Psalms 68:29

KJV

Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Because of thy temple {H1964} at Jerusalem {H3389} shall kings {H4428} bring {H2986}{H8686)} presents {H7862} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

from your temple in Yerushalayim, where kings will bring tribute to you.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts.

American Standard Version

Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:29 is a prophetic declaration embedded within a grand processional psalm celebrating God's triumphant power and presence. It anticipates a future time when, because of God's established dwelling place in the Temple at Jerusalem, even powerful earthly kings and nations will acknowledge His supreme sovereignty and bring Him homage and tribute. This verse underscores God's universal dominion and the magnetic draw of His holy presence, envisioning a world where all authority bows before the Lord of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a magnificent song of triumph, often interpreted as a processional psalm, perhaps sung during the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem or a major festival. It recounts God's powerful acts of deliverance, from the Exodus and wilderness wanderings (vv. 7-10) to His establishment of Zion as His dwelling place (vv. 15-18). The psalm progresses from God's past victories to His present reign and then, as in verse 29, to a future vision of universal acknowledgment. This verse specifically follows a section that describes God's majestic procession and His dwelling in Zion, setting the stage for the nations to recognize His glory emanating from His sanctuary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple in Jerusalem, completed by Solomon, served as the central sanctuary for Israelite worship and was considered the symbolic dwelling place of God's presence on earth. In the ancient Near East, kings bringing "presents" or tribute to a superior ruler or deity was a common practice signifying submission, fealty, and recognition of authority. This verse reflects a deeply held prophetic hope within Israel that their God, Yahweh, would ultimately be recognized as the supreme sovereign by all nations, not just Israel. The Temple, therefore, was not merely a local shrine but was envisioned as a beacon attracting universal homage.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 68 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights [God's universal sovereignty](/psalms/47-7 "Psalm 47:7 - God is King Over All the Earth"), emphasizing that His authority extends far beyond the borders of Israel to encompass all nations and their rulers. Secondly, it underscores [the profound significance of the Temple](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Dedication of the Temple") as the focal point of God's presence and a symbol of His covenant with His people. The Temple is portrayed not just as a place of worship for Israel, but as a magnetic center that will draw the world's attention and reverence. Lastly, the concept of "kings bringing presents" points to a future [international recognition and homage](/isaiah/60-3 "Isaiah 60:3 - Nations Come to Zion's Light") of God's reign, a theme echoed in many prophetic texts that envision a time when all peoples will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Temple (Hebrew, _hekal'_):** This word refers specifically to the grand, permanent structure built in Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God's presence. More than just a building, it symbolized God's covenant faithfulness, His accessibility to His people, and His established reign among them. Its existence and the divine presence within it are presented as the very reason for the nations' future homage.
* **Presents (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** While "minchah" can refer to a grain offering or a simple gift, in this context, it carries the strong connotation of tribute, homage, or an offering of submission. It is not a casual exchange but an act of fealty and recognition from a lesser authority (earthly kings) to a greater one (God). This signifies an acknowledgment of God's supreme power and rightful claim to universal dominion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Because of thy temple at Jerusalem":** This phrase establishes the Temple as the catalyst or magnet for the future event. It is not merely the physical structure but the divine presence dwelling within it that draws the nations. The Temple, as the epicenter of God's worship and revelation, becomes the reason for the world's acknowledgment of His sovereignty.
* **"shall kings bring presents unto thee":** This is a powerful prophetic declaration. "Kings" represents the most powerful and influential earthly authorities, symbolizing all nations. Their act of "bringing presents" (minchah) signifies an act of worship, submission, and tribute to God, acknowledging His ultimate authority and rightful place as the supreme ruler over all creation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Primarily, it is a **Prophecy**, looking forward to a future event where God's universal sovereignty will be recognized by earthly rulers. There is an element of **Idealization** or **Hyperbole** in the depiction of "kings" universally bringing tribute, emphasizing the ultimate and complete nature of God's future reign rather than a literal, exhaustive list of every single monarch. The "Temple" functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing God's established presence, His covenant, and the center from which His glory will radiate to the nations. Similarly, "presents" are **Symbolic** of submission, homage, and worship. The entire verse is structured as a cause-and-effect statement, highlighting the Temple's role in eliciting universal recognition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:29 powerfully articulates the biblical vision of God's ultimate universal reign. It posits that the very presence of God among His people, symbolized by the Temple in Jerusalem, will serve as an irresistible draw for the nations. This is not merely a vision of Israel's political dominance, but of God's spiritual supremacy being acknowledged by all earthly powers. It speaks to a future where the world's rulers will willingly submit their authority and resources to the Lord, recognizing Him as the one true God. This theme resonates deeply with the broader prophetic narrative of the Old Testament, which consistently points to a time when God's glory will cover the earth, and all peoples will come to worship Him.

* [Psalm 72:10-11](/psalms/72-10 "Psalm 72:10-11 - Kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents")
* [Isaiah 2:2-3](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-3 - All nations shall flow unto it")
* [Zechariah 14:16](/zechariah/14-16 "Zechariah 14:16 - All nations will go up to worship the King, the Lord of hosts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:29 offers a profound wellspring of hope and a call to worship for believers today. It reminds us that despite the apparent chaos, resistance, or secularism of the present world, God's ultimate plan for universal recognition and homage will prevail. His sovereignty is not limited by earthly powers; rather, all authority will one day bow before Him. This truth should embolden our faith, inspire our prayers for global missions, and deepen our commitment to living lives that reflect His glory. Just as kings are prophesied to bring presents, we are called to offer our lives—our talents, resources, and very selves—as a living sacrifice of worship and submission to God's reign. This verse invites us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our King will ultimately be acknowledged by all creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal sovereignty of God expressed in this verse impact our understanding of current global events and political landscapes?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as believers, "bring presents" (offer homage and submission) to God in our daily lives, reflecting His ultimate authority?**
* **How does the prophetic hope of this verse encourage us in times of personal difficulty, spiritual struggle, or when we feel overwhelmed by the world's challenges?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse talking about a literal future event or a symbolic one?**

Answer: This verse carries both literal and symbolic dimensions. Historically, the Temple in Jerusalem was indeed a significant center, and powerful rulers sometimes brought gifts or tribute to the dominant powers or deities of the region. Prophetically, the verse points to an ideal future where God's reign is universally acknowledged, and all earthly authority submits to Him. While it may not imply every single king literally traveling to Jerusalem, it powerfully symbolizes the ultimate and complete recognition of God's sovereignty by all nations. This prophetic vision finds its ultimate fulfillment in the reign of Christ, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship, and in the New Jerusalem, where the kings of the earth bring their glory into the city (as seen in [Revelation 21:24-26](/revelation/21-24 "Revelation 21:24-26 - The Nations Walk in the Light of the New Jerusalem")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:29 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Temple in Jerusalem, which served as the magnetic center drawing nations to God, was ultimately a shadow pointing to Christ Himself. Jesus declared Himself to be greater than the Temple ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple is Here")), and He is the true dwelling place of God among humanity, the very embodiment of God's presence ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The prophetic vision of kings bringing presents to God's Temple is fully realized in the universal homage paid to Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). The New Testament proclaims that because of Christ's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, God has highly exalted Him, "so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Thus, the "presents" are no longer merely earthly tributes but the worship, submission, and adoration of all creation to the resurrected Christ, who is the ultimate Temple and the true King to whom all glory is due.

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

1 Kings 10:10

And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

Psalms 76:11

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Psalms 45:12

And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

Isaiah 60:6

The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.

Isaiah 60:11

Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought.

Isaiah 60:16

Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Isaiah 60:17

For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.