Psalms 68:7

¶ O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

O God {H430}, when thou wentest forth {H3318}{H8800)} before {H6440} thy people {H5971}, when thou didst march {H6805}{H8800)} through the wilderness {H3452}; Selah {H5542}:

God, when you went out at the head of your people, when you marched out through the wilderness, (Selah)

O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; [Selah

Commentary on Psalms 68:7 (KJV)

Psalms 68:7, from the King James Version, is a powerful and evocative verse that immediately transports the reader back to the foundational history of ancient Israel. It sets a scene of divine leadership and presence, recalling God's mighty acts on behalf of His people.

Context

Psalm 68 is a triumphant and majestic psalm, often associated with the ark's procession into Jerusalem or a celebration of God's victories. It recounts God's historical deliverance of Israel, portraying Him as a divine Warrior and King. Verse 7 specifically harks back to the pivotal Exodus from Egypt and the subsequent wilderness journey. This period was foundational to Israel's identity, demonstrating God's unique relationship with His chosen people. The imagery of God "marching" before them emphasizes His active, personal involvement in their liberation and guidance through challenging terrain.

Key Themes

  • Divine Leadership and Presence: The verse vividly portrays God as the active leader, going "forth before thy people." This highlights His unwavering presence and initiative in guiding Israel through their most vulnerable period. It speaks to a God who is not distant but intimately involved in the lives of His followers.
  • Historical Remembrance: The psalmist calls the people to remember God's past acts of deliverance. This remembrance serves as a source of confidence and a basis for future trust, reinforcing the idea that God's character is consistent throughout history.
  • God's Power and Providence: The "march through the wilderness" was fraught with peril, yet God's leadership ensured their survival and progress. This underscores His omnipotence and His ability to provide for His people even in the most desolate circumstances.
  • Selah: The term "Selah," appearing at the end of the verse, is a musical or liturgical instruction, often understood as a call to pause and reflect deeply on the preceding words. In this context, it encourages profound contemplation on God's magnificent display of power and faithfulness during the Exodus.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "wentest forth" (יָצָא, yatsa') implies a deliberate and purposeful movement, emphasizing God's intentional leadership. Similarly, "march through" (צָעַד, tsa'ad) suggests a powerful, resolute advance, befitting a divine general leading His army. The term "Selah" (סֶלָה) is found 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. While its precise meaning is debated, it generally signifies a pause, a musical interlude, or an instruction to "lift up" (perhaps voices or instruments), inviting the reader to ponder the weight and significance of the truth just expressed.

Practical Application

Psalms 68:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God led Israel through their wilderness, He continues to lead and guide His people through the "wildernesses" of life—periods of uncertainty, difficulty, or transition. This verse reminds us that:

  • God is Actively Involved: We are not left to navigate life's challenges alone. God goes before us, providing guidance through His Holy Spirit and His Word.
  • Trust in His Faithfulness: Remembering God's past faithfulness, both in biblical history and in our personal lives, strengthens our trust for the future. If He led Israel, He will lead us.
  • Embrace Reflection: The "Selah" invites us to pause amidst life's busyness and reflect on God's character, His past interventions, and His present leading. Such reflection deepens our faith and gratitude.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's enduring commitment to His people, a source of comfort and strength for all who follow Him.

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.

  • Exodus 13:21

    And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

  • Judges 5:4

    LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

  • Judges 4:14

    And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this [is] the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

  • Psalms 114:1

    ¶ When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

  • Psalms 114:8

    Which turned the rock [into] a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

  • Micah 2:13

    The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.

  • Habakkuk 3:12

    Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.

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