Psalms 68
Psalm 68 is known as a song of praise attributed to David. It poetically describes how God scatters His enemies and triumphs gloriously for His people. The psalmist highlights the greatness and majesty of God, as well as His faithful care—guiding and protecting Israel—proclaiming God’s salvation and reign to all nations.
1verseFor the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.
2verseAs smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3verseBut let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
4verseSing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him!
5verseA father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6verseGod sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
7verseGod, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah.
8verseThe earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9verseYou, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary.
10verseYour congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.
11verseThe Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company.
12verse“Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,
13versewhile you sleep among the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.
14verseWhen the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.
15verseThe mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.
16verseWhy do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.
17verseThe chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary.
18verseYou have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among people, yes, among the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.
19verseBlessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.
20verseGod is to us a God of deliverance. To GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
21verseBut God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.
22verseThe Lord said, “I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea,
23versethat you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”
24verseThey have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25verseThe singers went before, the minstrels followed after, among the ladies playing with tambourines,
26verse“Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!”
27verseThere is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
28verseYour God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.
29verseBecause of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to you.
30verseRebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot the bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31versePrinces shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.
32verseSing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord— Selah—
33verseto him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.
34verseAscribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies.
35verseYou are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!
Structure and Flow
- Verses 1–3: Introduction – Declares that God rises up and that the enemies are scattered. It sings that the righteous rejoice and are glad.
- Verses 4–6: Praising God – Praises God, who rides on the clouds and cares for orphans and widows.
- Verses 7–14: Recalling the history of the Exodus and the wilderness – Remembers God’s remarkable power that guided Israel.
- Verses 15–18: The glory of Mount Zion – Describes God’s presence remaining on Mount Zion and a procession of victory.
- Verses 19–23: Salvation and judgment – Confesses God as the Savior who bears burdens day by day, and sings about judgment against His enemies.
- Verses 24–27: God’s procession and worship – Shows God marching into the sanctuary and various tribes and people praising Him.
- Verses 28–35: Praise from all nations – Proclaims God’s power and authority to all peoples, and concludes with praise.
Message and Meaning
This psalm conveys, in poetic terms, that God helps His own people, judges with justice, and is exalted as King over the entire world. God’s presence and power, along with His careful care for His people, are a great source of comfort and hope even for today’s readers. Based on experiences in history, the psalmist praises God and emphasizes that all peoples must revere Him and worship Him together.
Points for Reflection
- Let’s remember that God is with us even in our suffering and helps us.
- As we recall God’s faithful guidance in the past, let’s renew our faith to trust Him today as well.
- Let’s reflect on how a life that praises God can be shown in our everyday lives.
Apply to My Life
- Let’s hope to live with joy and gratitude, believing that God is the One who triumphs and leads even in my own life.
- Even in small everyday moments, try to bring glory to God and practice caring for the weak around you.
- I hope it will become a time to look back on what God has done in my life and to sing of His greatness.
