1Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God. Yes, let them exceedingly rejoice. 4Sing unto God, make music unto His name; exalt Him who rides in the wilderness by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. 5In His holy dwelling God is a father to the fatherless, and a judge for the widows. 6God causes those who are alone to live in households; He delivers those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 7O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness; Selah: 8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, by which You established Your inheritance when it was weary. 10Your community has dwelt in it; You, O God, have provided from Your goodness for the poor. 11The Lord gave the Word; great was the host of those who proclaimed it. 12Kings of armies fled, they fled away; and she who stayed at home divided the spoils. 13When you lie down among the sheepfolds, you shall be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its pinions with yellow gold. 14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it snowed in Salmon. 15Mount Bashan is God's mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of peaks. 16Why do you gaze in envy, O mountain peaks, at the mountain where God desires to dwell? Yes, Jehovah will abide in it forever. 17The chariots of God are a vast innumerable number, thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them as at Sinai, in the Holy Place. 18You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts for men, yes, even for the rebellious; that YAH God might dwell among them. 19Blessed is the Lord who day by day bears our burdens, the Mighty God of our salvation! Selah. 20Our Mighty God is the God of salvation; and unto Jehovah the Lord belong the escapes from death. 21But God shall wound the head of His enemies, and the hairy head of him who walks on in his guilt. 22The Lord said, I will bring back from Bashan; I will bring back My people from the depths of the sea; 23so that your foot may shatter your enemies in blood, and the tongue of your dogs may lap it. 24They have seen Your goings, O God; the goings of my Mighty God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25The singers went before, then those playing instruments followed; among them were the maidens playing the timbrels. 26Bless God in the congregations, the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. 27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the leaders of Judah and their multitude, the leaders of Zebulun, and the leaders of Naphtali. 28Your God has commanded your strength; O God, be strong in that which You have done for us. 29Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents unto You. 30Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, the community of the bullheaded with the calves of the peoples, trampling with pieces of silver. Scatter the people who delight in war. 31Ambassadors shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hurry with gifts in her hands unto God. 32Sing unto God, you kingdoms of the earth; O make music unto the Lord. Selah. 33To Him who rides on the Heavens of heavens from antiquity; lo, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. 34Ascribe strength unto God over Israel; His majesty and His strength in the clouds. 35O God, You are awesome out of Your sanctuary; the Mighty God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to the people. Blessed is God.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 This is a Psalm-song (see on
Ps 30:1, title), perhaps suggested by David's victories, which secured his throne and gave rest to the nation. In general terms, the judgment of God on the wicked, and the equity and goodness of His government to the pious, are celebrated. The sentiment is illustrated by examples of God's dealings, cited from the Jewish history and related in highly poetical terms. Hence the writer intimates an expectation of equal and even greater triumphs and summons all nations to unite in praises of the God of Israel. The Psalm is evidently typical of the relation which God, in the person of His Son, sustains to the Church (compare
Ps 68:18). (Psa. 68:1-35)
Compare
Num 10:35;
Ps 1:4;
Ps 22:14, on the figures here used.
before him--as in
Ps 68:2, from His presence, as dreaded; but in
Ps 68:3, in His presence, as under His protection (
Ps 61:7).
3 the righteous--all truly pious, whether of Israel or not.
4 extol him . . . heavens--literally, "cast up for Him who rideth in the deserts," or "wilderness" (compare
Ps 68:7), alluding to the poetical representation of His leading His people in the wilderness as a conqueror, before whom a way is to be prepared, or "cast up" (compare
Isa 40:3;
Isa 62:10).
by his name JAH--or, "Jehovah," of which it is a contraction (
Exod 15:3;
Isa 12:2) (Hebrew).
name--or, "perfections" (
Ps 9:10;
Ps 20:1), which--
5 are illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him.
6 setteth the solitary in families--literally, "settleth the lonely" (as wanderers) "at home." Though a general truth, there is perhaps allusion to the wandering and settlement of the Israelites.
rebellious dwell in a dry land--removed from all the comforts of home.
7 (Compare
Exod 19:16-
Exod 19:18).
thou wentest--in the pillar of fire.
thou didst march--literally, "in Thy tread," Thy majestic movement.
8 even Sinai itself--literally, "that Sinai," as in
Judg 5:5.
9 a plentiful rain--a rain of gifts, as manna and quails.
10 Thy congregation--literally, "troop," as in
2Sam 23:11,
2Sam 23:13 --the military aspect of the people being prominent, according to the figures of the context.
therein--that is, in the land of promise.
the poor--Thy humble people (
Ps 68:9; compare
Ps 10:17;
Ps 12:5).
11 gave the word--that is, of triumph.
company--or, choir of females, celebrating victory (
Exod 15:20).
