's sovereignty and His commitment to justice. In a spiritual sense, it can be understood as God's decisive victory over the spiritual forces of darkness, as depicted in passages like Ephesians 6:12 concerning spiritual warfare. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God will ultimately bring His perfect justice and establish His kingdom, where all enemies of righteousness will be definitively subdued, echoing the triumphant imagery found in Revelation 19:13, where Christ's garment is dipped in blood as a sign of judgment and victory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 58:10

    The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

  • 1 Kings 21:19

    And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.

  • 1 Kings 22:38

    And [one] washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

  • Revelation 19:17

    And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 9:33

    And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and [some] of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

  • 2 Kings 9:37

    And the carcase of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; [so] that they shall not say, This [is] Jezebel.
← Back