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Psalms 68
Psalms 68:1
General Information:
Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-poetry and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
For the chief musician
"This is for the director of music to use in worship"
A psalm of David
Possible meanings are 1) David wrote the psalm or 2) the psalm is about David or 3) the psalm is in the style of David's psalms.
Let God arise
God beginning to act is spoke of as if he stands up. Alternate translation: "Let God begin to act" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
let his enemies be scattered
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "let God chase away his enemies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Psalms 68:2
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away
God's enemies are spoken of as if they are smoke that is easily blown away by the wind. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Drive them away as the wind blows away smoke" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
as wax melts before the fire
God's enemies are spoken of as if they are wax that is easily melted by a fire. Alternate translation: "cause them to disappear as wax melts before a fire" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the wicked
This refers to the wicked people in general. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
Psalms 68:3
the righteous
This refers to the righteous people in general. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
rejoice and be happy
These means the same thing and emphasizes the amount of joy they feel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Psalms 68:4
to his name
This refers to God. Alternate translation: "to him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the one who rides through the plains
God's presence among people is spoken of as if he rides on the earth in a horse or chariot. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:5
A father of the fatherless
God is spoken of as a compassionate God who acts like a father to orphans. Alternate translation: "One who acts like a father to children who have no parents" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
a judge of the widows
God is spoken of as a merciful God who protects widows. Alternate translation: "a protector of widows" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:6
God puts the lonely into families
God is spoken of as if he places lonely people into families. "God provides families for those who have no one to live with" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
he brings out the prisoners with singing
God is spoken of as the one who leads prisoners out of their confinement. Alternate translation: "God frees prisoners and makes them sing with happiness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the rebellious
This nominal adjective refers to rebellious people and can be translated with either an adjective or a noun. Alternate translation: "rebellious people" or "people who rebel against him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
a parched land
God's punishment of the rebellious is spoken of as if he forces them to live in a hot desert land. Alternate translation: "a very hot and dry land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:7
General Information:
David begins to tell the story of God leading the Israelites through the desert to Mt. Sinai.
when you went out ... when you marched through
These two phrases refer to the same event. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
you went out before your people
"you led your people"
when you marched through the wilderness
God is spoken of as if he was a soldier marching ahead of the people of Israel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:8
the heavens also dropped rain ... God's presence
"God caused it to rain"
in the presence of God
This idiom here refers to God's appearance before the Israelites. Alternate translation: "when God appeared to the Israelites" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Psalms 68:9
you strengthened your inheritance when it was weary
The land of Israel is spoken of as if it was a person who could be weary, or could gain strength. Alternate translation: "you caused the land to produce good crops" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
your inheritance
The land that God gave to the Israelites is spoken of as if it was an inheritance that a father passed on to his children. Alternate translation: "the land that you gave to us Israelites" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:10
the poor
This refers to poor people in general. Alternate translation: "poor people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
Psalms 68:11
General Information:
David continues the story of the journey of the Israelites through the desert. In this part of the story, the Israelites are victorious in war over their enemies.
those who announced them ... army
The large number of people told the Lord's message to others. They are spoken of as if there were a large army. Since this phrase is feminine, some versions translate it as, "the women who announced them ... army." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:12
Kings of armies flee, they flee
The kings represent themselves and their entire armies. It is understood that they flee because they are defeated by Israel's army. Alternate translation: "Kings and their armies flee from us because they are defeated" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
plunder
things that are taken from the defeated army and brought to the victorious army's home.
Psalms 68:13
the wings of a dove are covered with silver ... gold
This means that some of the plunder is very valuable because it is covered with precious metals.
Psalms 68:14
scattered kings there ... snowed on Mount Zalmon
There were so many dead kings and soldiers on the mountain that they are spoken of as if they were snow covering the mountain. Alternate translation: "defeated so many enemy kings and soldiers there that they were like snowflakes covering Mount Zalmon" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
scattered kings
Here "kings" refers to their armies as well. Alternate translation: "scattered the enemy kings and their armies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Mount Zalmon
This is the name of a mountain. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Psalms 68:15
A mighty mountain is the ... a high mountain is the
These two phrase have similar meanings and are used together to strengthen each other. Alternate translation: "a mighty and high mountain is the hill country of Bashan" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Psalms 68:16
Why do you look in envy ... for the place he will live?
This question can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "The high hill country of Bashan should not look in envy at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Psalms 68:17
twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands
This is probably not meant to be an exact number, but to indicate a large number. Alternate translation: "many thousands" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
Psalms 68:18
ascended
To "ascend" is to to move up, to go toward the sky.
Psalms 68:19
daily bears our burdens
"carries our heavy loads every day." The Lord's care for his people is spoken of as if he was physically carrying their troubles as a burden. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the God who is our salvation
The words "is our salvation" can be translated with the verb "save." Alternate translation: "the God who saves us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Psalms 68:20
General Information:
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Psalms 68:21
will strike through the heads of his enemies
God is spoken of as a warrior who will kill his enemies by striking them in their heads in order to kill them. Alternate translation: "will kill his enemies by striking them in the head" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the hairy scalps
It seems to have been the custom for soldiers not to cut their hair during the time of war. Alternate translation: "the long-haired skulls" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
walk in offenses against him
Offending God is spoken of as walking among the offenses. Alternate translation: "habitually offend him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:22
I will bring them back
The word "them" refers to God's enemies.
the depths of the sea
This speaks of the most remote parts of the earth where people might try to escape from God as if they were the depths of the sea. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:23
crush your enemies
The total destruction of Israel's enemies is spoken of as if the Israelites had crushed them under their feet. Alternate translation: "totally defeat your enemies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
dipping your foot in blood
The violence of from the destruction of the enemies is spoke of in very graphic form, as if the Israelites would be standing in the blood of their dead enemies. Alternate translation: "stepping in their blood" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the tongues of your dogs may have their share
The bloodshed from the battle against Israel's enemies is spoken of as if it is so extensive that the dogs will lap up the flowing blood with their tongues. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 68:24
processions
A procession is a group of people walking together in an orderly manner as part of a ceremony.
Psalms 68:25
minstrels
people who play musical instruments
Psalms 68:26
Bless God in the assemblies; praise Yahweh, you who are from the fountain of Israel
It may be helpful to change the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: "You who are from the fountain of Israel, praise Yahweh and bless God in the assembly"
from the fountain of Israel
The word "fountain" is a metaphor for the ability of the man Israel to be the ancestor of many people: as much water comes from a fountain, so Israel is the ancestor of many people. This also implies that the call is to those who serve God as the man Israel did. Alternate translation: "true descendants of Israel" or "all of you descendants from Israel"(See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Psalms 68:27
their multitudes
"their group." The word "their" refers to the leaders of Judah.
Psalms 68:28
Your God, Israel, has decreed your strength
Some versions understand the Hebrew text differently: "Summon your strength, God" or "Use your strength, God"
Your God, Israel, has decreed
"People of Israel, your God has decreed"
to us
The word "us" refers to the writer and the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh, to whom he is speaking. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Psalms 68:29
to us
The word "us" refers to the writer and the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh, to whom he is speaking. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
Reveal your power to us from your temple at Jerusalem
"When you are present in the temple at Jerusalem, show us your power"
Reveal your power
The abstract noun "power" can be stated as "strong." Alternate translation: "Show us that you are strong" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Psalms 68:30
the wild beasts in the reeds
Many scholars believe these wild beasts are a metaphor that refers to the people of Egypt. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "the people of Egypt who are like wild beasts in the reeds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the peoples, that multitude of bulls and calves
The peoples of other nations are spoken of as if they were a large group of cattle. Alternate translation: "the powerful nations, who are like herds of bulls" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
scatter
to disperse or to cause something to spread quickly in different direction
Psalms 68:31
Princes will come out of Egypt
It is implied that these princes come from Egypt in order to offer gifts to God in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "Then the leaders of Egypt will bring gifts to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Cush
This refers to the people of Cush. Alternate translation: "The Cushites" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
reach out with her hands to God
This is a symbolic action that represents worship to God. Alternate translation: "lift up her hands to praise God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Psalms 68:32
you kingdoms of the earth
Here "kingdoms" refers to the citizens of the kingdoms. Alternate translation: "you people who are citizens of kingdoms all over the world" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Psalms 68:33
to him who rides on the heaven of heavens
These words further describe Yahweh verse 32 as if he rides in a chariot in the sky. Alternate translation: "to Yahweh, who rides across the sky in his chariot" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
he lifts up his voice with power
This idiom means he speaks powerfully. Alternate translation: "he shouts powerfully" or "he speaks loudly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Psalms 68:34
Ascribe strength to God
"Ascribe" means to give credit to someone. Alternate translation: "Strength belongs to God"
his strength is in the skies
The abstract noun "strength" can be stated as "powerful." Alternate translation: "in the skies he also shows that he is powerful" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Psalms 68:35
God, you are fearsome in your holy place
Here the author speaks directly to God. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-apostrophe)
strength and power
These two words mean basically these same thing. They emphasize how much strength God provides to his people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)