Psalm 68:1-4

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:1

Let God arise - This was sung when the Levites took up the ark upon their shoulders; see Numbers 10:35-36 ; (note), and the notes there. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:4

Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah - " Extol him who sitteth on the throne of glory, in the ninth heaven; Yah is his name; and rejoice before him." - Targum. בערבות baaraboth , which we render in the high heavens, is here of doubtful signification. As it comes from the root ערב arab , to mingle, (hence ereb the evening or twilight, because it appears to be formed of an equal mixture of light and darkness; the Septuagint translate it dusmwn, the west, or setting... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:1

Verse 1 1.God shall arise: his enemies shall be scattered In this verse the Psalmist intimates, as it were by way of preface, the subject which he proposed to treat in the psalm, and which related to the truth that God, however long he may seem to connive at the audacity and cruelty of the enemies of his Church, will eventually arise to avenge it, and will prove himself able to protect it by the mere forth-putting of his hand. I agree with other interpreters in thinking that the sentiment is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:3

Verse 3 3But the righteous shall be glad It is here intimated by David, that when God shows himself formidable to the wicked, this is with the design of securing the deliverance of his Church. He would seem indirectly to contrast the joy of which he now speaks with the depression and grief felt by well affected men under the reign of Saul — suggesting, that God succeeds a season of temporary trouble with returns of comfort, to prevent his people from being overwhelmed by despondency. He leaves... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:4

Verse 4 4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: exalt him (12) that rideth, etc. He now proceeds to call upon the Lord’s people to praise God. And he begins by pointing out the grounds in general, as I have already hinted, which they have for this exercise, because he comprehends the whole world under his power and government, adding, that he condescends to take the poorest and the most wretched of our family under his protection. His infinite power is commended, when it is said that he rides... read more

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