To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens (comp. Psalms 68:4 ; and for the expression "heavens of heavens," see Deuteronomy 10:14 ; 1 Kings 8:27 ). Which were of old. In which God dwelt from all eternity—long before he created the "heavens" of Genesis 1:1 . Lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice . A voice that is heard and obeyed in every part of creation. read more
Ascribe ye strength unto God; or , "might," "power"—that which makes him Shaddai, "the Almighty." His excellency is over Israel; or, "his majesty" (Kay). And his strength is in the clouds. Not in earth only, but in heaven also. read more
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places. "Terrible," i . e ; in the things that thou accomplishest out of thy holy places," as Sinai, Zion, heaven. (On the "terribleness" of God, see Deuteronomy 7:21 ; Deuteronomy 10:17 ; Job 37:22 ; Psalms 47:2 ; Psalms 66:3 , Psalms 66:5 ; Jeremiah 20:11 ; Zephaniah 2:11 ; Nehemiah 1:5 ; Nehemiah 4:14 ; Nehemiah 6:1-19 :32; Hebrew Nehemiah 12:29 .) The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people ... read more
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens - The highest heavens. The heaven of heaven would properly mean the heaven above that which is heaven to us; that is, the heaven above the sky. This is represented as the special dwelling-place of God. The Jews were accustomed to speak of three heavens:(a) The aerial heaven, or the region above us, where the birds fly, and the winds blow;(b) the starry heavens, or the firmament in which the stars are fixed; and(c) the heaven above all, the abode of... read more
Ascribe ye strength unto God - literally, “give.” That is, Acknowledge him as a God of power. Recognise his omnipotence in your worship. See the notes at Psalms 29:1.His excellency is over Israel - His majesty; his glory; his protecting care. The idea is, that his glorious character - his majesty - was manifested particularly in his protection of his people.And his strength is in the clouds - Margin, “heavens.” The Hebrew word rather means “clouds.” The idea is, that while his character as... read more
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places - The places where thou dwellest, and from which thou dost manifest thyself. That is, The manifestations which thou dost make of thyself when thou seemest to come forth from thine abode are “terrible,” or are suited to fill the mind with awe. Compare Psalms 45:4, note; Psalms 65:5, note; Psalms 66:5, note.The God of Israel - The God who is adored by Israel, or by his true people; our God.Is he that giveth strength and power unto his people - He is... read more
Psalms 68:32-33. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth Not only Egypt and Ethiopia, but other kingdoms and nations also, who shall partake of the same grace with them. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens Upon the highest heavens, his truest and best sanctuary; dwelling there in infinite glory and majesty, and from thence looking down upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and ruling them by his almighty power, and therefore most fit to be acknowledged and received by all... read more
Psalms 68:34. Ascribe ye strength unto God Acknowledge that he is mighty, and able to do whatsoever he pleaseth for his people, or against his or their enemies. His excellency is over Israel His excellent power and goodness; Hebrew, גאותו , gaavatho, his highness, or majesty; this dwells among them, and is employed for them, as occasion requires. He is indeed the universal Lord of the whole heaven and earth, but in a special and excellent manner he is the God of Israel, and his... read more
Psalms 68:35. O God, thou art terrible Hebrew, נורא , nora, venerable, yea, infinitely worthy to be both reverenced and feared. Out of thy holy places Or, sanctuaries. “Heaven was his sanctuary of old; his earthly sanctuary was in Zion: he was worthy to be feared as inhabiting both, and he is represented as going out of them, to take vengeance on the enemies of his people, and as dreadful on account of the judgments which, from thence, as the places of his dwelling, he executes on... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:28-35
The psalmist now turns to the future. First, he prays that God will complete the work which he has begun by continually strengthening Israel ( Psalms 68:28 ). Then he rises to prophecy. Kings and princes shall bring presents to Zion; empires shall prostrate themselves; Egypt and Ethiopia shall hasten to bow down; all the kingdoms of the earth shall ultimately "sing praises unto the Lord." Israel and the God of Israel will thus be glorified exceedingly. read more