Psalms

Chapter 68

God’s Enemies Are Scattered

This sweeping psalm celebrates God's victorious presence from the scattering of enemies to the rejoicing of the righteous, from the wilderness march to the sanctuary procession, and from the care of the vulnerable to the homage of kings. David praises the God who rides forth before his people, establishes a dwelling for the lonely, defeats opposing powers, ascends in triumph, daily bears his people, and turns his temple in Jerusalem into the center of worldwide acknowledgment. The psalm ends with a final summons for the kingdoms of the earth to sing to the God whose majesty is over Israel and whose strength is given to his people.

Psalm 68 is one of the Psalter's grand processional hymns, binding together exodus memory, conquest victory, Zion theology, royal triumph, and universal praise. It portrays God's rule as both martial and merciful: he scatters the wicked, shelters the weak, leads his people, and draws the nations toward the sanctuary where his power and glory are displayed.

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Psalms 68

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vv. 1-35

God’s Enemies Are Scattered

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F¹or the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. ²As smoke is blown away, ³But the righteous will be glad ⁴Sing to God! ⁵A father of the fatherless ⁶God settles the lonely in families;

⁷O God, when You went out before Your people, ⁸the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain ⁹You sent abundant rain, O God; ¹⁰Your flock settled therein; ¹¹The Lord gives the command; ¹²“Kings and their armies flee in haste; ¹³Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, ¹⁴When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,

¹⁵A mountain of God is Mount Bashan; ¹⁶Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? ¹⁷The chariots of God are tens of thousands — ¹⁸You have ascended on high; ¹⁹Blessed be the Lord, ²⁰Our God is a God of deliverance;

²¹Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, ²²The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan, ²³that your foot may be dipped ²⁴They have seen Your procession, O God — ²⁵The singers lead the way, ²⁶Bless God in the great congregation; ²⁷There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,

²⁸Summon Your power, O God; ²⁹Because of Your temple at Jerusalem ³⁰Rebuke the beast in the reeds, ³¹Envoys will arrive from Egypt; ³²Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; ³³to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; ³⁴Ascribe the power to God, ³⁵O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary;

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01vv. 1-35God’s Enemies Are ScatteredThe psalm opens by asking God to arise so that enemies melt away while the righteous rejoice before him, and it praises him as the rider through the deserts who defends the fatherless and settles the lonely. It remembers his march from Sinai, his provision in the wilderness, and his victories over kings. From there it celebrates God's chosen dwelling on Zion, his ascension in triumph, and his ongoing burden-bearing salvation. The final movement pictures the divine procession into the sanctuary and calls for God to display strength until nations bring tribute and all kingdoms sing to the Lord.