1 <To the chief music-maker. Of David. A Psalm. A Song.> Let God be seen, and let his haters be put to flight; let those who are against him be turned back before him.
2 Let them be like smoke before the driving wind; as wax turning soft before the fire, so let them come to an end before the power of God.
3 But let the upright be glad; let them have delight before God; let them be full of joy.
4 Make songs to God, make songs of praise to his name; make a way for him who comes through the waste lands; his name is Jah; be glad before him.
5 A father to those who have no father, a judge of the widows, is God in his holy place.
6 Those who are without friends, God puts in families; he makes free those who are in chains; but those who are turned away from him are given a dry land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people, wandering through the waste land; (Selah.)
8 The earth was shaking and the heavens were streaming, because God was present; even Sinai itself was moved before God, the God of Israel.
9 You, O God, did freely send the rain, giving strength to the weariness of your heritage.
10 Those whose resting-place was there, even the poor, were comforted by your good things, O God.
11 The Lord gives the word; great is the number of the women who make it public.
12 Kings of armies quickly go in flight: and the women in the houses make a division of their goods.
13 Will you take your rest among the flocks? like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its feathers with yellow gold.
14 When the Most High put the kings to flight, it was as white as snow in Salmon.
15 A hill of God is the hill of Bashan; a hill with high tops is the hill of Bashan.
16 Why are you looking with envy, you high hills, on the hill desired by God as his resting-place? truly, God will make it his house for ever.
17 The war-carriage of God is among Israel's thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to the holy place.
18 You have gone up on high, taking your prisoners with you; you have taken offerings from men; the Lord God has taken his place on the seat of his power.
19 Praise be to the Lord, who is our support day by day, even the God of our salvation. (Selah.)
20 Our God is for us a God of salvation; his are the ways out of death.
21 The heads of the haters of God will be crushed; even the head of him who still goes on in his evil ways.
22 The Lord said, I will make them come back from Bashan, and from the deep parts of the sea;
23 So that your foot may be red with blood, and the tongues of your dogs with the same.
24 We see your going, O God: even the going of my God, my King, into the holy place.
25 The makers of songs go before, the players of music come after, among the young girls playing on brass instruments.
26 Give praise to God in the great meeting; even the Lord, you who come from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin ruling them, the chiefs of Judah and their army, the rulers of Zebulun and the rulers of Naphtali.
28 O God, send out your strength; the strength, O God, with which you have done great things for us,
29 Out of your Temple in Jerusalem.
30 Say sharp words to the beast among the water-plants, the band of strong ones, with the lords of the peoples, put an end to the people whose delight is in war.
31 Kings will give you offerings, they will come out of Egypt; from Pathros will come offerings of silver; Ethiopia will be stretching out her hands to God.
32 Make songs to God, you kingdoms of the earth; O make songs of praise to the Lord; (Selah.)
33 To him who goes or the clouds of heaven, the heaven which was from earliest times; he sends out his voice of power.
34 Make clear that strength is God's: he is lifted up over Israel, and his power is in the clouds.
35 O God, you are to be feared in your holy place: the God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 68
Commentary on Psalms 68 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 68
Ps 68:1-35. This is a Psalm-song (see on Ps 30:1, title), perhaps suggested by David's victories, which secured his throne and gave rest to the nation. In general terms, the judgment of God on the wicked, and the equity and goodness of His government to the pious, are celebrated. The sentiment is illustrated by examples of God's dealings, cited from the Jewish history and related in highly poetical terms. Hence the writer intimates an expectation of equal and even greater triumphs and summons all nations to unite in praises of the God of Israel. The Psalm is evidently typical of the relation which God, in the person of His Son, sustains to the Church (compare Ps 68:18).
1-3. Compare Nu 10:35; Ps 1:4; 22:14, on the figures here used.
before him—as in Ps 68:2, from His presence, as dreaded; but in Ps 68:3, in His presence, as under His protection (Ps 61:7).
3. the righteous—all truly pious, whether of Israel or not.
4. extol him … heavens—literally, "cast up for Him who rideth in the deserts," or "wilderness" (compare Ps 68:7), alluding to the poetical representation of His leading His people in the wilderness as a conqueror, before whom a way is to be prepared, or "cast up" (compare Isa 40:3; 62:10).
by his name JAH—or, "Jehovah," of which it is a contraction (Ex 15:3; Isa 12:2) (Hebrew).
name—or, "perfections" (Ps 9:10; 20:1), which—
5, 6. are illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him.
6. setteth the solitary in families—literally, "settleth the lonely" (as wanderers) "at home." Though a general truth, there is perhaps allusion to the wandering and settlement of the Israelites.
rebellious dwell in a dry land—removed from all the comforts of home.
7, 8. (Compare Ex 19:16-18).
thou wentest—in the pillar of fire.
thou didst march—literally, "in Thy tread," Thy majestic movement.
8. even Sinai itself—literally, "that Sinai," as in Jud 5:5.
9, 10. a plentiful rain—a rain of gifts, as manna and quails.
