Psalm 68:1

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 68:1-3

Psalms 68:1-3. Let God arise, &c. As God was in a peculiar manner present in the ark, and as his presence was the great security of the Israelitish nation from the dangers of the wilderness, and the power of their enemies, Moses addressed his prayer to him in these words whenever the ark was taken up for their several marches: see Numbers 10:35. And in these same words the singers began, when, at the command of David, the Levites first took up the ark on their shoulders to carry it from... read more

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