Psalm 68:11

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:11

The Lord gave the word ,.... The word of the Gospel to his apostles. He committed the word of reconciliation to them; he intrusted them with it, as a sacred depositum; he gave gifts unto them, qualifying them for the ministration of it; he gave them a commission to preach it; and he gave them a door of utterance to speak it as it should be, and an opportunity to publish it. The Targum wrongly interprets it of the word of the law; great was the company of those that published it ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:11

Great was the company of those that published it - רב צבא המבשרות hammebasseroth tsaba rab ; "Of the female preachers there was a great host." Such is the literal translation of this passage; the reader may make of it what he pleases. Some think it refers to the women who, with music, songs, and dances, celebrated the victories of the Israelites over their enemies. But the publication of good news, or of any joyful event, belonged to the women. It was they who announced it to the people... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:11

Verse 11 11.The Lord shall give the word, etc. David now adverts to the victories by which God had signally displayed his power in behalf of his people. He had himself been the instrument of restoring peace to the country, by putting down its foes, and he had extended the boundaries of the kingdom; but he ascribes the praise of all that had been done in stratagems and counsels of war to God. In representing God as issuing orders for the song of triumph, he intimates, figuratively, that it is he... 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 68:11

The Lord gave the word. The reader naturally asks—What word? Commentators answer variously: "the watchword" (Cheyne); "promise of victory" (Kay); "the word of command" (Dean Johnson); "announcement of an actual victory gained" (Hengstenberg). I should rather understand a sort of creative word, initiating the period of strife (comp. Shakespeare's "Cry havock, and let slip the dogs of war!"). Great was the company of those that published it; literally, great was the company of the women... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:11-23

From God's mercies to his people at Sinai and in the wilderness, the psalmist goes on to consider those connected with the conquest of Canaan, and the establishment of David's widespread rule. The passage is difficult and obscure, perhaps from its embodying fragments of the earlier Hebrew poetry. It is also full of curious transitions, and of ellipses which make the meaning doubtful. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:11

The Lord gave the word - The command, or the order. It is not certain to what the psalmist here refers; whether to some particular occasion then fresh in the recollection of the people, when a great victory had been gained, which it was the design of the psalm to celebrate; or whether it is a general statement in regard to the doings of God, having reference to all his victories and triumphs, and meaning that in all cases the command came from him. The subsequent verses make it evident that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 68:11

Psalms 68:11. The Lord gave the word The matter of the word, or discourse here following. He put this triumphal song into the mouths of his people; he gave them those successes and victories which are here celebrated. Or he gave the matter or thing which was published. Having celebrated the goodness of God, which fed them in, and led them through, the wilderness, conducted them into Canaan, watered and refreshed the land with plentiful showers, and rendered it fruitful, he now proceeds... read more

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