Psalms 68 Study Notes: God's Victorious March to His Sanctuary
God rises to scatter His enemies and is praised as protector of orphans, widows, and the lonely. The psalm recalls His march through the desert and Sinai, His chosen mountain, His triumphant ascent cited by Paul, and a festal procession, and closes with the kingdoms bringing Him gifts and praise.
General
Paul quotes 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8. To what does he apply the verse?
Answer: Christ's ascension and the gifts He gives His church
In the psalm, God is pictured as a victorious King who has gone up on high, leading captives away and receiving gifts from people, rebels among them, so that God might make His home there (68:18). Paul quotes this verse in Ephesians 4:8, in the form he gives it, speaking of gifts given to people, and he applies it to Jesus. The One who came down is the same One who has gone up higher than all the heavens (Ephesians 4:10), and from there He gives His church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to prepare His people for service and build up His body (Ephesians 4:11-12). Peter likewise says that the risen and exalted Jesus received the Holy Spirit from the Father and poured Him out on His people (Acts 2:33).
- Psalm 68:18 (BSB)“You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.”God is pictured as a victorious King going up on high, leading captives away and receiving gifts.
- Ephesians 4:8 (BSB)“This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.””Paul quotes this verse and applies it to Christ.
- Ephesians 4:10-12 (BSB)“He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,”Paul explains that the One who ascended is Christ, who gives leaders to equip His church.
- Acts 2:33 (BSB)“Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”Peter says Jesus, lifted to God's right hand, received the Spirit the Father promised and poured Him out.
Theological
How does Paul apply 68:18 in Ephesians 4:8?
Answer: Christ's ascension and the gifts He gives His church
The psalm depicts God as the triumphant divine warrior who has gone up on high, leading captives away and receiving gifts even from rebels, so that He may take up His dwelling (68:18). Paul cites the verse in Ephesians 4:8 in the form he gives, of gifts bestowed on men, and applies it to the ascended Christ: the One who descended has gone up far above every heaven to fill the whole creation (Ephesians 4:10), and as victorious King He gives ministers who prepare the saints for the building up of His body (Ephesians 4:11-12). Peter likewise links Christ's exaltation to the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:33).
- Psalm 68:18 (BSB)“You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.”God is pictured as a victorious King going up on high, leading captives away and receiving gifts.
- Ephesians 4:8 (BSB)“This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.””Paul quotes this verse and applies it to Christ.
- Ephesians 4:10-12 (BSB)“He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,”Paul explains that the One who ascended is Christ, who gives leaders to equip His church.
- Acts 2:33 (BSB)“Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”Peter says Jesus, lifted to God's right hand, received the Spirit the Father promised and poured Him out.
General
True or False: 68:17 compares the Lord's presence in His sanctuary with His presence on Sinai, attended by chariots beyond counting.
Answer: True
This is true. The psalm says God's chariots number in the many thousands, beyond counting, and that the Lord's presence in His sanctuary is like His presence at Sinai (68:17). The holy God who came down on the mountain now dwells among His people in His chosen place, attended by His countless chariots. Moses described the LORD coming from Sinai accompanied by countless holy ones (Deuteronomy 33:2), and Elisha's servant once had his eyes opened to see hills full of God's chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17).
- Psalm 68:17 (BSB)“The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.”God's countless chariots attend Him, and His presence in the sanctuary is compared with His presence at Sinai.
- Deuteronomy 33:2 (BSB)“He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.”Moses recalls the LORD coming from Sinai accompanied by countless holy ones.
- 2 Kings 6:17 (BSB)“Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”Elisha's servant had his eyes opened to see the hills around them filled with fiery horses and chariots.
Theological
True or False: 68:17 portrays the Lord, attended by innumerable chariots, present in His sanctuary just as at the giving of the law.
Answer: True
This is true. The Lord's chariots are myriads upon myriads, and His presence in the sanctuary is likened to the Sinai theophany (68:17). The glory revealed at Sinai now abides where God has chosen to dwell, attended by His heavenly armies (Deuteronomy 33:2; 2 Kings 6:17).
