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Psalms 68 Explained — God Arises And Scatters His Enemies

The psalm celebrates God rising, enemies fleeing, and captives gathered as He rides through the wilderness in power. It matters because the same God who thunders in strength also dwells with the humble, and His presence turns weakness into courage.

Summary

Psalm 68:1–6 – Let God arise What happens: Enemies scatter while the righteous rejoice. God is father to the fatherless and defender of widows. What it means: God champions the vulnerable. His presence overturns oppression.


Psalm 68:7–10 – In the wilderness What happens: God marches before His people, shakes Sinai, and provides rain and a home. What it means: God guides and sustains His people. History remembers His faithful care.


Psalm 68:11–18 – Victory and ascension What happens: The Lord gives the word and kings flee. He ascends on high, leading captives and receiving gifts. What it means: God conquers His enemies and blesses His people. The New Testament applies this to Christ’s victorious ascent.


Psalm 68:19–23 – Daily bearing and deliverance What happens: God daily bears burdens and wounds the heads of His foes. What it means: God carries His people and judges evil. Salvation is ongoing care.


Psalm 68:24–27 – Procession into the sanctuary What happens: Worshipers process with singers and musicians. What it means: Worship celebrates God’s kingship in community. Beauty and order honor Him.


Psalm 68:28–35 – Kings bring tribute What happens: Nations submit and bring gifts; God shows power from Zion. What it means: God’s kingdom draws the nations. Strength and majesty belong to Him.


Application

  • Defend the vulnerable as God does.
  • Remember and retell God’s past faithfulness.
  • Praise Christ who triumphs and gives gifts to His church.

Bible

1To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

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