Psalms 68:1

The Glory of God in His Goodness to Israel

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.

1 Let ^aGod arise,
Let His enemies be scattered;
Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.

2 ^aAs smoke is driven away,
So drive them away;
^bAs wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But ^alet the righteous be glad;
Let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
^aExtol¹ Him who rides on the clouds,
^bBy His name¹ YAH,
And rejoice before Him.

5 ^aA father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.

6 ^aGod sets the solitary in families;
^bHe brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But ^cthe rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7 O God, ^awhen 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 ^aYou, O God, sent a plentiful rain,
Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance,
When it was weary.

10 Your congregation dwelt in it;
^aYou, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word;
Great was the¹ company of those who proclaimed it:

12 “Kings^a of armies flee, they flee,
And she who remains at home divides the¹ spoil.

13 ^aThough you lie down among the¹ sheepfolds,
^bYou will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And her feathers with yellow gold.”

14 ^aWhen 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 you¹ fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks?
^aThis is the mountain which God desires to dwell in;
Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever.

17 ^aThe chariots of God are twenty thousand,
Even thousands of thousands;
The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.

18 ^aYou have ascended on high,
^bYou have led captivity captive;
^cYou have received gifts among men,
Even from ^dthe rebellious,
^eThat the Lord God might dwell there.

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 ^ato GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.

21 But ^aGod will wound the head of His enemies,
^bThe hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.

22 The Lord said, “I will bring ^aback from Bashan,
I will bring them back ^bfrom the depths of the sea,

23 ^aThat¹ your foot may crush them in blood,
^bAnd the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

24 They have seen Your¹ procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

25 ^aThe 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 ^athe fountain of Israel.

27 ^aThere is little Benjamin, their leader,
The princes of Judah and their¹ company,
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

28 Your God has ^acommanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
^aKings will bring presents to You.

30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,
^aThe herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,
Till everyone ^bsubmits himself with pieces of silver.
Scatter the peoples who delight in war.

31 ^aEnvoys will come out of Egypt;
^bEthiopia will quickly ^cstretch out her hands to God.

32 Sing to God, you ^akingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah

33 To Him ^awho rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!
Indeed, He sends out His voice, a ^bmighty voice.

34 ^aAscribe strength to God;
His excellence is over Israel,
And His strength is in the clouds.

35 O God, ^aYou are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!

Commentaries:

Matthew Henry

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Psalms 68:2 >>

Psalms 68:1-35

A prayer— The greatness and goodness of God. (1-6) The wonderful works God wrought for his people. (7-14) The presence of God in his church. (15-21) The victories of Christ. (22-28) Enlargement of the church. (29-31) The glory and grace of God. (32-35)

Verses 1-6 None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.

Verses 7-14 Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. If God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go before them in it, and to bring them out of it. He provided for them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna seems here meant. And it looks to the spiritual provision for God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain, with which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is found. Christ shall come as showers that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be applied to the victories over death and hell, by the exalted Redeemer, for those that are his. Israel in Egypt among the kilns appeared wretched, but possessed of Canaan, during the reigns of David and Solomon, appeared glorious. Thus the slaves of Satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and sanctified by him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all remains of their sinful state disappear, they shall be as the wings of the dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as gold. Full salvation will render those white as snow, who were vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.

Verses 15-21 The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto it is applied, ephesians 4:8 . He received as the purchase of his death, the gifts needful for the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of believers. These he continually bestows, even on rebellious men, that the Lord God might dwell among them, as their Friend and Father. He gave gifts to men. Having received power to give eternal life, the Lord Jesus bestows it on as many as were given him, john 17:2 . Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the serpent.

Verses 22-28 The victories with which God blessed David over the enemies of Israel, are types of Christ's victory, for himself and for all believers. Those who take him for theirs, may see him acting as their God, as their King, for their good, and in answer to their prayers; especially in and by his word and ordinances. The kingdom of the Messiah shall be submitted to by all the rulers and learned in the world. The people seem to address the king, ver. 28 . But the words are applicable to the Redeemer, to his church, and every true believer. We pray, that thou, O God the Son, wilt complete thine undertaking for us, by finishing thy good work in us.

Verses 29-31 A powerful invitation is given to those that are without, to join the church. Some shall submit from fear; overcome by their consciences, and the checks of Providence, they are brought to make peace with the church. Others will submit in service of God, and in the gospel of Christ which went forth from Jerusalem, which is enough to invite sinners out of all nations.

Verses 32-35 God is to be admired and adored with reverence and godly fear, by all that attend in his holy places. The God of Israel gives strength and power unto his people. Through Christ strengthening us we can do all things, not otherwise; therefore he must have the glory of all we do, with our humble thanks for enabling us to do it, and for accepting the work of his hands in us.

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The Glory of God in His Goodness to Israel

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.

Psalms 68:1-35

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning