Psalms 68:28

KJV

Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy God {H430} hath commanded {H6680}{H8765)} thy strength {H5797}: strengthen {H5810}{H8798)}, O God {H430}, that which {H2098} thou hast wrought {H6466}{H8804)} for us.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, summon your strength! Use your strength, God, as you did for us before,

Berean Standard Bible

Summon Your power, O God; show Your strength, O God, which You have exerted on our behalf.

American Standard Version

Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:28 is a profound declaration of divine sovereignty and a fervent prayer for God's continued intervention. It acknowledges that all true strength and capability originate from God's authoritative decree, then transitions into an earnest petition for Him to fortify and bring to completion the mighty works He has already accomplished on behalf of His people. This verse encapsulates a deep theological truth about God's initiating and sustaining power, coupled with a humble human dependence on His ongoing faithfulness, serving as both an affirmation of divine omnipotence and an urgent plea for its continued manifestation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 68 is a majestic and triumphal processional psalm, often associated with the ark's journey to Zion or a celebration of God's victory. It commences with a powerful invocation, "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered" ([Psalms 68:1](/psalms/68-1 "Psalms 68:1 - God Arises")), echoing the ancient battle cry from [Numbers 10:35](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - The Ark's Journey"). The psalm vividly recounts God's historical interventions on behalf of Israel, from the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai ([Psalms 68:7-8](/psalms/68-7-8 "Psalms 68:7-8 - God at Sinai")) to His providential care for the desolate and oppressed ([Psalms 68:5-6](/psalms/68-5-6 "Psalms 68:5-6 - God for the Fatherless")). The verses immediately preceding Psalms 68:28 describe God's powerful presence among His people, His ascent to Zion, and the joyful gathering of the "companies of singers" and "damsels playing with timbrels" ([Psalms 68:25](/psalms/68-25 "Psalms 68:25 - The Procession")). Verse 28 serves as a pivotal moment, shifting from descriptive praise of God's past and present power to a direct, intercessory prayer for the solidification of His ongoing work, particularly as the psalm anticipates the establishment of God's dwelling place and the gathering of His people in worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 68 is widely believed to be a psalm of David, composed possibly for the occasion of bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem ([2 Samuel 6](/2_samuel/6 "2 Samuel 6 - The Ark Comes to Jerusalem")) or as a celebration of a significant military victory. It draws heavily on ancient Israelite traditions, particularly the imagery of God as a divine warrior leading His people in triumph, reminiscent of the wilderness wanderings and the conquest of Canaan. The "procession" described in the psalm would have been a familiar cultural phenomenon, involving religious parades and celebrations of divine victory and presence, often accompanied by music and dance. The references to God's care for the "fatherless" and "widows" ([Psalms 68:5](/psalms/68-5 "Psalms 68:5 - God's Care for the Vulnerable")) reflect the societal values and ethical demands of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing justice and compassion for the vulnerable. The psalm's setting is one where the people of Israel are acutely aware of God's direct, miraculous intervention in their history, shaping their identity and ensuring their survival against formidable foes, thus grounding their present plea in a rich heritage of divine faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 68 and the broader Psalter. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, emphasizing that God is the ultimate source of all strength and the orchestrator of all good works. It underscores **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**, recalling His historical acts of deliverance and establishment, which form the basis for the psalmist's present plea. The theme of **Dependence and Trust in God** is powerfully articulated, as the psalmist acknowledges human insufficiency and humbly petitions God to complete what only He can accomplish. Furthermore, it highlights the **Intercessory Nature of Prayer**, demonstrating how a deep understanding of God's character and past actions fuels fervent prayers for His continued intervention. The concept of God "wrought for us" points to His **Redemptive Activity**, a continuous thread from the Exodus ([Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Red Sea Crossing")) to the establishment of Zion ([Psalms 78:68-69](/psalms/78-68-69 "Psalms 78:68-69 - God Chooses Zion")), culminating in the ultimate redemptive work in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** This verb (H6680) signifies a divine decree, an authoritative appointment, or a solemn charge. It conveys the idea that God's gift of strength is not accidental or incidental, but purposeful, willed, and ordained by His sovereign authority. It implies a direct, intentional act of God to bestow power and capability, making it a matter of divine will and design.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _ʻôz'_):** This noun (H5797) denotes might, power, security, and vigor. It encompasses not just physical prowess but also spiritual fortitude, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles. In the context of God, it refers to His inherent omnipotence; when applied to humans or the people of God, it is strength derived from, and sustained by, God, serving as a bulwark against adversity.
* **Wrought (Hebrew, _pâʻal'_):** This verb (H6466) means to do, to make, to accomplish, or to work. It refers to God's active, impactful, and effective work on behalf of His people. It signifies completed actions and established realities, pointing to God's past interventions and achievements that form the foundation for the psalmist's present request, emphasizing God's consistent and purposeful activity in history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy God hath commanded thy strength:"** This opening clause is a declarative statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all power and capability. It directly attributes the existence and manifestation of "strength" (whether of the people, the sanctuary, or the king) to a divine decree. It establishes that any true might is not self-generated but divinely ordained and bestowed by the covenant God of Israel, highlighting His initiating role in empowering His people.
* **"strengthen, O God,"** This is a direct, urgent petition to God. The repetition of the root idea of "strength" (from the first clause) in this imperative form underscores the psalmist's earnest desire for God's continued, reinforcing action. It is a plea for God to confirm, solidify, and empower what He has already initiated, indicating a recognition that even divinely given strength requires divine sustenance and ongoing enablement.
* **"that which thou hast wrought for us."** This final clause specifies the object of the prayer for strengthening. It refers to God's past accomplishments and works on behalf of His people – His acts of deliverance, provision, establishment, and protection throughout their history. The "us" emphasizes the communal nature of God's actions and the collective hope of Israel. The prayer is for God to secure and bring to fruition these already established works, ensuring their endurance and ultimate success.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its theological impact and emotional resonance. The most prominent is **Direct Address** and **Petition**, as the psalmist speaks directly to God, first declaring a truth about Him ("Thy God hath commanded...") and then making an urgent request ("strengthen, O God..."). This creates an intimate and dependent tone, fostering a sense of immediate communion. There is also a subtle **Parallelism** between the declarative statement of God's past action ("commanded thy strength") and the petition for His future action ("strengthen...that which thou hast wrought"). This highlights the continuity of God's work across time. The repetition of the concept of "strength" (from "commanded thy strength" to "strengthen") functions as a form of **Emphasis** or **Anaphora**, intensifying the plea and underscoring the central theme of divine power as both source and sustainer. Finally, the phrase "that which thou hast wrought for us" serves as a form of **Merism** or **Synecdoche**, referring to the entirety of God's saving acts and historical interventions on behalf of Israel, encapsulating a vast narrative of divine faithfulness in a concise and evocative phrase.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:28 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is both the initiator and the sustainer of all good works, particularly those pertaining to His covenant people. It underscores the concept of divine grace, where strength and accomplishment are not earned but divinely bestowed and maintained. The verse teaches that our confidence in prayer for future help is rooted in the remembrance of God's past faithfulness and His completed actions. It fosters a posture of humble dependence, acknowledging that even the strength we possess is a gift from God, and therefore, its continuation and effectiveness require His ongoing intervention. This theological framework encourages believers to look to God alone as the ultimate source of empowerment for every endeavor, trusting that He who begins a good work is also faithful to bring it to completion.

