Psalms 68

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 68

1¶ To 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.

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

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].

7¶ O 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.

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.

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

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].

19Blessed [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.

21But 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:

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.

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.

32¶ Sing 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.

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalms 68 is a triumphant psalm celebrating God's power and victory over His enemies. It recounts His mighty acts from the Exodus and Sinai to His dwelling in Zion, where He protects the vulnerable and bestows blessings. The psalm culminates in a vision of all nations acknowledging God's supreme authority and bringing Him praise.

Medium Summary

This psalm begins with a powerful invocation for God to arise, scattering His enemies and bringing joy to the righteous. It vividly recalls God's historic march through the wilderness, where the earth trembled at His presence, and His provision for His people. The psalm celebrates God's victories over kings, leading to abundant spoils and the transformation of His humble followers. It then extols Zion as God's chosen dwelling, describing His ascent with countless chariots and His reception of gifts for men, even the rebellious, so He might dwell among them. God is praised as the deliverer from death and the one who wounds His adversaries. The psalm concludes with a vision of a grand procession into the sanctuary, a prayer for God's continued strength, and an anticipation of universal worship as kings and nations submit to Him.

Long Summary

Psalms 68 opens with a fervent plea for God to manifest His power, causing His enemies to scatter like smoke and melt like wax, while the righteous rejoice exceedingly. It immediately shifts to a historical recounting of God's majestic presence during the Exodus, describing the earth shaking and heavens dropping rain as He marched through the wilderness, confirming His weary inheritance. The psalm celebrates God as a compassionate protector, a father to the fatherless, a judge of widows, and one who settles the solitary in families and frees the bound, contrasting this with the fate of the rebellious. It vividly portrays God's triumphant victories over opposing kings, leading to great spoils for His people, even those who were formerly humble. The psalm then elevates Mount Zion, asserting its divine election as God's eternal dwelling place over other high hills. It describes God's glorious ascent, accompanied by myriads of chariots (angels), leading captivity captive and receiving gifts for men, including the rebellious, so that the Lord God might dwell among them. The psalmist blesses God as the source of daily benefits and salvation, the one who holds the issues of death and will ultimately wound the heads of His persistent enemies. A grand procession into the sanctuary is depicted, featuring singers, musicians, and representatives from various tribes of Israel. The psalm concludes with a prayer for God to strengthen His work and a prophetic vision of kings bringing presents to Jerusalem's temple. It calls for the rebuke of warlike nations, anticipating their submission with pieces of silver, and foresees princes from Egypt and Ethiopia stretching out their hands to God, culminating in a universal call for all kingdoms to sing praises to the Lord, who rides upon the ancient heavens and gives strength to His people.

Core Concepts

  • Divine VictoryGod is depicted as a powerful warrior who arises to scatter His enemies, causing them to flee and perish, while bringing joy and triumph to His righteous people.
  • God's Providence and CareThe psalm portrays God as a compassionate provider for the vulnerable, specifically mentioning His role as a father to the fatherless, a judge of widows, and one who settles the solitary and frees the bound.
  • The Exodus and SinaiHistorical allusions to God's mighty acts are central, recalling His march through the wilderness, the earth shaking at Sinai, and His provision of rain for His people.
  • Zion's PreeminenceThe psalm emphasizes Mount Zion as God's chosen and eternal dwelling place, superior to other high hills, signifying His presence among His people.
  • Ascension and Gifts for MenA key concept is God's ascent on high, leading captivity captive and receiving gifts for men, even the rebellious, so that the Lord God might dwell among them.
  • Universal WorshipThe psalm culminates in a prophetic vision of all kingdoms and nations, including Egypt and Ethiopia, acknowledging God's supreme authority and bringing Him praise and submission.
  • God of Salvation and StrengthGod is repeatedly praised as the source of salvation, daily benefits, and the one who gives strength and power to His people, while also delivering from death and wounding His adversaries.