- Psalm 68:17 (BSB)“The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.”God's countless chariots attend Him, and His presence in the sanctuary is compared with His presence at Sinai.
- Deuteronomy 33:2 (BSB)“He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.”Moses recalls the LORD coming from Sinai accompanied by countless holy ones.
- 2 Kings 6:17 (BSB)“Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”Elisha's servant had his eyes opened to see the hills around them filled with fiery horses and chariots.
General
According to 68:5-6, whom does God especially care for?
Answer: The fatherless, widows, the lonely, and captives
The mighty God who rides the clouds is also a father to children without fathers and one who defends widows (68:5). He gives the lonely a family and leads prisoners out into good things, while the rebellious are left in a dry, sunbaked land (68:6). His greatness is shown in His care for the weakest. The law describes God the same way (Deuteronomy 10:18), as does Psalm 146:9, and James says that caring for widows and orphans in their trouble is part of pure religion before God the Father (James 1:27).
- Psalm 68:5-6 (BSB)“A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation. God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.”God in His holy dwelling cares for the vulnerable, while rebels end up in a parched land.
- Deuteronomy 10:18 (BSB)“He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.”The law describes God as the One who upholds justice for orphans and widows.
- Psalm 146:9 (BSB)“The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.”The LORD upholds orphans and widows and thwarts the plans of the wicked.
- James 1:27 (BSB)“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”James says pure religion before God the Father includes caring for widows and orphans in their trouble.
Theological
Which classes of people are named in 68:5-6 as objects of God's special care?
Answer: The fatherless, widows, the lonely, and captives
God, from His holy dwelling, is the protector of orphans and widows (68:5), the One who settles the solitary in a household and leads captives out to prosperity, while the rebellious are left in a parched land (68:6). His majesty is displayed in His condescending care for the helpless, a consistent covenant theme (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 146:9) that James makes a mark of genuine piety (James 1:27).
- Psalm 68:5-6 (BSB)“A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation. God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.”God in His holy dwelling cares for the vulnerable, while rebels end up in a parched land.
- Deuteronomy 10:18 (BSB)“He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.”The law describes God as the One who upholds justice for orphans and widows.
- Psalm 146:9 (BSB)“The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.”The LORD upholds orphans and widows and thwarts the plans of the wicked.
- James 1:27 (BSB)“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”James says pure religion before God the Father includes caring for widows and orphans in their trouble.
General
Psalm 68 opens (68:1) with words very like those Moses spoke each time the ark moved out (Numbers 10:35). What does the verse say happens when God rises up?
Answer: His enemies are driven apart and run away from Him
Psalm 68 begins with God rising up, His foes scattering and all who hate Him running from His presence (68:1). These are nearly the words Moses used every time the covenant ark set out on Israel's journey through the wilderness (Numbers 10:35). The ark was the sacred chest that stood for God's presence among His people, and it went ahead of them to find them a resting place (Numbers 10:33-34). By opening this way, the psalm presents God as the same Lord who led Israel from the start, going before His people and defeating their enemies.
- Psalm 68:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence.”The psalm's opening pictures God rising up and His enemies scattering before Him.
- Numbers 10:35 (BSB)“Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.””Moses spoke nearly the same words each time the ark set out ahead of Israel.
- Numbers 10:33-34 (BSB)“So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.”The ark went ahead of Israel through the wilderness, with the LORD's cloud over them.
Theological
68:1 adapts the formula Moses spoke each time the ark moved out (Numbers 10:35). What does it declare follows when God arises?
Answer: His enemies are driven apart and run away from Him
The opening line (68:1) takes up the battle cry Moses spoke whenever the ark departed (Numbers 10:35). The ark, the throne-symbol of the LORD's presence, led Israel's march through the wilderness (Numbers 10:33-34). The psalm thus frames all that follows, from the wilderness march to the procession into the sanctuary, as the triumphant progress of the divine warrior-King at the head of His people.
- Psalm 68:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence.”The psalm's opening pictures God rising up and His enemies scattering before Him.
- Numbers 10:35 (BSB)“Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.””Moses spoke nearly the same words each time the ark set out ahead of Israel.
