Psalm 68:1-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 68:1-6

In these verses, I. David prays that God would appear in his glory, 1. For the confusion of his enemies (Ps. 68:1, 2): ?Let God arise, as a judge to pass sentence upon them, as a general to take the field and do execution upon them; and let them be scattered, and flee before him, as unable to keep their ground, much less to make head against him. Let God arise, as the sun when he goes forth in his strength; and the children of darkness shall be scattered, as the shadows of the evening flee... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 68:7-14

The psalmist here, having occasion to give God thanks for the great things he had done for him and his people of late, takes occasion thence to praise him for what he had done for their fathers in the days of old. Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies and revive our grateful sense of them. Let it never be forgotten, I. That God himself was the guide of Israel through the wilderness; when he had brought them out of their chains he did not leave them in the dry land, but he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 68:15-21

David, having given God praise for what he had done for Israel in general, as the God of Israel (Ps. 68:8), here comes to give him praise as Zion's God in a special manner; compare Ps. 9:11. Sing praises to the Lord who dwelleth in Zion, for which reason Zion is called the hill of God. I. He compares it with the hill of Bashan and other high and fruitful hills, and prefers it before them, Ps. 68:15, 16. It is true, Zion was but little and low in comparison with them, and was not covered over... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:1

Let God arise ,.... Which, as Kimchi observes, is either by way of prayer, or by way of prophecy; and in either way the sense is the same: for, if it is considered as a prayer, it is a prayer of faith that so it would be; or, if as a prophecy, it is certain that so it should be. And this is to be understood of the same divine Person, whose chariots the angels are; who is said to be the "Adonai", or "Lord" in the midst of them; and of whom it is prophesied that he should ascend to heaven, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away ,.... This both describes the character of wicked men, Christ's enemies; as their darkness and ignorance, their will worship and superstition, and their detestableness to God, Revelation 9:2 ; and the manner of their destruction; which is as easily brought about as smoke is driven by the wind, and is as irretrievable, like smoke that vanisheth into air F15 "----et tenues fugit, ceu fumus in auras". Virgil. Aeneid. 5. prope finem. ; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:3

But let the righteous be glad ,.... At the incarnation of Christ, which is matter of joy to all people that believe in him; as did Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were both righteous, and also Simeon; and at his resurrection from the dead, since it is for their justification, by which they are denominated righteous; as did the disciples of Christ, and as do saints in all ages; who know the power of his resurrection, and the influence it has on the regeneration of their souls, the justification... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God ,.... Manifest in the flesh, risen from the dead, ascended on high, set down at the right hand of his divine Father; having exerted his great strength in their redemption; and therefore should sing the song of redeeming love, with grace and melody in their hearts, unto him; sing praises to his name : to the honour of his name Jesus, a Saviour, because of the great work of salvation wrought out by him; give him all the praise and glory of it, which due unto his name; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless ,.... In a literal sense, so as to show mercy to them, take care of then), and protect them; and this is a character which the great God often assumes, partly to express his power and providence over such, and partly to signify his tenderness, mercy, and goodness to them; and in which he should be imitated by civil magistrates, and by all good men: for it was not only a law in Israel to show regard to such, and take care not to afflict them, but it is also a branch... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:6

God setteth the solitary in families ,.... Which the Jewish writers generally understand of an increase of families, with children in lawful marriage; see Psalm 113:9 ; an instance of which we have in Abraham and Sarah; from which single or solitary ones, when joined in marriage, sprung a numerous offspring, Isaiah 51:2 . And to this sense the Targum paraphrases the words; "God is he that joins, couples single ones into a couple, as one:' some copies add, "to build an house out of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:7

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people ,.... In the pillar of cloud, and in the pillar of fire, as the Targum adds; and this divine Person was the Son of God, the Angel of his presence, in whom his name was, even his name JAH or Jehovah before mentioned; when thou didst march through the wilderness ; at the head of the Israelites, leading, guiding, and directing them; providing for them all things necessary, and protecting them against their enemies. And so Christ goes before... read more

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