Psalms 68:31

KJV

Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Princes {H2831} shall come out {H857}{H8799)} of Egypt {H4714}; Ethiopia {H3568} shall soon stretch out {H7323}{H8686)} her hands {H3027} unto God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let envoys come from Egypt, Let Ethiopia stretch out its hands to God.

Berean Standard Bible

Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.

American Standard Version

Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:31 presents a profound prophetic vision of God's universal dominion, foretelling a future where powerful and distant nations, specifically Egypt and Ethiopia, willingly turn to Him in worship and submission. This verse dramatically expands the scope of God's redemptive plan beyond Israel, illustrating His sovereign power to draw all peoples to Himself, demonstrating an inclusive heart that transcends geographical and political boundaries. It anticipates a day when the glory of God will be recognized and celebrated by the entire earth, culminating in a global chorus of praise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a majestic psalm of triumph, celebrating Yahweh's unparalleled power as the divine Warrior-King who leads His people, Israel, in victory. It recounts God's historical acts, from His march through the wilderness, reminiscent of the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai, to His establishment of His dwelling place on Mount Zion. The psalm opens with an ancient battle cry (verse 1) and progresses through vivid descriptions of God's care for the needy, His just judgment on His foes, and the glorious procession of His ark into the sanctuary. Amidst these declarations of Israel's God as the mighty deliverer and sustainer, verse 31 dramatically broadens the scope, shifting from Israel's specific triumphs and the local worship on Zion to a future where distant and powerful nations, once potentially adversaries or outside God's immediate covenant, willingly acknowledge and seek Him. This universal outlook underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, culminating in a call for all kingdoms of the earth to sing praises to the Lord (verse 32).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Egypt and Ethiopia (Kush) were significant and often formidable powers in the ancient Near East. Egypt, a perennial rival and oppressor of Israel, represented a powerful, pagan empire. Ethiopia, located to the south of Egypt, was also a prominent kingdom, known for its wealth and influence, and was considered a distant land. The mention of these two nations is highly symbolic; they represent the farthest reaches of the known world from Israel's perspective, embodying the Gentile nations at large, particularly those that might have been considered hostile or entirely outside the covenant promises. For "princes" (rulers, nobles) from Egypt to come, and for Ethiopia to "stretch out her hands," signifies not merely the conversion of individuals but the turning of entire nations, including their leadership, to God. This vision challenges the ethnocentric tendencies of the ancient world and points to a future where God's reign encompasses all peoples, transcending historical enmities and cultural barriers.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 68:31 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. The most striking theme is **Global Worship and Inclusivity**, highlighting God's desire for a relationship with all humanity and the expansion of His kingdom to include all nations. It foretells a time when people from diverse backgrounds, even those historically distinct from Israel, will come to worship the one true God, echoing prophecies found in [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - Nations Flowing to Zion") and [Zechariah 8:20-23](/zechariah/8-20-23 "Zechariah 8:20-23 - Many Peoples Seek the Lord"). This verse also speaks to **Divine Sovereignty**; God's power is so absolute that it compels even proud "princes" and distant lands to acknowledge Him. His reign is not limited by geography or political power; He is King over all the earth, as declared in [Psalm 47:7-8](/psalms/47-7-8 "Psalm 47:7-8 - God is King Over All the Earth"). Finally, the verse implies a profound **Transformation**, where nations that once might have been pagan or hostile now "stretch out their hands" in reverence and supplication, signifying a spiritual turning and a recognition of God's ultimate authority. This transformation is a hallmark of God's redemptive work, bringing former adversaries into His fold.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Princes (Hebrew, _chashman'_ H2831):** From an unused root, this term describes those who are "wealthy" or "capacious in resources," thus referring to high officials, rulers, or nobles. Its use here emphasizes that not just common people, but even the powerful and influential leaders of a significant nation like Egypt, will come to acknowledge God. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the submission and the extent of God's sovereignty over earthly powers.
* **Ethiopia (Hebrew, _Kûwsh'_ H3568):** This refers to the ancient kingdom of Cush, located south of Egypt, encompassing parts of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. As a distant and powerful nation, Cush represents the "ends of the earth" from an Israelite perspective. Its inclusion alongside Egypt underscores the global scope of the prophecy, indicating that God's reach and redemptive plan extend to all corners of the world, embracing even those considered far removed.
* **Hands (Hebrew, _yâd'_ H3027):** This primitive word refers to "a hand (the open one)," indicating power, means, or direction. In this context, "stretching out her hands" is a powerful idiom signifying an act of supplication, prayer, surrender, or worship. The emphasis on the "open hand" suggests a voluntary, unreserved offering of oneself or one's resources to God, reflecting humility, dependence, and adoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Princes shall come out of Egypt":** This clause prophesies that even the powerful rulers and elite of Egypt, a nation historically antagonistic to Israel and a symbol of worldly power and idolatry, will voluntarily come forth. "Coming out" implies a journey of pilgrimage or a movement towards God's presence, signifying a recognition of His supremacy and a desire to participate in His worship. It speaks to the breaking down of national and religious barriers, indicating a comprehensive turning of even the most formidable earthly powers to God.
* **"Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God":** This second clause parallels the first, extending the prophetic vision to another prominent and distant Gentile nation, Ethiopia (Cush). The phrase "shall soon" (from the root _rûwts_, meaning "to run" or "hasten") suggests an eager, swift, and voluntary movement towards God. "Stretching out her hands" is a posture of prayer, surrender, and worship, indicating a profound spiritual turning and a desire for communion with the Divine. This signifies a willing and heartfelt submission to the one true God, demonstrating a spiritual hunger for His presence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 68:31 is rich in literary devices that enhance its prophetic message. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as the verse clearly foretells a future event of global conversion and worship. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "Egypt" and "Ethiopia" to represent not just the geographical locations but the peoples and their ruling authorities, signifying a comprehensive turning of these nations. There is also a strong element of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line ("Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God") expands upon and completes the thought of the first line ("Princes shall come out of Egypt"), both contributing to the overarching theme of Gentile inclusion and worship. The phrase "stretch out her hands" is an example of **Synecdoche**, where a part (hands) represents the whole (the entire person or nation's act of devotion and supplication). This vivid imagery paints a picture of eager, heartfelt worship from all corners of the earth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 68:31 stands as a powerful testament to God's universal redemptive plan, foreshadowing the inclusion of the Gentiles into God's covenant family. It dismantles any notion of a God exclusively for Israel, revealing a divine heart that longs for the worship of all peoples. This prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament era, where the Gospel breaks through ethnic and cultural barriers, inviting all nations to participate in God's kingdom. The vision of "princes" and "Ethiopia" turning to God underscores the comprehensive nature of this turning—not just individuals but entire societies and their leadership. It affirms that God's glory is meant to be acknowledged by every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, culminating in a grand, global chorus of praise.

* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - A Light to the Gentiles")
* [Zechariah 8:20-23](/zechariah/8-20-23 "Zechariah 8:20-23 - Many Peoples Seek the Lord")
* [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Multitude from Every Nation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:31 offers immense hope and encouragement for believers today, serving as a powerful reminder of God's global heart and His ultimate plan for all peoples to know Him. This verse fuels the call to missions and evangelism, affirming that no nation or people group, regardless of its history or current spiritual state, is beyond the reach of God's transforming grace. It encourages us to pray fervently for the salvation of nations, for leaders to turn to Christ, and to actively participate in the spread of the Gospel, knowing that one day, as prophesied, every nation will join in universal worship of the true God. It challenges any narrow view of God's kingdom and affirms His inclusive love for all humanity, urging us to embrace a global perspective in our faith and outreach, recognizing that God's redemptive work is expansive and all-encompassing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the prophecy of "princes" and "Ethiopia" turning to God challenge any ethnocentric or exclusive views of God's kingdom that we might hold?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, actively participate in the fulfillment of this global vision of worship and submission to God?**
* **What specific prayers can we offer for the leaders and peoples of nations currently resistant to the Gospel, drawing inspiration from this verse?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse suggest that specific nations like Egypt and Ethiopia will literally convert to Christianity?**

Answer: While the verse specifically names Egypt and Ethiopia, these nations often function as symbolic representations of the broader Gentile world, particularly those considered distant or even antagonistic to Israel. The prophecy signifies that people from *all* nations, including those historically distinct or opposed to God's people, will willingly turn to Him in worship. It points to a universal ingathering of believers from every corner of the earth, rather than a literal, exclusive conversion of the modern-day nations of Egypt and Ethiopia, though certainly individuals from these nations are part of God's global plan. The New Testament confirms this broader inclusion of all peoples into the family of God through Christ, as seen in passages like [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:31 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who broke down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile (cf. [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")). The coming of "princes out of Egypt" and "Ethiopia stretching out her hands unto God" is realized in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of *all nations* (cf. [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to witness this universal turning, notably with the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in [Acts 8:26-40](/acts/8-26-40 "Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch"), a direct echo of this very psalm. This event, where a high official from a distant land eagerly embraced the Gospel, served as a powerful sign that God's redemptive plan was indeed for all peoples, fulfilling the ancient prophecy. Jesus is the ultimate King to whom all nations will ultimately bow, and it is through His atoning work that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation are reconciled to God, forming one new humanity in Him (cf. [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed from Every Tribe")).

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

Isaiah 45:14

Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, [saying], Surely God [is] in thee; and [there is] none else, [there is] no God.

Zephaniah 3:10

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, [even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

Isaiah 19:18

¶ In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

Isaiah 19:25

Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [be] Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Psalms 44:20

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

Psalms 72:8

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.