- Numbers 10:33-34 (BSB)“So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.”The ark went ahead of Israel through the wilderness, with the LORD's cloud over them.
General
How do 68:19-20 describe the Lord?
Answer: He carries His people's load daily and rescues from death
In the middle of this mighty psalm comes a note of personal care. The Lord is blessed as the One who carries His people's load every single day, the God who saves them (68:19). He is a God who delivers, and the Lord GOD rescues His people from death (68:20). The God who scatters kings also bears His people's everyday weight. He promises to carry His people all their lives (Isaiah 46:4), believers can throw all their worries on Him, knowing His care for them (1 Peter 5:7), and through His death Christ has set free those who lived in fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15).
- Psalm 68:19-20 (BSB)“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death.”God is blessed as the One who carries His people's load each day and rescues them from death.
- Isaiah 46:4 (BSB)“Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”God promises to bear His people up into old age, as their Maker who will uphold and rescue them.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (BSB)“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”Believers may hand every worry over to God, knowing that He cares for them.
- Hebrews 2:14-15 (BSB)“Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”Christ, by His death, frees those who were enslaved by the fear of death.
Theological
What attributes of God are celebrated in 68:19-20?
Answer: He carries His people's load daily and rescues from death
The doxology of 68:19 blesses the Lord who bears day by day His people's burden as the God of their salvation, and 68:20 adds that He is a delivering God, the Lord GOD who rescues His people from death. The warrior-King is also the daily burden-bearer of His people. Scripture echoes both His sustaining care (Isaiah 46:4; 1 Peter 5:7) and His final deliverance from death, secured in Christ's victory over the one who held its power (Hebrews 2:14-15).
- Psalm 68:19-20 (BSB)“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death.”God is blessed as the One who carries His people's load each day and rescues them from death.
- Isaiah 46:4 (BSB)“Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”God promises to bear His people up into old age, as their Maker who will uphold and rescue them.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (BSB)“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”Believers may hand every worry over to God, knowing that He cares for them.
- Hebrews 2:14-15 (BSB)“Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”Christ, by His death, frees those who were enslaved by the fear of death.
General
True or False: Psalm 68 ends by calling only Israel, and not the other kingdoms, to praise God.
Answer: False
This is false. The final verses summon the kingdoms of the world to sing to God and praise the Lord (68:32), the One who rides through the ancient heavens and whose mighty voice thunders (68:33). All are to credit might to God, the One whose majesty rests over Israel (68:34). The psalm ends by declaring Him awesome in His sanctuary, the God who gives strength and might to His people, and it closes by blessing Him (68:35). His voice is powerful (Psalm 29:4), and He strengthens His people (Psalm 29:11) and the weak (Isaiah 40:29).
- Psalm 68:32-35 (BSB)“Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord—Selah to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds. Ascribe the power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies. O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!”The psalm ends by calling every kingdom to sing to God, whose voice and strength are awesome and who strengthens His people.
- Psalm 29:4 (BSB)“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.”The LORD's voice is described as mighty and full of majesty.
- Psalm 29:11 (BSB)“The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.”The LORD strengthens His people and grants them peace.
- Isaiah 40:29 (BSB)“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.”God supplies power to the weary and adds strength to the feeble.
Theological
True or False: The closing summons of Psalm 68 is addressed to Israel alone rather than to the kingdoms of the world.
Answer: False
This is false. The doxology addresses the kingdoms of the world (68:32), exalting the One who rides the ancient heavens and thunders with His mighty voice (68:33), and it calls for power to be ascribed to Him whose majesty rests on Israel (68:34). It concludes with God awesome in His sanctuary, imparting strength to His people (68:35). His mighty voice and His gift of strength to His people are celebrated also in Psalm 29:4, 11, and Isaiah adds that He strengthens the weak (Isaiah 40:29).
- Psalm 68:32-35 (BSB)“Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord—Selah to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds. Ascribe the power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies. O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!”The psalm ends by calling every kingdom to sing to God, whose voice and strength are awesome and who strengthens His people.
