Psalms 68
Psalms 68 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 68 summary
This is a most excellent psalm, but in many places the genuine sense is not easy to come at; for in this, as in some other scriptures, there are things dark and hard to be understood. It does not appear when, or upon what occasion, David penned this psalm; but probably it was when, God having given him rest from all his enemies round about, he brought the ark (which was both the token of God's presence and a type of Christ's mediation) from the house of Obed-edom to the tent he had pitched for it in Zion; for the first words are the prayer which Moses used at the removing of the ark, Num 10:35. From this he is led, by the Spirit of prophecy…
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This is a most excellent psalm, but in many places the genuine sense is not easy to come at; for in this, as in some other scriptures, there are things dark and hard to be understood. It does not appear when, or upon what occasion, David penned this psalm; but probably it was when, God having given him rest from all his enemies round about, he brought the ark (which was both the token of God's presence and a type of Christ's mediation) from the house of Obed-edom to the tent he had pitched for it in Zion; for the first words are the prayer which Moses used at the removing of the ark, Num 10:35. From this he is led, by the Spirit of prophecy, to speak glorious things concerning the Messiah, his ascension into heaven, and the setting up of his kingdom in the world. I. He begins with prayer, both against God's enemies (Psa 68:1, Psa 68:2) and for his people (Psa 68:3). II. He proceeds to praise, which takes up the rest of the psalm, calling upon all to praise God (Psa 68:4, Psa 68:26, Psa 68:32) and suggesting many things as matter for praise. 1. The greatness and goodness of God (Psa 68:4-6). 2. The wonderful works God had wrought for his people formerly, bringing them through the wilderness (Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8), settling them in Canaan (Psa 68:9, Psa 68:10), giving them victory over their enemies (Psa 68:11, Psa 68:12), and delivering them out of the hands of their oppressors (Psa 68:13, Psa 68:14). 3. The special presence of God in his church (Psa 68:15-17). 4. The ascension of Christ (Psa 68:18) and the salvation of his people by him (Psa 68:19, Psa 68:20). 5. The victories which Christ would obtain over his enemies, and the favours he would bestow upon his church (Psa 68:21-28). 6. The enlargement of the church by the accession of the Gentiles to it (Psa 68:29-31). And so he concludes the psalm with an awful acknowledgment of the glory and grace of God (Psa 68:32-35). With all these great things we should endeavour to be duly affected in singing this psalm. To the chief musician. A psalm or song of David.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 68 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
God Shall Scatter His Enemies
1For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him. 2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness. 4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him. 5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation. 6God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; [Selah 8The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped [rain] at the presence of God: Yon Sinai [trembled] at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor. 11The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host. 12Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil. 13When ye lie among the sheepfolds, [It is as] the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. 14When the Almighty scattered kings therein, [It was as when] it snoweth in Zalmon. 15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan. 16Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell [in it] for ever. 17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands: The Lord is among them, [as in] Sinai, in the sanctuary. 18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, [among] the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell [with them]. 19Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. [Selah 20God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death. 21But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness. 22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring [them] again from the depths of the sea; 23That thou mayest crush [them], [dipping] thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from [thine] enemies. 24They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels. 26Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, [ye that are] of the fountain of Israel. 27There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah [and] their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee. 30Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war. 31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God. 32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; [Selah 33To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice. 34Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies. 35O God, [thou art] terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto [his] people. Blessed be God.