12 Kings of armies--that is, with their armies.
she that . . . at home--Mostly women so remained, and the ease of victory appears in that such, without danger, quietly enjoyed the spoils.
13 Some translate this, "When ye shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies in the times of the judges; or, taking the whole figuratively, the rows of stones on which cooking vessels were hung; and thus that a contrast is drawn between their former low and afflicted state and their succeeding prosperity. In either case, a state of quiet and peace is described by a beautiful figure.
14 Their enemies dispersed, the contrast of their prosperity with their former distress is represented by that of the snow with the dark and somber shades of Salmon.
15 Mountains are often symbols of nations (
Ps 46:2;
Ps 65:6). That of Bashan, northeast of Palestine, denotes a heathen nation, which is described as a "hill of God," or a great hill. Such are represented as envious of the hill (Zion) on which God resides;
17 and, to the assertion of God's purpose to make it His dwelling, is added evidence of His protecting care. He is described as in the midst of His heavenly armies--
thousands of angels--literally, "thousands of repetitions," or, "thousands of thousands"--that is, of chariots. The word "angels" was perhaps introduced in our version, from
Deut 33:2, and
Gal 3:19. They are, of course, implied as conductors of the chariots.
as . . . Sinai, in the holy place--that is, He has appeared in Zion as once in Sinai.
18 From the scene of conquest He ascends to His throne, leading--
captivity captive--or, "many captives captive" (
Judg 5:12).
received gifts for men--accepting their homage, even when forced, as that of rebels.
that the Lord God might dwell--or literally, "to dwell, O Lord God" (compare
Ps 68:16) --that is, to make this hill, His people or Church, His dwelling. This Psalm typifies the conquests of the Church under her divine leader, Christ. He, indeed, "who was with the Church in the wilderness" (
Acts 7:38) is the Lord, described in this ideal ascension. Hence Paul (
Eph 4:8) applies this language to describe His real ascension, when, having conquered sin, death, and hell, the Lord of glory triumphantly entered heaven, attended by throngs of adoring angels, to sit on the throne and wield the scepter of an eternal dominion. The phrase "received gifts for (or literally, among) men" is by Paul, "gave gifts to men." Both describe the acts of a conqueror, who receives and distributes spoils. The Psalmist uses "receiving" as evincing the success, Paul "gave" as the act, of the conqueror, who, having subdued his enemies, proceeds to reward his friends. The special application of the passage by Paul was in proof of Christ's exaltation. What the Old Testament represents of His descending and ascending corresponds with His history. He who descended is the same who has ascended. As then ascension was an element of His triumph, so is it now; and He, who, in His humiliation, must be recognized as our vicarious sacrifice and the High Priest of our profession, must also be adored as Head of His Church and author of all her spiritual benefits.
19 God daily and fully supplies us. The issues or escapes from death are under His control, who is the God that saves us, and destroys His and our enemies.
21 wound the head--or, "violently destroy" (
Num 24:8;
Ps 110:6).
goeth on still in . . . trespasses--perseveringly impenitent.
22 Former examples of God's deliverance are generalized: as He has done, so He will do.
from Bashan--the farthest region; and--
depths of the sea--the severest afflictions. Out of all, God will bring them. The figures of
Ps 68:23 denote the completeness of the conquest, not implying any savage cruelty (compare
2Kgs 9:36;
Isa 63:1-
Isa 63:6;
Jer 15:3).
24 The triumphal procession, after the deliverance, is depicted.
They have seen--impersonally, "There have been seen."
the goings of my God--as leading the procession; the ark, the symbol of His presence, being in front. The various bands of music (
Ps 68:25) follow, and all who are--
26 from--or literally, "of"
the fountain of Israel--that is, lineal descendants of Jacob, are invited to unite in the doxology. Then by one of the nearest tribes, one of the most eminent, and two of the most remote, are represented the whole nation of Israel, passing forward (Num. 7:1-89).
28 Thanks for the past, and confident prayer for the future victories of Zion are mingled in a song of praise.
29 thy temple--literally, "over"
Jerusalem--His palace or residence (
Ps 5:7) symbolized His protecting presence among His people, and hence is the object of homage on the part of others.
30 The strongest nations are represented by the strongest beasts (compare Margin).
31 Princes--or, literally, "fat ones," the most eminent from the most wealthy, and the most distant nation, represent the universal subjection.
stretch out her hands--or, "make to run her hands," denoting haste.
32 To Him who is presented as riding in triumph through His ancient heavens and proclaiming His presence--to Him who, in nature, and still more in the wonders of His spiritual government, out of His holy place (
Ps 43:3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church, rules the world in righteousness--let all nations and kingdoms give honor and power and dominion evermore.