- Psalm 29:4 (BSB)“The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.”The LORD's voice is described as mighty and full of majesty.
- Psalm 29:11 (BSB)“The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.”The LORD strengthens His people and grants them peace.
- Isaiah 40:29 (BSB)“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.”God supplies power to the weary and adds strength to the feeble.
General
What past event do 68:7-8 recall?
Answer: God leading Israel in the desert to Sinai
The psalm looks back to the time God went out ahead of His people and marched through the desert (68:7). The earth trembled and the sky released rain before the God of Sinai, Israel's God (68:8). Sinai was the mountain where God met Israel and gave His law. Exodus records that the LORD led Israel by a column of cloud and of fire (Exodus 13:21) and that the entire mountain shook when He came down on Sinai (Exodus 19:18). Deborah's song praises God's marching out with very similar words, including the shaking earth and the pouring rain (Judges 5:4-5).
- Psalm 68:7-8 (BSB)“O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.”The psalm recalls God leading His people through the desert and the earth shaking before Him at Sinai.
- Exodus 13:21 (BSB)“And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.”The LORD led Israel by a column of cloud in the daytime and of fire at night.
- Exodus 19:18 (BSB)“Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.”When the LORD came down on Sinai in fire, the entire mountain quaked.
- Judges 5:4-5 (BSB)“O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.”Deborah's song praises God's marching out in very similar language.
Theological
Which episode of Israel's history is recalled in 68:7-8?
Answer: God leading Israel in the desert to Sinai
The psalm rehearses the wilderness march, with God going out before His people (68:7), and the Sinai theophany, when the earth quaked and the heavens rained before the God of Sinai (68:8). Exodus records the divine leading in cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21) and the quaking of the mountain at the LORD's descent (Exodus 19:18). The Song of Deborah celebrates the LORD's march in nearly identical terms (Judges 5:4-5).
- Psalm 68:7-8 (BSB)“O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.”The psalm recalls God leading His people through the desert and the earth shaking before Him at Sinai.
- Exodus 13:21 (BSB)“And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night.”The LORD led Israel by a column of cloud in the daytime and of fire at night.
- Exodus 19:18 (BSB)“Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.”When the LORD came down on Sinai in fire, the entire mountain quaked.
- Judges 5:4-5 (BSB)“O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.”Deborah's song praises God's marching out in very similar language.
General
According to 68:29-31, what will foreign nations, including Egypt and Cush, do?
Answer: Bring gifts and reach out to God in submission
The psalmist asks God to show His strength, as He has done before on His people's behalf (68:28). Kings will bring Him gifts on account of His temple in Jerusalem (68:29). The psalmist also asks God to rebuke hostile powers, pictured as a wild beast among the reeds and a herd of bulls, until they submit and bring silver, and to scatter the nations that love war (68:30). Envoys will come from Egypt, and Cush, a land south of Egypt, will stretch out its hands to God (68:31), a gesture of prayer and surrender. Other passages share this hope of distant peoples bringing gifts, to Israel's king in Psalm 72:10-11 and to the LORD at Mount Zion in Isaiah 18:7, and John's vision shows people from every nation before God's throne (Revelation 7:9).
- Psalm 68:29-31 (BSB)“Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts. Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.”Kings bring gifts because of God's temple, hostile powers are to be humbled, and Egypt and Cush turn to God.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.”Another psalm pictures distant kings bringing tribute to Israel's king and all nations serving him.
- Isaiah 18:7 (BSB)“At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD of Hosts—from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people widely feared, from a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers—to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD of Hosts.”In his oracle concerning Cush, Isaiah foresees a feared nation of strange speech bringing gifts to the LORD at Mount Zion.
- Revelation 7:9 (BSB)“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”John sees a countless multitude from every nation standing before God's throne and the Lamb.
Theological
What response of the nations is anticipated in 68:29-31?
