Psa 68 | MHM | STEP | God Arises to Scatter His Enemies and Care for His People In this section, David prays for God to show His power and glory. He asks God to defeat His enemies and bring joy to His people. David also praises God’s greatness and kindness, showing that God is both powerful and caring. These verses remind us that God is not only mighty but also full of compassion for those who are weak or alone. v. 1–2 : David prays, Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered (Psalm 68:1 ). He asks God to stand up like a judge or a general who defeats His enemies. David wants God’s enemies to run away, like smoke blown away by the wind or wax melting before fire. This prayer is also a reminder of Moses’s words and points forward to Jesus, who wins victory over all evil (2 Peter 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ). The wicked cannot win against God, and those who fight against Him will be destroyed.

‏ Psalms 68

God Arises to Scatter His Enemies and Care for His People

In this section, David prays for God to show His power and glory. He asks God to defeat His enemies and bring joy to His people. David also praises God’s greatness and kindness, showing that God is both powerful and caring. These verses remind us that God is not only mighty but also full of compassion for those who are weak or alone.

v. 1–2: David prays, Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered (Psalm 68:1 ^a). He asks God to stand up like a judge or a general who defeats His enemies. David wants God’s enemies to run away, like smoke blown away by the wind or wax melting before fire. This prayer is also a reminder of Moses’s words and points forward to Jesus, who wins victory over all evil (2 Peter 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ^b). The wicked cannot win against God, and those who fight against Him will be destroyed.

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v. 3: David prays that the righteous be glad and rejoice before God . When God comes to help, His people should be filled with joy. God’s presence brings happiness to those who trust Him. Even when life is hard, they can rejoice because God is with them. Joy belongs to all who love God, and we should wish this joy for every believer.

v. 4: David calls everyone to praise God: Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH . God is very great and rules over all creation. He moves the sun, moon, and stars as easily as someone rides a chariot. His name is JAH or Jehovah, which means He always exists and needs nothing. When we praise God, we should rejoice before Him, mixing joy with respect.

v. 5–6: God is also kind and merciful. He is a father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows . He cares deeply for people who have lost their families or feel alone. If someone does not have a father or is a widow, God will look after them and provide what they need (Jeremiah 49:11; Hosea 14:3 ^c). God can also bring lonely people into families and give them a place to belong (Psalm 113:9 ^d). He uses His great power to help the weak and to build up families, giving people a home and hope.

God frees those who are in chains, setting prisoners free when they have been treated unfairly. But those who are rebellious and do evil will end up in a dry land, where there is no blessing. Even the best land is empty without God’s favor. The ones who turn against God cannot find true comfort or happiness, but those who trust in Him will be cared for and protected.

Thankful Praises to God; Mercies Recollected

In these verses, the psalmist remembers and gives thanks for the great things God has done for His people in the past. When God gives us new blessings, we should also remember and be grateful for the blessings He gave before. The psalmist looks back at how God guided, protected, and provided for Israel, and how He lifted them from a low place to a place of honor.

v. 7: God Himself led Israel through the wilderness. After freeing them from slavery, He did not leave them alone in a dry land. Instead, He went before them in a march through the wilderness . With God as their leader, they traveled safely, like an army with banners. If God leads us into a hard place, He will also guide us through it (Song of Solomon 8:5 ^e).

v. 8: At Mount Sinai, God showed His glorious presence. The earth shook, and there were loud thunders and rain, showing God’s power . Even the mountain itself moved at God’s presence (Judges 5:4-5 ^f). This display of power made the people respect and trust God. If God can move mountains, He can help us overcome any difficulty (Deuteronomy 4:32-33 ^g).

v. 9–10: God provided for His people both in the wilderness and in the land of Canaan. He sent a plentiful rain and prepared good things for the poor (Psalm 68:9 ^h). In the wilderness, God gave them manna and quail from heaven (Psalm 78:24,27 ⁱ). In Canaan, He sent rain to make the land fruitful (Deuteronomy 11:11 ^j). God’s spiritual blessings are like rain too—He sends His Spirit and His Word to refresh and strengthen His people (Isaiah 45:8; Psalm 72:6 ^k).

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v. 11–12: God gave Israel victory over their enemies. The Lord gave the word and raised up leaders and prophets to guide them (Psalm 68:11 ^l). When God spoke, many messengers shared the good news. Their enemies, even kings with large armies, ran away in fear. The people of Israel were able to take the spoil, and even those who stayed at home shared in the blessings (Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 30:24 ^m).

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v. 13: Israel was once in a low and dirty place, like people lying among the pots. But God lifted them up and made them beautiful and honored, like the wings of a dove covered with silver . This shows how God can take people from a humble or sinful state and give them dignity and beauty, both as a nation and as individuals.

v. 14: When God scattered the kings who fought against Israel, His people were purified and blessed, white as snow in Salmon . God’s victories not only brought safety but also helped His people become more holy and faithful. This can also remind us of the victory Jesus won over sin and death, which brings spiritual blessings to all believers (Matthew 28:7 ⁿ).

