Psalm 68

Psalm 68 is a triumphant song celebrating God’s deliverance and power. It reflects on God’s actions throughout Israel’s history, from His presence with them during the wilderness journey to His victory over enemies. The psalm highlights God’s care for the needy, His majesty in Zion, and His ongoing provision and salvation for His people.

Psalm 68:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Let God arise,
Let His enemies be scattered;
Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
2 As smoke is driven away,
So drive them away;
As wax melts 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;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name YAH,
And rejoice before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families;
He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
7 O God, when You went out before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 The earth shook;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain,
Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance,
When it was weary.
10 Your congregation dwelt in it;
You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

God is depicted as a mighty warrior, arising to scatter His enemies. The imagery of smoke being driven away and wax melting emphasizes the total defeat of the wicked. The righteous, on the other hand, rejoice and praise God for His victories. The psalm emphasizes God’s care for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. In verses 7-10, the psalm recalls God’s presence with Israel in the wilderness, where He provided rain and sustained His people, demonstrating His goodness and faithfulness to those in need.

Psalm 68:11-18 (NKJV)
11 The Lord gave the word;
Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
12 “Kings of armies flee, they flee,
And she who remains at home divides the spoil.
13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds,
You will be like 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 Zalmon.
15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
16 Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks?
This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in;
Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever.
17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
Even thousands of thousands;
The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.
18 You have ascended on high,
You have led captivity captive;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious,
That the Lord God might dwell there.

The psalm shifts to focus on God's victories over armies, highlighting how God’s word empowered His people to proclaim His greatness. The mention of dividing the spoil reflects the peace that follows God's victories. In verse 18, the reference to ascending on high and leading captivity captive points to God’s ultimate triumph over His enemies, which is later quoted in the New Testament to refer to Christ’s ascension (Ephesians 4:8). The image of God's presence on Mount Zion and among countless chariots illustrates His overwhelming power and glory.

Psalm 68:19-27 (NKJV)
19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation;
And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.
21 But God will wound the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, “I will bring back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 That your foot may crush them in blood,
And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”
24 They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after;
Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.
26 Bless God in the congregations,
The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin, their leader,
The princes of Judah and their company,
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

These verses celebrate God's ongoing salvation, affirming that He sustains His people daily and provides rescue from death. God’s enemies will not escape judgment, and His power is seen even in the remotest places. The description of God's procession into the sanctuary reflects a grand celebration of His presence among His people. The inclusion of different tribes shows the unity of Israel in worshiping God and recognizing His leadership over them.

Psalm 68:28-35 (NKJV)
28 Your God has commanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
Kings will bring presents to You.
30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,
The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,
Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.
Scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!
Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God;
His excellence is over Israel,
And His strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!

The final verses call for God’s strength to be displayed among His people and declare that even foreign nations will bring gifts to honor Him. The imagery of rebuking beasts and scattering warmongers reflects God's ability to subdue all opposition. The mention of Egypt and Ethiopia turning to God symbolizes the future gathering of all nations to worship Him. The psalm concludes with a call for all the earth to praise God, recognizing His supreme power and majesty over all creation.