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Psalm 68

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.

1To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. 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.

Commentary · verses 1-2

Smoke symbolized evil and disconnection. Smoke molecules are roughly the same size and have the same charge. Like charges repel like charges. Every molecule of smoke literally repels every other molecule of smoke, which results in disconnection and unprofitability.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Commentary · verse 3

David wanted God's enemies to be scattered and driven away and he wanted God's righteous to rejoice with gladness. The word "exult" meant "to rejoice."

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.

4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice 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 those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Commentary · verses 4-8

God was the God of all people and all the earth. "Yon Sinai" was Mount Sinai, where Moses met God and received the Ten Commandments.

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.

9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

Commentary · verses 9-15

"Bashan" was a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility. "Bashan" meant "fruitful." It was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh.

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.

16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Commentary · verses 16-18

Verse 18 was quoted by Paul in Ephesians 4:8 – "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men."

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Commentary · verse 19

Not only was Jehovah the God of our Salvation, He bore our burdens daily.

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.

20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

Commentary · verses 20-26

Those of the "fountain of Israel" were told to bless God. The word "fountain" also meant "spring; source of life."

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.

27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and 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 shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

Commentary · verses 27-33

God has a "mighty voice." His Voice was powerful. His Voice created.

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.

34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Commentary · verses 34-35

The circumstances in David's life covered by Psalms 68 and 69 were not known. However, after the Six Day War until 1969, terrorist activities claimed almost 2,000 victims. The next psalm has been compared to Jeremiah's pathos...

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