10. Thy congregation—literally, "troop," as in 2Sa 23:11, 13—the military aspect of the people being prominent, according to the figures of the context.
therein—that is, in the land of promise.
the poor—Thy humble people (Ps 68:9; compare Ps 10:17; 12:5).
11. gave the word—that is, of triumph.
company—or, choir of females, celebrating victory (Ex 15:20).
12. Kings of armies—that is, with their armies.
she that … at home—Mostly women so remained, and the ease of victory appears in that such, without danger, quietly enjoyed the spoils.
13. Some translate this, "When ye shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies in the times of the judges; or, taking the whole figuratively, the rows of stones on which cooking vessels were hung; and thus that a contrast is drawn between their former low and afflicted state and their succeeding prosperity. In either case, a state of quiet and peace is described by a beautiful figure.
14. Their enemies dispersed, the contrast of their prosperity with their former distress is represented by that of the snow with the dark and somber shades of Salmon.
15, 16. Mountains are often symbols of nations (Ps 46:2; 65:6). That of Bashan, northeast of Palestine, denotes a heathen nation, which is described as a "hill of God," or a great hill. Such are represented as envious of the hill (Zion) on which God resides;
17. and, to the assertion of God's purpose to make it His dwelling, is added evidence of His protecting care. He is described as in the midst of His heavenly armies—
thousands of angels—literally, "thousands of repetitions," or, "thousands of thousands"—that is, of chariots. The word "angels" was perhaps introduced in our version, from De 33:2, and Ga 3:19. They are, of course, implied as conductors of the chariots.
as … Sinai, in the holy place—that is, He has appeared in Zion as once in Sinai.
18. From the scene of conquest He ascends to His throne, leading—
captivity captive—or, "many captives captive" (Jud 5:12).
received gifts for men—accepting their homage, even when forced, as that of rebels.
that the Lord God might dwell—or literally, "to dwell, O Lord God" (compare Ps 68:16)—that is, to make this hill, His people or Church, His dwelling. This Psalm typifies the conquests of the Church under her divine leader, Christ. He, indeed, "who was with the Church in the wilderness" (Ac 7:38) is the Lord, described in this ideal ascension. Hence Paul (Eph 4:8) applies this language to describe His real ascension, when, having conquered sin, death, and hell, the Lord of glory triumphantly entered heaven, attended by throngs of adoring angels, to sit on the throne and wield the scepter of an eternal dominion. The phrase "received gifts for (or literally, among) men" is by Paul, "gave gifts to men." Both describe the acts of a conqueror, who receives and distributes spoils. The Psalmist uses "receiving" as evincing the success, Paul "gave" as the act, of the conqueror, who, having subdued his enemies, proceeds to reward his friends. The special application of the passage by Paul was in proof of Christ's exaltation. What the Old Testament represents of His descending and ascending corresponds with His history. He who descended is the same who has ascended. As then ascension was an element of His triumph, so is it now; and He, who, in His humiliation, must be recognized as our vicarious sacrifice and the High Priest of our profession, must also be adored as Head of His Church and author of all her spiritual benefits.
19-21. God daily and fully supplies us. The issues or escapes from death are under His control, who is the God that saves us, and destroys His and our enemies.
21. wound the head—or, "violently destroy" (Nu 24:8; Ps 110:6).
goeth on still in … trespasses—perseveringly impenitent.
22. Former examples of God's deliverance are generalized: as He has done, so He will do.
from Bashan—the farthest region; and—
depths of the sea—the severest afflictions. Out of all, God will bring them. The figures of Ps 68:23 denote the completeness of the conquest, not implying any savage cruelty (compare 2Ki 9:36; Isa 63:1-6; Jer 15:3).
24-27. The triumphal procession, after the deliverance, is depicted.
They have seen—impersonally, "There have been seen."
the goings of my God—as leading the procession; the ark, the symbol of His presence, being in front. The various bands of music (Ps 68:25) follow, and all who are—
26. from—or literally, "of"
the fountain of Israel—that is, lineal descendants of Jacob, are invited to unite in the doxology. Then by one of the nearest tribes, one of the most eminent, and two of the most remote, are represented the whole nation of Israel, passing forward (Nu 7:1-89).
28, 29. Thanks for the past, and confident prayer for the future victories of Zion are mingled in a song of praise.
29. thy temple—literally, "over"
Jerusalem—His palace or residence (Ps 5:7) symbolized His protecting presence among His people, and hence is the object of homage on the part of others.
30. The strongest nations are represented by the strongest beasts (compare Margin).
31. Princes—or, literally, "fat ones," the most eminent from the most wealthy, and the most distant nation, represent the universal subjection.
stretch out her hands—or, "make to run her hands," denoting haste.
32-36. To Him who is presented as riding in triumph through His ancient heavens and proclaiming His presence—to Him who, in nature, and still more in the wonders of His spiritual government, out of His holy place (Ps 43:3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church, rules the world in righteousness—let all nations and kingdoms give honor and power and dominion evermore.