Psalms68
English Standard Version
1To the . A of . A . shall , his shall be ; and those who him shall him!
2As is , so you shall drive them ; as , so the shall !
3But the shall be ; they shall ; they shall be with !
4 to , to his ; a song to him who through the ; his is the Lord; him!
5 of the and of is in his .
6 the in a ; he leads the to , but the in a .
7O , when you your , when you through the ,
8the , poured down , , the of , before , the of .
9 in , O , you ; you your as it ;
10your found a in it; in your , O , you for the .
11The the ; the women who announce the are a :
12The of the —they , they ! The the —
13 you men the — the of a with , its with .
14When the there, let fall on .
15O of , of ; O , of !
16 do you look with , O , at the that for his , , where the Lord will ?
17The of are , upon ; the is among them; is now in the .
18You on , leading a host of in your and , among the , that the Lord may there.
19 be the , who bears us ; is our .
20Our is a of , and to God, the , belong from .
21But will the of his , the of him who in his .
22The , I will bring them , I will bring them the of the ,
23 you may your in their , that the of your may have their the .
24Your is , O , the of my , my , into the —
25the in , the , them :
26 in the , the Lord, O you who are of !
27 is , the of them, in the , the of in their , the of , the of .
28 your , O , the , O , by you have for us.
29Because of your shall to you.
30 the that dwell among the , the of with the of the . those who after ; the who in .
31 shall ; shall to stretch out her to .
32O of the , to ; to the ,
33to him who in the , the ; , he his , his .
34 to , whose is , and whose is in the .
35 is his ; the of —he is the one who and to his . be !
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 68.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A prayer—The greatness and goodness of God. (1–6). The wonderful works God wrought for his people. (7–14). The presence of God in his church. (15–21). The victories of Christ. (22–28). Enlargement of the church. (29–31). The glory and grace of God. (32–35).
vv1-6
None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.
vv7-14
Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. If God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go before them in it, and to bring them out of it. He provided for them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna seems here meant. And it looks to the spiritual provision for God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain, with which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is found. Christ shall come as showers that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be applied to the victories over death and hell, by the exalted Redeemer, for those that are his. Israel in Egypt among the kilns appeared wretched, but possessed of Canaan, during the reigns of David and Solomon, appeared glorious. Thus the slaves of Satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and sanctified by him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all remains of their sinful state disappear, they shall be as the wings of the dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as gold. Full salvation will render those white as snow, who were vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.
vv15-21
The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto it is applied, Eph 4:8. He received as the purchase of his death, the gifts needful for the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of believers. These he continually bestows, even on rebellious men, that the Lord God might dwell among them, as their Friend and Father. He gave gifts to men. Having received power to give eternal life, the Lord Jesus bestows it on as many as were given him, Joh 17:2. Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the serpent.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
קוּם: to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֹיֵב: hating; an adversary
פּוּץ: to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
שָׂנֵא: to hate (personally)
נוּס: to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Cross References
Psalms 68David begins the Psalm by quoting Moses' prayer when the Ark of the Covenant set forward.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul explicitly quotes verse 18 to describe Christ's triumphant ascension and distribution of gifts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Deborah's song shares the exact poetic structure and description of God marching through the wilderness.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Describes the historical shaking of Sinai at the presence of the Lord during the giving of Law.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The command to 'extol him' translates to casting up/preparing a highway for God in the desert.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The company of women publishing victory echoes Miriam and the women with timbrels after the Red Sea.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Associates the Lord's holy presence among thousands of angels with His arrival at Mount Sinai.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Corresponds to Christ wounding/striking through the head (or hairy scalp) of his enemies.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Uses the same vivid poetic figure of wax melting to show the collapse of strength before God.
Supported by JFB
Confirms Zion as the specific hill God has chosen and desired to dwell in forever.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Records the actual historical event of David bringing the Ark (God's goings) to the sanctuary.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects blessing the Lord 'from the fountain of Israel' with Moses' blessing on Israel's fountain.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels God riding upon the heavens in His excellency and sending forth His mighty voice.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic description of God marching from Teman and Paran, mirroring His march through the wilderness.
Supported by JFB
The historical account of God going 'before thy people' in the pillar of cloud and fire.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Relates the submission and bringing of silver/presents to the kings submitting to God's anointed Son.
Supported by Matthew Poole