Psa Psalms, psalm Book of Psalms, psalm 68
For the music director. A psalm of David. A song.
Stand up, God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate him run away from him!Num 10:35
Blow them away as if they were smoke; melt them like beeswax in a fire. Let the wicked die in God's presence.
But those who are right with God are happy, and they celebrate in God's presence, full of joy.Psa 64:10
Sing praises to God! Sing praises to his wonderful reputation!68:4. Literally, “name.” Praise the rider of the clouds—his name is the Lord!68:4. Literally, “Yah,” a short form of Yahweh. Be happy in his presence!Isa 40:3; Isa 57:14
He is a father to the orphans, a protector of widows. This is who God is, who lives in his holy place.68:5. “His holy place”—this may be a reference to heaven or the Temple.Psa 146:9; Jhn 14:18
God gives those who are abandoned68:6. Or “lonely.” a family to live with. He sets prisoners free with celebration.68:6. Or “singing.” This word only occurs once in the Old Testament. It has also been translated as “prosperity.” But those who rebel live in a desert wasteland.Psa 113:9
God, when you led your people out,68:7. Referring to the Exodus. when you marched through the desert, Selah,Exo 13:20; Num 14:14
the earth quaked, and the heavens shook68:8. Or “poured down rain.” before God, the one of Sinai; before God, the God of Israel.Exo 20:18
You sent plenty of rain to water the promised land; refreshing it when it was dry.68:9. This line could also be directly applied to the people of Israel, since the “inheritance” was both the land and the people.Isa 32:15; Isa 44:3; Jol 2:28
Your people settled there, and because of your kindness, God, you looked after the poor. Selah.
The Lord gives the command, and a great army of women spread the good news.Isa 52:7
The kings of the foreign armies are quick to run away, and the women68:12. The women of Israel. who stayed at home divide the plunder!
Why are you staying at home?68:13. The meaning here is uncertain. Literally, “you lie down by the hearthstones (or sheepfolds).” There are ornaments in the shape of a dove with wings of silver and feathers of fine gold to be taken.68:13. “To be taken.” Implied. Though the text is not clear it seems that this is related to the plunder mentioned in verse 12.
The Almighty scattered the foreign kings like a snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.Jdg 9:48
“Mountain of God,” Mount Bashan, with your many high peaks, Mount Bashan,
why do you look enviously, mountain with many peaks, at the mountain God chose as his home, where the Lord will live forever?68:16. While this verse is complex, it seems to be suggesting that there were those who questioned the superiority of Mount Zion, and that their own mountains (Mount Bashan) were equally acceptable as places for God to dwell and be worshiped. It's interesting to note that even much later this issue of “which mountain” was brought up by the Samaritan woman to Jesus, since the Samaritans identified Mount Gerizim as their holy mountain. Psa 114:4
God's chariots can't be counted; there are thousands and thousands of them. He comes among them from Sinai into his Temple.Deu 33:2
As you ascended to your high throne you led a procession of prisoners. You received gifts from the people, even from those who had rebelled against the home of the Lord God.Eph 4:10
May the Lord be blessed, for every day he carries our burdens.68:19. Or “every day he carries us.” God is our salvation. Selah.
For us, God is a God who saves. The Lord God provides our escape from death.Deu 32:39; 1Sa 2:6
But God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy heads68:21. This may refer to the practice of warriors not cutting their hair during times of war. of those who continue to sin.
The Lord says, “I will drag them down from Bashan; I will drag them up from the depths of the sea,Num 21:33
so that you may walk in their blood. Even your dogs will have their share of your enemies.”Psa 58:10; Rev 14:20
People watch your processions, God—the processions of my God and King as they go into the Temple.
The singers are at the front, the musicians at the back, and in the middle girls playing tambourines.Exo 15:20; 1Sa 18:6
Praise God, everyone who has come to worship; praise the Lord, everyone who belongs to Israel.Psa 22:22; Jhn 20:17
There is the little tribe of Benjamin, followed by the many leaders from Judah; then come the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
Display your power, God! Reveal your strength, Lord, as you have done for us in the past.
Because of your Temple in Jerusalem, kings bring tribute to you.Psa 72:10; Isa 60:6
Condemn the beasts of the reeds, the bulls and calves!68:30. The meaning of this line is not clear. It may refer to Egypt, and also to other foreign nations. May they be humbled and bring bars of silver in tribute! Scatter the war-loving nations!
Let Egypt come with bronze gifts;68:31. The word only occurs here in the OT. Alternatively it may mean ambassadors, natron, or expensive cloth. let Ethiopia come quickly and hand over their tributes to God!Isa 18:7
Sing to God, kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord. Selah.
Sing to the rider of the ancient heavens,68:33. In other words, the Creator. his strong voice sounding like thunder!Psa 29:3; Zec 9:14; Rev 4:5
Let everyone know of God's power: how his majesty extends over Israel, how his strength is revealed in the heavens.68:34. Literally, “clouds” as a symbol of heaven above.
How awesome is God in his Temple! The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people! Praise God!