Psalms 68:24

KJV

They have seen thy goings, O God; [even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

KJV (with Strong's)

They have seen {H7200}{H8804)} thy goings {H1979}, O God {H430}; even the goings {H1979} of my God {H410}, my King {H4428}, in the sanctuary {H6944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They see your processions, God, the processions of my God, my king, in holiness.

Berean Standard Bible

They have seen Your procession, O God— the march of my God and King into the sanctuary.

American Standard Version

They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:24 offers a profound glimpse into the majestic and visible procession of God, portraying Him as a triumphant King entering or moving within His sacred dwelling. The verse captures the awe and reverence of onlookers witnessing the dynamic, sovereign presence of the Almighty in the sanctuary, underscoring His active reign and the public display of His glory among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a complex and magnificent psalm, widely considered a psalm of national triumph, possibly celebrating a military victory, the procession of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, or a grand liturgical event. It begins with an echo of the wilderness march formula from [Numbers 10:35](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - The Lord's Presence in the Wilderness March"), "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered," setting a tone of divine conquest and leadership. The psalm vividly describes God as a warrior leading His people, bringing justice, and establishing His dwelling among them. Verse 24 specifically fits within a section (vv. 24-27) that depicts a grand procession into the sanctuary, showcasing the various participants and the glorious appearance of God Himself. It is a moment of climax, where the divine "goings" are publicly observed and celebrated.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of God's "goings" or procession would have resonated deeply with ancient Israelite understanding of their God as a living, active deity who led them in battle and dwelt among them. The Ark of the Covenant, often seen as the physical representation of God's presence, was central to their worship and military campaigns (e.g., [2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")). The "sanctuary" refers to the tabernacle or, later, the temple, the consecrated space where God's presence was uniquely manifested. This scene reflects ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine kings processing into their temples, but here, it is Yahweh, the true King, whose majestic entry is described, affirming His unique sovereignty over all other gods and kings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 68 and the Psalter. Firstly, it highlights **God's Manifest Presence**, emphasizing that the Lord is not a distant deity but one who actively reveals Himself and intervenes in the affairs of His people, making His "goings" visible and impactful. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Kingship**, with the repetition "my God, my King" underscoring His absolute authority and royal dominion, a theme prevalent throughout the Psalms (e.g., [Psalms 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "Psalms 93:1 - The Lord Reigns")). Thirdly, the setting "in the sanctuary" points to **Worship and God's Dwelling**, signifying that God's power and glory are uniquely manifested and experienced within the consecrated space where His people gather to adore Him. Finally, the "goings" themselves imply a **Triumphant Procession**, celebrating God's victorious advance over His enemies and His establishment of His kingdom and presence among His chosen people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goings (Hebrew, _halikot'_):** This word, derived from the root הָלַךְ (halak, "to walk" or "to go"), carries a richer meaning than simple movement. In this context, _halikot_ denotes a majestic, solemn, or purposeful procession, a grand march, or a stately entrance. It implies a dynamic, active, and visible manifestation of God's presence, rather than a static dwelling. The plural form emphasizes the repeated or continuous nature of these divine movements or the various aspects of His majestic advance.
* **Sanctuary (Hebrew, _baqqodesh'_):** This phrase literally means "in the holy place" or "in holiness." It refers to the consecrated space of worship—the tabernacle or, later, the temple—where God's presence was uniquely revealed and where His people met with Him. The "sanctuary" is the locus of divine manifestation and the center of Israelite worship, signifying that God's glorious "goings" are observed and celebrated within the sacred sphere of His covenant relationship with His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They have seen thy goings, O God;":** This opening clause immediately establishes a public, observable event. "They" refers to the assembled people, perhaps the participants in the procession or the onlookers, who are direct witnesses to God's majestic movements. The phrase "thy goings" (or "Your marches/processions") highlights the dynamic and active nature of God's presence, emphasizing that He is not a static deity but one who moves, acts, and leads. The direct address, "O God," underscores the divine subject of this grand display.
* **"[even] the goings of my God, my King,":** This phrase serves as an appositional restatement, intensifying and clarifying the nature of the "goings." The repetition of "goings" reinforces the awe and significance of the divine movement. The possessive "my God, my King" expresses a personal, covenantal relationship between the speaker (or the collective Israel) and God, emphasizing His sovereignty, authority, and royal dominion over His people. He is not just any god, but *their* God, *their* King, leading them in triumph.
* **"in the sanctuary.":** This final phrase specifies the location where these majestic "goings" are observed. The "sanctuary" (the holy place, tabernacle, or temple) is the sacred space where God's presence is uniquely manifested among His people. It signifies that this divine procession culminates in or takes place within the consecrated sphere of worship, affirming God's dwelling among His people and the sacredness of their encounter with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 68:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine majesty. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "thy goings... the goings of my God," which serves to emphasize the awe-inspiring nature and certainty of God's majestic movements. This repetition creates a sense of solemnity and grandeur. **Parallelism** is also present, as the second part of the verse ("the goings of my God, my King") expands upon and intensifies the first ("thy goings, O God"), providing further insight into the identity and role of the One who is processing. This is an example of synonymous parallelism with an intensifying effect. Finally, the verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a grand, triumphant procession, allowing the reader to visualize the awe-struck onlookers and the majestic, active presence of God, the King, entering His holy dwelling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:24 profoundly contributes to the biblical understanding of God's active presence and sovereign rule. It portrays a God who is not distant or static, but dynamic, engaged, and visibly manifest among His people. This "going" signifies His leadership, His triumph over enemies, and His establishment of His kingdom. The setting in the sanctuary underscores the sacredness of His dwelling and the privilege of His people to witness and participate in His glorious movements. The verse affirms that true worship involves recognizing and responding to the active, kingly presence of God in our midst, inspiring both reverence and joy. It foreshadows the ultimate reality of God dwelling fully among His people, a theme that culminates in the New Testament.

