Psalm 68:1-4 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let them also that hate him flee before him. Compare the chant with which the ark set forth in the wilderness, "Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee" ( Numbers 10:35 ). Both utterances are expressions of confidence, that, whenever God arises, his enemies will be scattered and dispersed before him. Neither refers to any one special occasion. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-6

The subject of his grand hymn is The entry of God into his sanctuary on Zion. "These introductory verses contain the praise of God as the Almighty Destroyer of the wicked and the Deliverer of the just, and the exhortation to praise him as the Helper of all the miserable." I. GOD SOMETIMES SEEMS TO SIT INACTIVE , AND NOT TO INTERFERE WITH HUMAN AFFAIRS . At such times wicked men and wicked nations seem to triumph over righteous men and righteous nations, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-35

The psalm has been variously divided, but may best be considered as consisting of five portions: 1 . An introduction ( Psalms 68:1-6 ), in which God is praised on general grounds. 2 . Praise of God for his doings at Sinai and in the wilderness ( Psalms 68:7-10 ). 3 . Praise of God for the conquest of Canaan, and the series of victories terminating in the full establishment of David's rule ( Psalms 68:11-23 ). 4 . Praise of God in connection with his sanctuary ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-35

The ark and Christ. It is said that "the testimony of [or, 'concerning'] Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" ( Revelation 19:10 ). This is specially true of this psalm, it might be called a song of the ark. As Moses spake of the setting forward and resting of the ark ( Numbers 10:35 , Numbers 10:36 ), so the psalmist sings of the glorious march of Messiah at the head of his Church—onward from victory to victory—to the final rest. We may bring out much of its spiritual significance by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As clouds of smoke are dispersed and driven away by the wind, and totally disappear, so let God, whenever his enemies congregate, scatter and disperse them, and reduce them to nothingness. As wax melteth before the firs, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. As smoke vanishes, so wax entirely melts away and disappears before a hot fire (comp. Psalms 22:14 ; Psalms 97:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:3

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. When the wicked are destroyed, the righteous receive relief, and cannot but rejoice at God's goodness to them (comp. Psalms 52:6 ; Psalms 58:10 ; Psalms 64:7-10 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:3-4

Joy in God. "Let the righteous be glad," etc. The Bible, like human life, has its dark as well as bright side. Rather say, shows human life thus double-sided—half in light of happiness, knowledge, goodness; half in night of weeping. And as the earth in her path round the sun makes her own night, rolling into her own shadow; so the darkness of life results from man's turning away from God, the source of light, life, joy. No depths of sorrow so dark as those the Bible reveals. No heights of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his Name (comp. Psalms 64:4 ): extol him that rideth upon the heavens. This passage is now generally translated, Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts (Hengstenberg, Kay, Dean Johnson, Professor Cheyne, Revised Version). The image is that of a king travelling through a waste, for whom a way was made beforehand (comp. Isaiah 40:3 ; Isaiah 49:11 ). By his name Jah; rather, Jah is his Name . " Jah "—the shortened form of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:1

Let God arise - See the notes at Psalms 3:7. There is an obvious reterence here to the words used by Moses on the removal of the ark in Numbers 10:35. The same language was also employed by Solomon when the ark was removed to the temple, and deposited in the most holy place 2 Chronicles 6:41 :” Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength.” It would seem probable, therefore, that this psalm was composed on some such occasion.Let his enemies be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away - To wit, by the wind. Smoke - vapor - easily disturbed and moved by the slightest breath of air - represents an object of no stability, or having no power of resistance, and would thus represent the real weakness of the most mighty armies of men as opposed to God.So drive them away - With the same ease with which smoke is driven by the slightest breeze, so do the enemies of God disappear before his power. Compare the notes at Psalms 1:4.As wax melteth before the fire -... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:1-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:2

Group of Brands