Answer: Bring gifts and reach out to God in submission
Following the plea for God to summon His power (68:28), the psalm foresees kings bringing tribute because of His temple at Jerusalem (68:29), prays that hostile powers, figured as the beast of the reeds and the bulls, be rebuked until they submit (68:30), and foresees Egypt and Cush extending their hands to God (68:31). The homage of distant peoples, offered to Israel's king in Psalm 72:10-11 and to the LORD at Zion in Isaiah 18:7, is a recurring hope, and the New Testament vision of worshipers from every nation shows its scope (Revelation 7:9).
- Psalm 68:29-31 (BSB)“Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts. Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God.”Kings bring gifts because of God's temple, hostile powers are to be humbled, and Egypt and Cush turn to God.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.”Another psalm pictures distant kings bringing tribute to Israel's king and all nations serving him.
- Isaiah 18:7 (BSB)“At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD of Hosts—from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people widely feared, from a powerful nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers—to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD of Hosts.”In his oracle concerning Cush, Isaiah foresees a feared nation of strange speech bringing gifts to the LORD at Mount Zion.
- Revelation 7:9 (BSB)“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”John sees a countless multitude from every nation standing before God's throne and the Lamb.
General
According to 68:21, on whom does God's crushing judgment fall?
Answer: His enemies who keep walking in their guilt
The psalm says God will strike down His enemies, those who keep going in their guilty ways (68:21). The reason given is their stubborn, continuing wickedness, not a single failure. Then the Lord Himself speaks of bringing people back from Bashan and from the ocean's depths (68:22). Read with the verses around it, this most naturally means that no enemy can hide from Him, though some have understood it as God bringing His own scattered people home; either way the outcome is His people's complete victory over their foes (68:23). Amos likewise says no one can escape God's judgment, not even on the seabed (Amos 9:2-3). The judgment is God's to carry out (Romans 12:19), and heaven praises Him because His judging is true and right (Revelation 19:1-2).
- Psalm 68:21-23 (BSB)“Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways. The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan, I will bring them up from the depths of the sea, that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.””God's judgment falls on enemies who keep on in their guilt, and the Lord speaks of bringing them back from Bashan and the sea.
- Amos 9:2-3 (BSB)“Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.”Amos likewise says no one can hide from God's judgment, not even at the bottom of the sea.
- Romans 12:19 (BSB)“Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.””Vengeance belongs to God, so His people leave judgment in His hands.
- Revelation 19:1-2 (BSB)“After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.””A great heavenly multitude praises God because His judgments are right and true.
Theological
Whom does 68:21 identify as the objects of God's crushing judgment?
Answer: His enemies who keep walking in their guilt
The judgment of 68:21 falls on those who continue in their guilty ways; the stated ground is persistent, impenitent wickedness. The oracle of 68:22 then speaks of fetching people back from Bashan and from the ocean's depths. In context it most naturally declares that no refuge can shelter God's enemies, though some have read it as the regathering of His own people; either way it issues in total victory over the foes (68:23). Amos 9:2-3 likewise denies any hiding place from divine justice. Vengeance is God's prerogative (Romans 12:19), and His judgments are praised as true and righteous (Revelation 19:1-2).
- Psalm 68:21-23 (BSB)“Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways. The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan, I will bring them up from the depths of the sea, that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.””God's judgment falls on enemies who keep on in their guilt, and the Lord speaks of bringing them back from Bashan and the sea.
- Amos 9:2-3 (BSB)“Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.”Amos likewise says no one can hide from God's judgment, not even at the bottom of the sea.
- Romans 12:19 (BSB)“Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.””Vengeance belongs to God, so His people leave judgment in His hands.
- Revelation 19:1-2 (BSB)“After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.””A great heavenly multitude praises God because His judgments are right and true.
General
What scene do 68:24-27 describe?
Answer: A worship procession of God the King to His house
The psalm describes God's festive procession, the march of God the King into His sanctuary (68:24). Singers go first, musicians come behind, and young women play tambourines around them (68:25). The great congregation is called to bless God (68:26), and leaders of several tribes take part: Benjamin, the youngest, at their head, along with princes of Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali (68:27). The scene resembles the day David brought the ark up with shouting, horns, and instruments (2 Samuel 6:5, 15), and Psalm 24 likewise calls the gates to open for the glorious King (Psalm 24:7).
