Psalms 68:33

To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, [which were] of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, [and that] a mighty voice.

To him that rideth {H7392}{H8802)} upon the heavens {H8064} of heavens {H8064}, which were of old {H6924}; lo, he doth send out {H5414}{H8799)} his voice {H6963}, and that a mighty {H5797} voice {H6963}.

to him who rides on the most ancient heavens. Listen, as he utters his voice, a mighty voice!

to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.

To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice.

Psalms 68:33 (KJV) paints a majestic picture of God's supreme power and eternal dominion. This verse exalts the Lord as the transcendent ruler, whose voice commands all creation with irresistible force.

Context

Psalm 68 is a triumphant psalm, often associated with a procession or a great victory celebration. It recounts God's mighty acts of deliverance for Israel throughout history, from the Exodus to the establishment of His dwelling place in Zion. The psalm celebrates God as a warrior who leads His people to victory and establishes justice. Verse 33, in particular, shifts to a broader, universal proclamation of God's unparalleled sovereignty, inviting all nations to acknowledge His glorious power.

Key Themes

  • God's Supreme Sovereignty and Transcendence: The phrase "To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens" vividly portrays God's ultimate authority and majesty. It signifies His dwelling in the highest realms, far above all earthly and even celestial powers. This imagery emphasizes His incomparable power and His position as the supreme ruler over all creation, from "of old," highlighting His eternal reign.
  • The Irresistible Power of God's Voice: "lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice" underscores the active, effective power of God's word. This is not merely sound, but a divine utterance that carries inherent authority and force, capable of creating, sustaining, and judging. It evokes the creative power of God's spoken word in Genesis and the thunderous, awe-inspiring declarations at Mount Sinai. The psalmist here likely alludes to the majestic and powerful voice of the Lord described elsewhere in the Psalms, which breaks cedars and shakes the wilderness.
  • God's Eternal Dominion: The phrase "which were of old" serves to affirm God's pre-existence and unchanging nature. His reign is not a new development but has been established from eternity past, signifying His enduring power and faithfulness throughout all generations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "heavens of heavens" is shemey shemayim (שְׁמֵי שָׁמַיִם), a superlative construction indicating the highest, most exalted heavens. This emphasizes God's unparalleled dwelling place and His ultimate transcendence. The "mighty voice" translates from the Hebrew kol oz (קוֹל עֹז), conveying a voice of immense strength, power, and overwhelming force, signifying an irresistible decree or manifestation of divine presence.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound comfort and inspires awe for the believer. It reminds us that our God is not limited by earthly constraints; He is the sovereign ruler over all things, from eternity past to eternity future. His "mighty voice" speaks with absolute authority, ensuring that His purposes will prevail. This understanding encourages trust in His omnipotent control, even amidst chaos, and calls us to worship Him with reverence and adoration, knowing that His power is unmatched and His word is unfailing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 18:10

    And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

  • Psalms 104:3

    Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

  • Psalms 68:4

    Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

  • 1 Kings 8:27

    But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

  • Psalms 93:2

    Thy throne [is] established of old: thou [art] from everlasting.

  • Revelation 11:12

    And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

  • Revelation 11:15

    And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

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