The Book of Psalms
Psalm 68
Psalm LXVIII · Vol. II, pp. 1028–1029
1 A prayer at the removing of the ark. 4 An exhortation to praise God for his mercies, 7 for his care of the church, 19 and for his great works.
To the chief musician, A psalm or song of David.
2 Asb smoke is driven away, so drive them away: cas wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish2 at the presence of God.
4 Singe unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that grideth upon the heavens4 by his name JAH,5 and rejoice before him.
6 God jsetteth the solitary in 6families: khe bringeth out those which are bound with chains:7 but lthe rebellious dwell in a dry land.
A.M. cir. 2959. B.C. cir. 1045.
6 Heb. in a house.
k Ps.107.10; 146.7. Ac.12.4,7.
7 These two facts were remarkably exemplified in Joseph; and none but those who have been 'solitary' and friendless, can feel the entire import of such providential goodness.—C.
l Ps.107.34,40. Mal.1.3.
7 O God, when thou nwentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:8
n Ju.4.14. Ex.13.21. Hab.3.3,13. Ps.114.7.
8 See note on Ps.3.2.—C.
8 Theo earth shook, the heavens also dropped9 at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
o Ex.19.16,18. Ju.5.4. Is.64.3. Ps.77.18; 114.4-7.
9 The heavens dropped, that is, the clouds of heaven send down rain-drops.—C.
9 Thou, O God, pdidst send1 a plentiful rain,2 whereby thou didst 3confirm4 thine inheritance when it was weary.5
p Ps.78.24,27; 65.9,10. De.11.10-14. Eze.34.36?.
1 Heb. shake out.
2 Though rain be often employed as an emblem of spiritual blessings from heaven, there is no reason for concluding that it was not here a literal though miraculous descent.—C.
3 Heb. confirm it.
4 Confirm—'refresh.'—Lowth.
5 Perhaps reference may be made to the manna, which fell as rain. The latter part of the verse may be translated, 'By which thou didst strengthen thy people when they were fainting.'—P.
10 Thyq congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, rhast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
q Ps.74.1,2,19; 135.4. Ex.19.5,6.
r Mat.11.5. De.26.5,9,10; 32.8-14.
11 The LORD gave the word: sgreat was the company6 of those that published it.
s Ex.15.20,21. Ju.v.; 11.34. 1 Sa.18.6.
6 Heb. army.
13 Though ye have tlien among the pots, yet shall ye be as uthe wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
15 They hill of God3 is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill, as zthe hill of Bashan.
y Ps.78.68,69; 2.6; 48.2. Is.2.2.
3 Rather, 'the hill of God. Is it the hill of Bashan?'—C.
16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? athis is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever
a 1 Ki.9.3. Ps.78.68,69; 2.6; 87.1; 132.13,14. Ep.2.20-22. He.12.22-24.
17 Theb chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands4 of angels: the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, cin the holy place.
18 Thoud hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou ehast received gifts for men;5 yea, for gthe rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
19 Blessedh be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the iGod of our salvation.6 Selah.7
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong jthe issues8 from death.
21 Butk God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
k Ps.110.6. Hab.3.13. Le.26.18,21, &c.
22 The lLORD said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea;
23 Thatn thy foot may be dipped9 in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
n Is.63.1-6. Ps.58.10. Re.19.17. 1 Ki.21.19.
9 Or, red.
25 Thep singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
27 Theres ist little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council,4 the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
30 Rebukey the company5 of spearmen,6 the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou7 the people that delight in war.
31 Princesz shall come out of Egypt: Ethiopia8 shall soon astretch out her hands unto God.
z Ps.72.10,11; 87.4. Is.19.18-25. Zep.3.10. Ac.8.27.
8 Historically verified in the conversion of the Ethiopian, Ac.8.26.—C.
33 To him cthat rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth 1send out dhis voice, and that a mighty voice.
Notes
Ver. 1. These opening words were employed by Moses, Nu. 10. 35, when the ark was removed in the wilderness. The whole psalm, however, is a description of the resurrection, ascension, and glorification of Christ. Compare ver. 18 with Ep. 4. 8. C.
Ver. 4. 'Magnify him who rideth over the Arabah by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.' Reference is here made to the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness, and especially along the valley of Arabah to and from Kadesh. There God went before them in the cloudy pillar; there he proclaimed to them his name Jehovah; there he gave them displays of his power and mercy, such as had never been witnessed. P.——By his name Jah. 'In Jah is his name,' Horsley. That is, Christ, who was with the church through the wilderness, has his personal and official name in Jah, the unity of the self-existent Trinity. C.
Ver. 11. Company. The original directs to those female choirs (see ver. 25) who, in sweet, and holy, and joyful song, published the mercies of the Lord. See, as examples, Ex. 15. 20; 1 Sa. 18. 6. C.
Ver. 12. Allusion is made to the conquests of Moses and Joshua on entering Palestine. P.
Ver. 13. The whole book of Psalms presents no greater difficulty than this verse, and conjectures and emendations have been proportionally numerous. The words supplied in the authorized version render the passage prophetical; but the adjoining verses are merely narrative. May we not therefore rather understand the passage thus:—' Ye have shared the spoil (though ye lay timidly at home, hid among the pots), and are now garnished in these spoils as the wings of a dove covered with silver,' &c.? C.
Ver. 22. My people. Is it not rather the enemy, that God proposes to bring from Bashan on the east, and the sea on the west, that judgment may be executed upon their sins? Joel 3. 2, 12; Re. 16. 16. C.
Ver. 27. In the solemn procession, mentioned in ver. 24, all these tribes were present:—Benjamin on this occasion leading the way; the vast multitudes of Judah following: then the chiefs of Zebulun and Naphtali, representing probably the confederation of the northern tribes. P.
Ver. 30. 'The meaning of the whole verse is, that the most formidable enemies of the people of God, represented here by wild beasts, would be subdued, and would be made to show their submission by bringing presents,—by 'pieces of silver,'—or with tribute. Thus the idea corresponds with that in the previous verse, that kings would bring presents' (Barnes). P.——Calves of the people. The idolatrous worshippers of the Egyptian calf-gods.—Note, Such is the blindness of the human heart, that the cow is still worshipped as a deity in India! C.
Reflections.—No hatred, no opposition of men or devils, could exclude our Redeemer from his glory. However strong or obstinate his enemies, they are overcome by his power. But happy—thrice happy are they who have by faith accepted this glorious, this gracious Jehovah to be their God! Behold how he protects his afflicted church and people; raises up families of saints in our Gentile world; delivers the prisoners of sin and Satan from their chains of corruptions and curses! while sinners bring to themselves eternal ruin! Behold him leading up his people from their spiritual bondage, and by his Word and Spirit directing them in their paths! By his almighty influence he brought down all opposition. By showers of gospel truths and spiritual influences he quickens all who yield themselves to Christ. By the multitudes of his apostles and ministers he published the glad tidings of salvation. Through their faith he saves hell-enslaved sinners by his blood, and adorns them with his righteousness and grace. He established his church firm and high as mountains which cannot be moved, and from which he will never depart. While angelic hosts are her guard, the ascending Redeemer is her conquering head, her treasury, and almoner. How great are his triumphs, his grace, his glory! Never pardoned rebel owed such gratitude to his generous prince as every pardoned sinner owes to his Lord. Never is he weary of showing mercy. And even death is disarmed to them who by faith accept him and his salvation. But dreadful is the fate of obstinate Jews and others who oppose the designs of his grace: and behold, when he went forth in the ordinances of the gospel, by his apostles and other missionaries, how Jews and Gentiles saw his glory, sang his praise, and submitted themselves to his government!