Bible Commentaries
Psalms 68

Verse 1

Title. Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

Song. Hebrew. shir. It was written originally for use at the going up of the Ark to Zion 951, BC, a Sabbatical year ( 2Sa 6 and 1 Chronicles 15:0 ; see note on Title of Psalms 24:0 ); but, as it celebrates, among other things, the deliverance from Egypt, it was afterward appointed for public use at the Feast of the Passover. See notes on the sub-scription, and compare Psalms 68:1 and Psalms 68:4 .

Let God arise. The Divine formula at the setting forth of the Ark. In the prayer (Numbers 10:35 ), "Rise up Jehovah"; but here, God (Elohim.), because in connection with enemies.

Let. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And let".

Verse 2

driven away = driven about.

wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

Verse 3

let. Some codices, with five early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and let".

Verse 4

JAH. See App-4 . Compare Exodus 15:2 . The Divine Titles enrich this Psalm: Elohim occurs twenty-six times, because the Psalm has to do with the scattering of His enemies. The first occurrence of JAH is in Exodus 15:2 , and in the Psalms this first occurrence is in the second, or Exodus book.

Verse 5

holy habitation: i.e. which David had prepared for the Ark on Zion.

Verse 6

setteth the solitary in families = bringeth absent ones home.

the rebellious = rebellious ones.

dwell = have [ever] dwelt.

Verse 7

when Thou wentest forth: i.e. from Egypt. The whole deliverance of Israel is here rehearsed. See the sub-scription. For use at the Passover.

Selah. Connecting the first going up of the Ark in the wilderness with its accompaniments. See App-66 .

Verse 8

dropped: i.e. dropped [moisture].

Verse 10

Thy congregation = Thy living ones, or living host.

the poor = the humbled or oppressed one.

Verse 11

The LORD *. One of the 134 places where Jehovah was changed by the Sopherim to Adonai. See App-32 ; also verses: Psalms 68:17 , Psalms 68:19 , Psalms 68:22 , Psa 17:26 , Psa 17:32 .

company = host, or army.

those = the women. See note on Psalms 68:25 . This is the women's part. Compare 1 Samuel 18:6 , 1 Samuel 18:7 . Compare Deborah.

published it. Always used of good news.

Verse 12

Kings, &c. Verses Psa 12:13 , are the words of the women.

did flee apace. The rendering of the Figure of speech Epizeuxis. Hebrew "did flee, did flee". Compare Judges 5:19 ; Judges 7:25 .

tarried at home. Compare 1 Samuel 30:21-25 .

Verse 13

pots. Hebrew Dual, the two [or between the] brickkilns: i.e. in Egypt. Not dirty vessels according to the Rabbinical commentators, but dirty places.

yet shall ye be. Referring to the deliverance and subsequent glory.

Verse 14

the ALMIGHTY. Hebrew Shaddai. App-4 .

in it: i.e. in His inheritance.

was white, &c. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus, "was as [when He scatters] snow in Salmon": i.e. scatters by dispersing, as snow is melted away.

Salmon. Occurs only here and Judges 9:48 .

Verse 15

hill = mountain. See note on Ezekiel 28:16 .

Verse 16

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

leap = look askance at, or envy. Hebrew. razad. Occurs only here. By the Figure of speech Prosopopoeia , the other mountains are spoken of as envying Zion.

This is. Omit these italics, and punctuate thus: "Why will ye envy, O ye high hills, the hill Jehovah desired for His abode".

desireth. Compare Psalms 78:67 , Psalms 78:68 ; Psalms 132:13 ; and 1 Kings 11:32 .Nehemiah 1:9 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 17

chariots. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

twenty thousand. Hebrew twice ten thousand thousands.

even thousands. Hebrew thousands repeated: i.e. upon thousands. is among them, &c. This line, according to the primitive orthography in the division of the word, reads; "Jehovah hath come from Sinai into the Sanctuary". See Ginsburg, Int., pp 161, 162. Or, the printed text may stand with the Ellipsis supplied thus: "Jehovah among them (i.e. the angels and chariots) [hath come from] Sinai into the Sanctuary".

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 18

Thou. Is this the poor one of Psalms 68:10 ?

ascended on high = gone up to the high [mountain: i.e. Zion]; referring to the Ark; but a type of Christ's ascension, as is clear from Ephesians 4:8 .

led = led in procession.

captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for captives.

received gifts for men. The Hebrew lakah has a twofold meaning, i.e. receiving and giving. Here the Ellipsis must be supplied by the second, "received [and given] gifts among (or for) men". In Ephesians 4:8 the Ellipsis must be supplied by the former, "Thou hast [received] and given gifts among (or for) men". "Among" is one of the recognized renderings of Beth (= B) with a plural noun. (See Psalms 99:6 . 2 Samuel 15:31 .)

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Yea. Figure of speech Epitrechon. .

for the rebellious also. This is a foreshadowing of true grace.

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah, as in Psalms 68:4 .

dwell. Hebrew. shakan. See note on "placed" (Genesis 3:24 ) = dwell as in a tabernacle, the Ark being the symbol of His presence. Compare Exodus 25:8 ; Exodus 29:45 , Exodus 29:46 . Joshua 18:1 ; Jos 22:19 . 1 Kings 6:13 . It is from this verb that we have Shekinah.

Verse 19

THE GOD. Hebrew El (with Art.) App-4 .

of our = "[Who is] our".

salvation. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "salvations" (plural) = our great salvation.

Selah. Connecting the exhortation to bless Jehovah (Psalms 68:19 ) with the reason for it (Psalms 68:20 ). See App-66 .

Verse 20

He That is. These italics may be omitted, or otherwise supplied. "The El [we have] is the El", &c.

GOD the Lord. Hebrew. Jehovah. Adonai.

the issues from = means of escape from. (No Art.)

death. With the Art., as in Psalms 116:15 . The reference is to Exodus 12:12 , Exodus 12:13 , Exodus 12:29 .

Verse 21

trespasses. Hebrew. 'asham. App-44 .

Verse 22

I will bring. Figure of speech Epizeuxis , for emphasis = I will surely bring.

My people. Supply the Ellipsis from the context: "I will surely bring [mine enemies] from" wherever they may have fled, bring them again for judgment; the object being stated in the next verse. See the Structure.

Verse 23

dipped. Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "bathed". Compare Isaiah 63:3 , Revelation 19:13 .

dogs in the same. Supply the Ellipsis from the context: "dogs [may lick] the same".

Verse 24

goings = progression, or procession. Compare 2Sa 6 ; 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 , where the order is given as in verses: Psalms 68:24 , Psalms 68:25 here.

goings. Figure of speech Epizeuxis.

in = into.

Verse 25

went before. Compare 1 Chronicles 15:16-21 .

followed after = behind.

Among = between.

damsels. Hebrew. 'dlamoth : i.e. the females of Psalms 68:11 . See App-65 .

timbrels = drums. Hebrew. toph. See note on Exodus 15:20 .

Verse 26

congregations = assemblies.

from. Supply the Ellipsis , "[Ye that are] from, or of, the fountain of Israel".

fountain: i.e. the patriarch Abraham, or, Israel. Ginsburg suggests "the called of Israel".

Verse 27

Benjamin. The least of the tribes, and last on the jasper stone of Aaron's breastplate. Compare Exodus 28:20 . Jasper is the first Stone in the foundations of Revelation 21:19 .

and their council = their company.

Zebulun. Four tribes named: two in the extreme south, and two in the extreme north.

Verse 28

Thy God hath commanded. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Command, O God".

strength = strength (for defence). Hebrew. 'azaz.

Strengthen, &c. "Strengthen, O God, the strength which Thou hast wrought for us from Thy temple". Connecting with this line the first words of Psalms 68:29 .

Verse 29

Because of Thy temple. See note above.

at Jerusalem = unto Jerusalem (commencing a new line) shall kings bring presents, &c.

Verse 30

the company of spearmen = the wild beasts of the reeds.

The multitude of the bulls = the herd of mighty oxen. Compare Jeremiah 46:20 , Jeremiah 46:21 .

people = peoples.

pieces of silver: i.e. tribute money.

Scatter Thou. So it should read with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, but Hebrew text reads "He hath scattered".

Verse 31

Ethiopia. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for Ethiopians.

stretch out her hands. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), either for bringing presents, as in Psalms 68:29 , or for prayer, or for pledging loyalty with an oath.

Verse 32

Selah. Connecting the exhortation to praise with Him Who is to be praised, verses: Psalms 68:33-35 . See App-66 .

Verse 33

rideth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.

of old. Compare 2 Peter 3:5 and 2 Peter 3:6 : referring to "the world that then was".

His voice. Omit the italics, and then we have the Figure of speech Epizeuxis , "His voice a voice of strength".

Verse 35

Thou art terrible. Supply Ellipsis thus: "[To be feared] is God from His Sanctuary".

Thy holy places. Septuagint and Vulg, read the singular. It is the plural of majesty.

holy. See note on Exodus 3:6 .

power. Hebrew, plural = mighty, or abundant power.