Psalms 68:30

Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, [till every one] submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people [that] delight in war.

Rebuke {H1605}{H8798)} the company {H2416} of spearmen {H7070}, the multitude {H5712} of the bulls {H47}, with the calves {H5695} of the people {H5971}, till every one submit {H7511}{H8693)} himself with pieces {H7518} of silver {H3701}: scatter {H967}{H8765)} thou the people {H5971} that delight {H2654}{H8799)} in war {H7128}.

Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, that herd of bulls with their calves, the peoples, who ingratiate themselves with bars of silver; let him scatter the peoples who take pleasure in fighting.

Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 68:30 (KJV)

Psalms 68:30 is a powerful prayer and prophetic declaration, calling upon God to assert His supreme authority over hostile forces and bring about their submission. It is part of a grand triumphal psalm that celebrates God's majestic march and ultimate victory over His enemies, often associated with the procession of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

Context

Psalm 68 is a song of victory, celebrating God's past deliverances and anticipating future triumphs. It recounts God's powerful acts from Sinai to Zion, portraying Him as a divine warrior leading His people to victory. This particular verse, Psalms 68:30, intensifies the plea for God to intervene against those who oppose His kingdom. It reflects a time when God's people faced constant threats from surrounding nations, and their hope rested solely on divine intervention to subdue their adversaries and establish peace.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Authority: The verse is a fervent plea for God to "rebuke" and "scatter" those who defy Him. It emphasizes God's sovereign power to humble the proud and bring down those who resist His will. This divine judgment is a testament to God's ultimate control over all earthly powers.
  • Metaphorical Depiction of Enemies: The imagery of "the company of spearmen," "the multitude of the bulls," and "the calves of the people" powerfully describes aggressive and arrogant foes. "Bulls" (Hebrew: abbirim) often symbolize powerful, stubborn, and defiant leaders or nations, while "calves" might represent their followers or younger, equally aggressive elements. This vivid language paints a picture of formidable, yet ultimately conquerable, opposition.
  • Forced Submission and Peace: The phrase "[till every one] submit himself with pieces of silver" signifies the subjugation and surrender of these enemies, often through tribute or ransom. The ultimate goal is not merely destruction but their submission, which leads to a cessation of their aggressive actions. This aligns with a broader biblical theme of God bringing nations into submission or acknowledging His sovereignty, as seen in prophetic texts like Isaiah 2:4 where nations will learn war no more.
  • Condemnation of War-Mongers: The final clause, "scatter thou the people [that] delight in war," clearly condemns those who thrive on conflict and aggression. It highlights God's justice against those whose very nature is to instigate and prolong hostilities, affirming His desire for peace and order.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rebuke" (ื’ึผึธืขึทืจ - ga'ar) carries the sense of a strong, authoritative reprimand or warning, often with the implication of bringing someone under control or silencing them. The term "bulls" (ืื‘ื™ืจื™ื - abbirim) literally means "mighty ones" or "strong ones," underscoring the formidable nature of the enemies, often associated with untamed strength and arrogance. The "pieces of silver" (ืจืฆื™ ื›ืกืฃ - rattzei kesef) can imply fragments of silver, perhaps indicating the payment of tribute or a broken, humbled state of submission.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 68:30 offers several profound applications:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: This verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control over all earthly powers, even those that seem overwhelming and hostile. We can trust that He will ultimately bring justice and peace.
  • Prayer for Peace: It serves as a model for praying against forces that delight in war and oppression, both internationally and in personal spiritual battles. We can ask God to rebuke and scatter those influences that seek to disrupt peace and righteousness.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Spiritually, the "spearmen" and "bulls" can represent spiritual strongholds and demonic forces that oppose God's kingdom. This verse encourages us to pray for God's powerful intervention to break these strongholds and bring about spiritual freedom, echoing the call to put on the full armor of God to stand against the enemy's schemes.
  • Humility and Submission: The call for enemies to "submit himself with pieces of silver" can also be a reminder of the universal call to submit to God's authority. Ultimately, all creation will bow before Him, whether willingly or by divine compulsion.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

  • Psalms 22:13

    They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.

  • Isaiah 37:1

    ยถ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 37:38

    And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Samuel 8:1

    ยถ And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 2 Samuel 8:18

    And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was over] both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

  • James 4:1

    ยถ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?