- Psalm 68:24-27 (BSB)“They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary. The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines. Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.”The psalm describes a joyful procession of God as King into His sanctuary, with musicians and tribal leaders.
- 2 Samuel 6:15 (BSB)“while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.”David and all Israel carried the ark up amid shouts and the blast of the ram's horn.
- 2 Samuel 6:5 (BSB)“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.”The celebration before the LORD included stringed instruments, tambourines, and cymbals.
- Psalm 24:7 (BSB)“Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!”Another psalm calls on the ancient gates to lift up and let the glorious King come in.
Theological
What liturgical event is depicted in 68:24-27?
Answer: A worship procession of God the King to His house
The verses portray the procession of God the King into the holy place (68:24), ordered with singers before, musicians after, and maidens with tambourines (68:25), as the great assembly is summoned to bless the LORD (68:26) and youngest Benjamin rules them, with princes of Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali in the train (68:27). The scene resembles the ark's ascent to Jerusalem under David (2 Samuel 6:5, 15) and the entrance liturgy for the glorious King (Psalm 24:7).
- Psalm 68:24-27 (BSB)“They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary. The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines. Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their company, the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.”The psalm describes a joyful procession of God as King into His sanctuary, with musicians and tribal leaders.
- 2 Samuel 6:15 (BSB)“while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.”David and all Israel carried the ark up amid shouts and the blast of the ram's horn.
- 2 Samuel 6:5 (BSB)“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.”The celebration before the LORD included stringed instruments, tambourines, and cymbals.
- Psalm 24:7 (BSB)“Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter!”Another psalm calls on the ancient gates to lift up and let the glorious King come in.
General
True or False: In 68:9-10 God holds back rain from His people as punishment for their complaining.
Answer: False
This is false. The psalm says God sent plentiful rain and refreshed His inheritance when it was worn out (68:9). His inheritance is what He claims as His own possession, and His flock, His people, settled there, where out of His goodness He provided for those in need (68:10). The verses celebrate God's generous care, not His withholding. The land He gave them depends on rain from heaven and is always under His eye (Deuteronomy 11:11-12), and rain in its season was His promised gift (Leviticus 26:4).
- Psalm 68:9-10 (BSB)“You sent abundant rain, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance. Your flock settled therein; O God, from Your bounty You provided for the poor.”God refreshes His exhausted people with rain and provides for the poor out of His goodness.
- Deuteronomy 11:11-12 (BSB)“But the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks in the rain from heaven. It is a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning to the end of the year.”The land God gave Israel depends on rain from the sky and is always under His watchful care.
- Leviticus 26:4 (BSB)“I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.”Rain in its season and a fruitful land are God's promised gifts to His people.
Theological
True or False: 68:9-10 depicts God withholding rain from His inheritance in judgment.
Answer: False
This is false. The verses celebrate providential bounty: God showered abundant rain and restored His weary inheritance (68:9), and His flock settled there, where in His goodness He supplied the needy (68:10). The land of promise depended on rain from heaven under God's constant care (Deuteronomy 11:11-12), and such rain was a covenant blessing (Leviticus 26:4).
- Psalm 68:9-10 (BSB)“You sent abundant rain, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance. Your flock settled therein; O God, from Your bounty You provided for the poor.”God refreshes His exhausted people with rain and provides for the poor out of His goodness.
- Deuteronomy 11:11-12 (BSB)“But the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks in the rain from heaven. It is a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning to the end of the year.”The land God gave Israel depends on rain from the sky and is always under His watchful care.
- Leviticus 26:4 (BSB)“I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.”Rain in its season and a fruitful land are God's promised gifts to His people.
General
In 68:4, how is the God whom the people are called to praise described?
Answer: As the rider on the clouds, named the LORD
The call to sing to God in 68:4 describes Him as riding on the clouds and declares His name to be the LORD, the personal name God revealed to Israel. The picture shows God as King over the skies, moving where He wills with power and majesty. The psalm returns to the same picture near its end, praising Him who rides through the highest heavens (68:33), so the image frames much of the psalm. Moses praised God as the One riding the heavens to help His people (Deuteronomy 33:26), and Isaiah pictures the LORD coming on a speeding cloud in judgment (Isaiah 19:1).
