Psalm Chapter 68 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Psalms Chapter 68 (Old Testament, King James Bible)
7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
8 The 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.
9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
13 Though 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.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
Psalms Chapter 68 (Old Testament)
15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 Thou 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.
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
26 Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 Rebuke 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.
31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.
32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O 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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 68:19
Verse: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה, יוֹמָם בַּעֲזָתוֹ
Transliteration: Barukh Adonai yomam b’azato
English: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden; God is our salvation.”
Focus Word: עֵזֶר (Ezer)
- Root: ע-ז-ר (Ayin-Zayin-Resh)
- Meaning: “Help,” “aid,” “support.”
- Deeper Insight: Ezer emphasizes God’s dependable assistance, especially in human weakness or conflict.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| יָקוּם — yakum | Verse 1 — “Let God arise…” | “To arise,” stand up. | Yakum (“to arise”) portrays divine intervention (“arise”). It recalls wilderness march imagery. The word signals God’s active deliverance. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| פּוּצָה — putzah | Verse 1 — “…let His enemies be scattered…” | “To scatter,” disperse. | Putzah (“to scatter”) signifies decisive defeat (“scatter”). It reflects overwhelming divine power. The term intensifies the Psalm’s triumphal tone. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| נָדַף — nadaf | Verse 2 — “…driven away as smoke…” | “To disperse,” blow away. | Nadaf (“to drive away”) conveys removal like wind-blown smoke (“drive away”). It highlights the fragility of God’s enemies. The term enhances poetic imagery. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| צַדִּיק — tzaddiq | Verse 3 — “Let the righteous be glad…” | “Righteous,” just. | Tzaddiq (“righteous”) refers to morally upright covenant-keepers (“righteous”). It contrasts the wicked’s fate. The word anchors joy in divine justice. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עָלַז — alaz | Verse 3 — “…let them rejoice before God.” | “To exult,” triumph. | Alaz (“to exult”) expresses overflowing joy (“rejoice/exult”). It reflects delight in God’s rule. The term heightens celebratory tone. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| שָׁכֵן — shachen | Verse 5 — “…God who sets the solitary in families…” | “To dwell,” inhabit. | Shachen (“to dwell”) portrays God as present among His people (“dwell”). It reveals relational closeness. The word strengthens themes of divine care. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| יוֹנָה — yonah | Verse 13 — “Though you lie among the sheepfolds…” | “Dove,” emblem of beauty. | Yonah (“dove”) symbolizes peace and purity (“dove”). It expresses transformation of Israel’s condition. The term enriches imagery of restoration. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עֵשֶׂב — esev | Verse 21 — “…hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.” | “Grass,” hair, growth. | Esev (“hair/grass”) conveys wild, untamed imagery (“hairy”). It depicts hardened rebellion. The word enhances poetic intensity. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| נָשָׂא — nasa | Verse 28 — “Your God has commanded your strength…” | “To lift,” bear. | Nasa (“to lift/carry”) signifies divine bestowal (“give/provide strength”). It reinforces God as the giver of might. The word adds triumphal confidence. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| תְּנוּ — tenu | Verse 34 — “Ascribe strength to God…” | “Give,” attribute. | Tenu (“to give/ascribe”) calls for recognition of divine power (“ascribe”). It commands public acknowledgment. The term closes the Psalm with exalted proclamation. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 68 |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Mede (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1586–1638) | Clavis Apocalyptica | Highlights the Psalm’s imagery of God triumphing over enemies, calling the faithful to rejoice. |
| Richard Hooker (Oxford, 1554–1600) | Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity | Observes that the Psalm celebrates divine authority and the moral order God upholds. |
| William Perkins (University of Cambridge, 1558–1602) | Commentary on the Psalms | Notes that God’s deliverance of the righteous is both historical and spiritually instructive. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Emphasizes that praise for God’s victory inspires courage and obedience among the faithful. |
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Observes the Psalm’s call for communal celebration and recognition of God’s omnipotence. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin views the psalm as celebrating God’s triumphant march from Sinai to Zion. God scatters His enemies and lifts the lowly. The ascent of God signifies His enthronement. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a grand procession of divine victory. The fatherless and oppressed find refuge in God. His triumph brings blessing to His people. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes reads the psalm as a majestic hymn of God’s movement among His people. Enemies flee before Him. The ascension theme reflects divine exaltation. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison views the psalm as recording God’s ancient victories. The scattered enemies highlight His power. Joy fills the congregation. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as a sweeping display of divine majesty. God rides upon the heavens. His blessings flow continually. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar sees the psalm as the Church’s celebration of God’s triumph. The ascension points to Christ’s exaltation. God dwells among His chosen. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as portraying God’s victories across generations. His presence crushes evil. His people rejoice under His reign. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the psalm’s imagery of God scattering foes and gathering His people. The procession displays divine power. Praise arises from His sanctuary. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar views the psalm as a triumphal song of divine majesty. God leads captives to freedom. Worship follows His ascension. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church rejoicing in God the King. His victories are universal. His sanctuary is filled with praise. |