Glory of Zion; The King of Zion

Here, David praises God not only as the God of all Israel but especially as the God who dwells in Zion. Zion is called the “hill of God” because it is the place God chose for His special presence. David explains why Zion is more important than other famous hills, and he describes the glory of God’s presence and the blessings of having the King—Jesus the Messiah—reigning there.

v. 15–16: David compares Mount Zion with the other high and fruitful hills like Bashan, saying that Zion is more honored even though it is smaller. Zion is special because it is the hill which God desires to dwell in (Psalm 68:16 ^o). God’s presence makes Zion greater than any other mountain. The psalmist says, Why leap ye, ye high hills? to show that worldly greatness is nothing compared to being chosen by God (Psalm 132:13-14 ^p). Zion is also a picture of the gospel church, which God will live in forever (Hebrews 12:22 ^q).

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v. 17: Zion is compared to Mount Sinai, where God showed His power with many angels. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels . God has far more power and glory than any earthly king with chariots and armies. Angels surround God in Zion just as they did at Sinai, and they are present even when Christians gather for worship (Hebrews 12:22; 1 Corinthians 11:10 ^r).

v. 18: The greatest glory of Zion is the King that God set there—Jesus Christ. The psalmist says, Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men . This points to Jesus rising to heaven after conquering sin and death (Ephesians 4:8 ^s). He gives spiritual gifts to His people, even to those who were once rebellious, so that God can live among them (John 17:2; Ephesians 4:11 ^t). This shows the amazing grace of Christ, who brings even former enemies into God’s family (Colossians 1:21 ^u).

v. 19–20: The King of Zion is a Savior who blesses His people every day. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation (Psalm 68:19 ^v). God is always giving us good things, both for this life and for our eternal salvation. He has the power to save, even from death, because unto God the Lord belong the issues from death (Psalm 68:20; 2 Corinthians 1:10 ^w). Jesus has authority over life and death (Revelation 1:18 ^x).

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v. 21: But God will also punish those who keep rebelling against Him. God shall wound the head of his enemies . This includes Satan, the old serpent (Genesis 3:15 ^y), and all who refuse to submit to God’s King. God’s justice will reach everyone who goes on in sin and refuses to repent. No one can protect themselves from God’s judgment—not even the strongest or most proud (Psalm 110:6; Luke 19:27 ^z).

Redemption of God's People; Duties Enforced by the Discoveries of Grace

These verses show God’s promise to save His people and defeat their enemies. The psalmist reminds us to trust God because He has helped before and will do so again. He also describes how people should respond with worship, praise, and unity, especially when they see God’s power and grace. Finally, the psalmist speaks about how even people from distant nations will come to honor God because of His mighty works.

v. 22–23: God promises to rescue His people and give them victory. The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea (Psalm 68:22 ^aa). This means God will save His people from great danger, just as He did when He brought Israel out of Egypt and through hard battles into the Promised Land. God will also defeat their enemies, so much so that thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same (Psalm 68:23 ^ab). This is a picture of complete victory and is also a sign of Christ’s victory over sin and death (Revelation 14:20 ^ac).

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v. 24: God’s people witness His wonderful works. They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary . God reveals Himself especially in worship and among His people. Faith allows us to see God’s hand in everything He does for us, especially within the church.

v. 25: Those who serve in the temple should praise God with music and singing. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels . Worship should be joyful, and everyone should join together in praising God, both men and women.

v. 26: All people of Israel should bless God together. Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel . Public worship is important, and everyone who belongs to God’s people should join in giving thanks for God’s blessings.

v. 27: Leaders and important people should lead the way in praising God. There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali . All tribes, from the smallest to the greatest, are united in worship. This shows that everyone—no matter their position—should come together to honor God.

v. 28: The psalmist prays that God will continue to strengthen and help His people. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us . We depend on God for both the beginning and the completing of every good thing in our lives.

v. 29–31: The psalmist looks forward to people from other nations joining in worship. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee (Psalm 68:29 ^ad). Even strong and proud nations will come, some out of fear, some willingly, to honor God. The psalmist mentions Egypt and Ethiopia: Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God (Psalm 68:31 ^ae). This shows that God’s grace is for all people and that one day, people everywhere will worship and serve Him (Isaiah 19:25 ^af).

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Praise to God for His Sovereign Dominion

In these verses, the psalmist invites all nations to join Israel in praising the Lord. He looks forward to a time when the kingdoms of the world will rejoice together because they recognize God’s greatness. The psalmist gives many reasons why God is worthy of praise, focusing on His power, majesty, and kindness to His people.

v. 32: The psalmist calls out, Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord . He wants every nation, not just Israel, to praise God. When people from every land follow the Lord, it will be a time of great joy and celebration.

v. 33: God deserves praise because of His supreme rule. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old . God created the highest heavens and rules over everything from the beginning. He controls all things from His throne, and His power reaches everywhere (Psalm 68:4 ^ag).

v. 34: The psalmist says, Ascribe ye strength unto God . God is all-powerful and no one can stand against Him. His strength protects His people and defeats His enemies. His greatness is shown in the clouds, in the storms, and in all creation. God uses His power to care for His people, especially in the church (Deuteronomy 33:26 ^ah).

v. 35: The psalmist ends by praising God’s holiness and grace. O 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 (Psalm 68:35 ^ai). God’s holiness should fill us with awe and respect. At the same time, He gives strength and help to His people. All our power comes from God, so we must give Him thanks and praise (Psalm 115:1; 2 Chronicles 20:12 ^aj).