Psalm 68

Psalm 68 belongs to Book II of the Psalms (Psalms 42–72), and its superscription identifies it as a psalm of David. Following Psalm 67, which seeks the praise of the nations, this psalm likewise closes by summoning the kingdoms of the earth to praise.

Structure

• Verses 1–3 The psalmist asks God to arise and scatter His enemies, and calls the righteous to rejoice.
• Verses 4–6 The psalmist calls for praise to the LORD, who rode through the wilderness. God is a father to the fatherless and a judge for widows, and He cares for the solitary and the prisoners.
• Verses 7–10 During the march through the wilderness, Mount Sinai shook, and God sent rain to strengthen His people.
• Verses 11–14 The psalm sings of the women who proclaim the news, fleeing kings, a dove with wings of silver, and snow on Zalmon.
• Verses 15–18 The mountains of Bashan envy the mountain where God has chosen to dwell. God's chariots number twenty thousand, even thousands of angels, and the Lord ascends on high.
• Verses 19–23 The psalmist blesses the God of salvation, who daily bears His people's burdens, and declares His word that He will strike down His enemies.
• Verses 24–27 A procession to the sanctuary is depicted. Singers, musicians, and maidens playing timbrels go along, accompanied by the princes of Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun, and Naphtali.
• Verses 28–31 Kings bring gifts to the temple at Jerusalem, and Egypt and Cush stretch out their hands to God.
• Verses 32–35 The nations are called to praise the power and majesty of Him who rides upon the heavens.

Key Verses

• Psalm 68:5 "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation." The verse confesses God as the one who cares for the weak.
• Psalm 68:18 "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men." This verse is quoted in the New Testament book of Ephesians.
• Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation." The verse celebrates the God of salvation who is present in everyday life.

People and Places

• Bashan A high, mountainous region in the north, east of the Jordan River.
• Zalmon A mountain depicted with falling snow; its exact location is uncertain.
• Cush A land south of Egypt.
• Benjamin, Judah, and Naphtali Tribes belonging to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Points for Reflection

• Verse 1 resembles the words Moses spoke when the Ark of the Covenant set out (Numbers 10:35). For this reason some interpreters connect the psalm with the procession of the ark up to Jerusalem, although the text itself does not explicitly identify that event.
• In Ephesians 4:8–10, verse 18 is applied to the ascension of Christ and His giving of gifts. The psalm says "received gifts," whereas Ephesians says "gave gifts." Proposed explanations for this difference include linking it to the Aramaic translation tradition and viewing it as Paul's interpretive application.
• Because it contains many rare words, Psalm 68 is regarded as one of the most difficult psalms to interpret, and verses such as 13 and 30 vary considerably from one translation to another.