* [Exodus 15:11](/exodus/15-11 "Exodus 15:11 - God's Uniqueness and Holiness") - "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
* [Isaiah 6:1](/isaiah/6-1 "Isaiah 6:1 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Throne") - "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
* [Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Worship Around the Throne") - "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:24 invites us to cultivate a profound awareness of God's active presence in our lives and in the world. While we no longer witness literal divine processions into a physical sanctuary, the spiritual reality remains: "our God, our King" is continually "going" among us. This means recognizing His hand in the unfolding of history, His guidance in our personal journeys, and His dynamic work within the church. We are called to be attentive observers, discerning His sovereign movements, whether in moments of personal triumph, collective worship, or global events. This verse encourages us to worship with a sense of awe and reverence, knowing that the Almighty King is not remote but intimately involved, leading His people to victory and establishing His eternal kingdom. Our response should be one of adoration, trust, and joyful participation in His ongoing work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "goings" challenge any tendency to view God as static or distant?**
* **In what ways do you perceive the "goings" of "my God, my King" in your personal life or in the life of the church today?**
* **What does it mean to "see" God's goings in a spiritual sense, and how can we cultivate a greater awareness of His active presence?**
* **How does the understanding of God as "my King" influence your submission and worship?**

### FAQ

**What does "thy goings" specifically refer to in this context?**
Answer: In Psalms 68:24, "thy goings" (Hebrew: _halikot_) refers to God's majestic, purposeful, and dynamic movements or processions. It evokes the image of a triumphant King marching into His sanctuary or leading His people in victory. It signifies God's active, visible manifestation and intervention, rather than a static presence. This could be a reference to historical events like the Ark's procession into Jerusalem (as described in [2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")) or a more general theological statement about God's sovereign and powerful activity among His people.

**Why is God referred to as "my God, my King" in this verse?**
Answer: The dual title "my God, my King" emphasizes both the personal and the sovereign relationship between the worshiper (or Israel collectively) and Yahweh. "My God" speaks to the covenantal intimacy and faithfulness of God to His people, while "my King" underscores His absolute authority, dominion, and royal rule. The repetition of "my" indicates a deep, possessive, and exclusive devotion. It means that the God who is actively moving and revealing Himself is also the supreme ruler who commands loyalty and adoration, and He is personally committed to His people. This title reinforces the theme of God's kingship, which is central to the Psalms (e.g., [Psalms 99:1](/psalms/99-1 "Psalms 99:1 - The Lord Reigns")).

**What is the significance of these "goings" occurring "in the sanctuary"?**
Answer: The phrase "in the sanctuary" (Hebrew: _baqqodesh_) highlights that God's majestic movements are observed within the consecrated space of worship—the tabernacle or temple. This signifies that God's power, glory, and active presence are uniquely manifested where His people gather to worship Him according to His covenant. It underscores the holiness of the place and the sacredness of the encounter. It also implies that the ultimate destination of God's triumphant march is His dwelling place among His people, affirming His desire to be present with them and receive their adoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:24 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "goings" of God, the King, are perfectly embodied in the earthly ministry of Jesus, who "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus' Ministry")). His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds proclaimed Him as King, was a literal "going" of the Son of God into His earthly sanctuary ([Matthew 21:9](/matthew/21-9 "Matthew 21:9 - Triumphal Entry")). More significantly, the ascension of Christ, where He was "taken up into heaven" to sit at the right hand of God, represents the ultimate "going" of our God and King into the heavenly sanctuary, from which He now reigns ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus"); [Hebrews 9:24](/hebrews/9-24 "Hebrews 9:24 - Christ's Entrance into the Heavenly Sanctuary")). He is the true Lamb of God who entered the holy place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Sacrifice and Eternal Redemption")). Furthermore, the "goings" of our God and King will culminate in His glorious return, when He will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to establish His eternal kingdom and dwell forever with His redeemed people, making all things new ([1 Thessalonians 4:16](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16 - The Lord's Return"); [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with Humanity")). Thus, the majestic procession of God envisioned in the Psalm finds its ultimate reality in Christ's past triumph, present reign, and future coming.

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

Psalms 24:7

¶ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Psalms 24:10

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he [is] the King of glory. Selah.

Psalms 63:2

To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

2 Samuel 6:12

¶ And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

2 Samuel 6:17

And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

1 Chronicles 15:16

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.

1 Chronicles 15:24

And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah [were] doorkeepers for the ark.