- Psalm 68:4 (BSB)“Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him.”The people are called to sing to God, who is described as riding on the clouds, His name being the LORD.
- Psalm 68:33 (BSB)“to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.”Near the end the psalm returns to the same picture of God riding through the heavens.
- Deuteronomy 33:26 (BSB)““There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.”Moses praises Israel's incomparable God, who rides across the sky and clouds to help His people.
- Isaiah 19:1 (BSB)“This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.”Isaiah pictures the LORD coming to Egypt in judgment, borne on a fast-moving cloud.
Theological
How is God portrayed in the summons to praise of 68:4?
Answer: As the rider on the clouds, named the LORD
The hymnic summons of 68:4 exalts God as the rider on the clouds and identifies Him by the covenant name, the LORD. The image asserts His sovereign dominion over the heavens, and it forms a bracket with 68:33, where He rides the ancient highest heavens. The same imagery expresses God's coming to aid His people (Deuteronomy 33:26) or to judge (Isaiah 19:1).
- Psalm 68:4 (BSB)“Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him.”The people are called to sing to God, who is described as riding on the clouds, His name being the LORD.
- Psalm 68:33 (BSB)“to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.”Near the end the psalm returns to the same picture of God riding through the heavens.
- Deuteronomy 33:26 (BSB)““There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.”Moses praises Israel's incomparable God, who rides across the sky and clouds to help His people.
- Isaiah 19:1 (BSB)“This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.”Isaiah pictures the LORD coming to Egypt in judgment, borne on a fast-moving cloud.
General
In 68:15-16, why are the many-peaked mountains of Bashan pictured as looking on with envy?
Answer: God chose a different mountain to live on
Mount Bashan is honored as God's mountain, crowned with many peaks (68:15). The psalm imagines those grand mountains staring in envy at another mountain, the one God chose as His home, where the LORD is to live forever (68:16). Height and grandeur did not decide the matter; God's choice did. The psalm soon speaks of God's sanctuary and His temple at Jerusalem (68:24, 29), and other psalms name the chosen mountain as Zion, the hill of Jerusalem where God's temple stood (Psalm 132:13-14; 78:68). Hebrews tells believers in Christ that they have arrived at Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).
- Psalm 68:15-16 (BSB)“A mountain of God is Mount Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is Mount Bashan. Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.”The many-peaked mountains of Bashan are pictured looking with envy at the mountain God chose to dwell on.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (BSB)“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: “This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.”The LORD picked Zion and wanted it as His home for all time.
- Psalm 78:68 (BSB)“But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.”God selected Judah's tribe and Mount Zion, the object of His love.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Hebrews tells believers in Christ that they have already arrived at the heavenly Zion.
Theological
What reason do 68:15-16 give for the envious gaze of Bashan's peaks?
Answer: God chose a different mountain to live on
Mount Bashan, God's many-peaked mountain (68:15), is personified as looking askance at the mount God selected as His abode, His everlasting dwelling (68:16). Divine election, not natural grandeur, determines the place of God's dwelling. The psalm points to His sanctuary at Jerusalem (68:24, 29), identified elsewhere as Zion, chosen and loved by God (Psalm 132:13-14; 78:68), and Hebrews locates the new-covenant believer at the heavenly Zion (Hebrews 12:22).
- Psalm 68:15-16 (BSB)“A mountain of God is Mount Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is Mount Bashan. Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.”The many-peaked mountains of Bashan are pictured looking with envy at the mountain God chose to dwell on.
- Psalm 132:13-14 (BSB)“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: “This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.”The LORD picked Zion and wanted it as His home for all time.
- Psalm 78:68 (BSB)“But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved.”God selected Judah's tribe and Mount Zion, the object of His love.
- Hebrews 12:22 (BSB)“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels”Hebrews tells believers in Christ that they have already arrived at the heavenly Zion.
General
What contrast do 68:2-3 draw?