* [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - God Gives Power to Get Wealth")
* [Isaiah 40:29](/isaiah/40-29 "Isaiah 40:29 - God Gives Power to the Faint")
* [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Completes His Good Work")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:28 offers a profound framework for understanding our relationship with God and the nature of our strength. It calls us to a posture of radical dependence, reminding us that any true capability, resilience, or success we experience in life, ministry, or personal growth is ultimately a divinely commanded strength. This truth should humble us, stripping away self-reliance and fostering a deep gratitude for God's empowering presence. Furthermore, the verse transforms our prayer life, moving us beyond simply asking for new things to earnestly petitioning God to strengthen and complete the good works He has already initiated in us and through us. It encourages us to look back at His faithfulness in our past, recognizing "that which He has wrought for us," and to use that remembrance as the foundation for confident prayer for His continued sustaining power in the present and future. In a world that often celebrates self-made success, this verse redirects our gaze to the divine source, inviting us to labor not in our own might, but in the strength that God Himself commands and continually fortifies, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to rely on your own strength rather than acknowledging God as the source?**
* **What "works" has God already "wrought for you" in your past that can serve as a basis for your present prayers for strength and completion?**
* **How might acknowledging God as the commander of your strength change your approach to challenges and opportunities?**
* **What specific areas of your life or ministry are you currently praying for God to "strengthen" and bring to fruition?**

### FAQ
**What does "Thy God hath commanded thy strength" mean for me today?**

Answer: This phrase means that any genuine strength, capability, or spiritual fortitude you possess is not inherent to you but is a direct, intentional gift and decree from God. For believers, this implies that our ability to live righteously, serve effectively, or endure trials comes from God's empowering presence. It fosters humility and dependence, reminding us that our sufficiency is from Him ([2 Corinthians 3:5](/2_corinthians/3-5 "2 Corinthians 3:5 - Our Sufficiency is from God")). It encourages us to lean into His power rather than relying on our own limited resources, recognizing that He has ordained and provided the strength necessary for His purposes in our lives, enabling us to walk in His will.

**How does "strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us" relate to God's faithfulness?**

Answer: This petition is deeply rooted in God's faithfulness. The psalmist is essentially praying, "God, because You have already demonstrated Your power and faithfulness by accomplishing great things for us in the past, please continue to sustain and bring to completion those very works." It's an appeal to God's consistent character, His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Just as God began the work of salvation and establishment for Israel, He is faithful to complete it. This aligns with New Testament teachings, such as [Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Will Complete His Work"), which assures us that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." It's a prayer that trusts in God's unwavering commitment to His people and His purposes, knowing His past actions guarantee His future faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:28 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's commanded strength, the very "power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")). The "strength" that God commands is perfectly manifested in Christ's life, ministry, and especially in His triumphant resurrection, which demonstrates God's ultimate power over sin and death ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Mighty Power in Christ")). Furthermore, the prayer "strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us" resonates deeply with the finished work of Christ on the cross. His atoning sacrifice is the supreme "work wrought for us," accomplishing our redemption and reconciliation with God ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Through the Holy Spirit, the strength commanded by God is now imparted to believers, enabling them to live a new life and to participate in God's ongoing work ([Ephesians 3:16](/ephesians/3-16 "Ephesians 3:16 - Strengthened by the Spirit")). The faithfulness of God to complete His work, as prayed for in this psalm, is guaranteed in Christ, who is "the author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, Author and Perfecter of Faith")). Thus, this ancient prayer becomes a vibrant declaration of God's power made available to us through our union with the risen Christ, who continues to strengthen and perfect all that God has graciously begun for His people, ensuring His eternal purposes are brought to glorious completion.

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 138:8

The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psalms 71:3

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou [art] my rock and my fortress.

Psalms 42:8

[Yet] the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.