Answer: The wicked vanish before God, while the just rejoice
The psalm uses two quick images for what happens to the wicked when God appears: they are driven off like smoke in the wind and they melt away like wax near a flame (68:2). Then it turns: the righteous, those who belong to God and live by His ways, are glad and celebrate in His presence (68:3). The same presence of God that means ruin for the wicked means joy for His people. Other psalms use the same images (Psalm 37:20; 97:5), and the very first psalm sets out the same two outcomes (Psalm 1:6).
- Psalm 68:2-3 (BSB)“As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God. But the righteous will be glad and rejoice before God; they will celebrate with joy.”Two images of the wicked vanishing before God are set against the joy of the righteous.
- Psalm 37:20 (BSB)“But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.”Another psalm says the enemies of the LORD will disappear, drifting off like smoke.
- Psalm 97:5 (BSB)“The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.”Before the LORD even the mountains soften and run like melting wax.
- Psalm 1:6 (BSB)“For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”The LORD guards the path of the righteous, while the way of the wicked ends in ruin.
Theological
What antithesis structures 68:2-3?
Answer: The wicked vanish before God, while the just rejoice
The theophany has opposite effects: the wicked are dispersed like smoke and dissolve like wax before God's presence (68:2), while the righteous exult before that same presence (68:3). The divine presence is at once judgment and joy, depending on one's relation to God. The imagery recurs in Psalm 37:20 and 97:5, and the two-ways antithesis goes back to Psalm 1:6.
- Psalm 68:2-3 (BSB)“As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God. But the righteous will be glad and rejoice before God; they will celebrate with joy.”Two images of the wicked vanishing before God are set against the joy of the righteous.
- Psalm 37:20 (BSB)“But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.”Another psalm says the enemies of the LORD will disappear, drifting off like smoke.
- Psalm 97:5 (BSB)“The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.”Before the LORD even the mountains soften and run like melting wax.
- Psalm 1:6 (BSB)“For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”The LORD guards the path of the righteous, while the way of the wicked ends in ruin.
General
In 68:11-12, who proclaims the news that enemy kings are fleeing?
Answer: A large throng of women
At the Lord's command, a large throng of women spread the news (68:11): enemy kings and armies are running away, and even the woman who stayed home gets a share of the plunder (68:12). The victory is so complete that its rewards reach those who never went to battle, and the psalm credits it to the Almighty, who scattered the kings like snow on Zalmon (68:14). In Israel women often led the celebration of God's victories, as Miriam did at the sea (Exodus 15:20-21) and as Israel's women did after David defeated the Philistine (1 Samuel 18:6-7).
- Psalm 68:11-12 (BSB)“The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it: “Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder.”At the Lord's word a host of women announce that enemy kings have fled and the spoils are shared.
- Psalm 68:14 (BSB)“When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.”God's scattering of the kings is compared to snow falling on Zalmon.
- Exodus 15:20-21 (BSB)“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.””Miriam and the women of Israel celebrated God's victory at the sea with tambourines and song.
- 1 Samuel 18:6-7 (BSB)“As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.””After David's victory over the Philistine, women from every town of Israel came out to celebrate with songs and dances.
Theological
According to 68:11-12, who heralds the rout of the enemy kings?
Answer: A large throng of women
At the Lord's command a great host of women announce the news (68:11): hostile kings flee, and the spoil is divided even by the woman who remained at home (68:12). The victory belongs wholly to the Almighty, who scattered the kings like snow on Zalmon (68:14). Women heralding and celebrating divine victory is a recurring biblical pattern (Exodus 15:20-21; 1 Samuel 18:6-7).
- Psalm 68:11-12 (BSB)“The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it: “Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder.”At the Lord's word a host of women announce that enemy kings have fled and the spoils are shared.
- Psalm 68:14 (BSB)“When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.”God's scattering of the kings is compared to snow falling on Zalmon.
- Exodus 15:20-21 (BSB)“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.””Miriam and the women of Israel celebrated God's victory at the sea with tambourines and song.
- 1 Samuel 18:6-7 (BSB)“As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.””After David's victory over the Philistine, women from every town of Israel came out to celebrate with songs and dances.