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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:12

Kings of armies did flee apace ,.... Or "they fled, they fled" F25 ידדון ידדון "fugiebant, fugiebant", Pagninus, Montanus; "fugerunt, fugerunt", Tigurine version, Musculus. ; or "they flee, they flee". This is either the subject matter of the word "published", the words of the publishers so saying; or the effect of the publication of the Gospel: for though some, by these kings of armies, understand the apostles either fleeing from place to place because of persecution, or running... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:13

Though ye have lain among the pots ,.... Kimchi takes these words to be the words of the women, or of the psalmist addressing the Israelites going out to war; that though they should lie in a low, dark, and disagreeable place, in the camp, in the open field, exposed to wind and weather; yet they should be fair and beautiful, and be loaded with gold and silver, the spoil of the enemy. But Fortunatus Scacchus F26 Elaeochrism. Sacr. l. 3. c. 24. refers them, much better, to the encampment... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:14

When the Almighty scattered kings in it ,.... His inheritance, his congregation, the church, Psalm 68:9 . Which some understand of his diffusing, and spreading and giving, in large numbers, ministers and preachers of the Gospel, pastors and teachers; who are kings and spiritual governors, are over churches, and have the rule over them in the Lord: and so Jarchi interprets them of the disciples of the wise men. Or they may be understood of the Lord's bringing into his churches such as are... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:12

Kings of armies did flee - Rabin and the kings of the Canaanites, who united their forces to overwhelm the Israelites. And she - Deborah the prophetess, a woman accustomed to tarry at home, and take care of the family; she divided the spoils, and vanquished their kings. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:13

Though ye have lien among the pots - The prophet is supposed here to address the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who remained in their inheritances, occupied with agricultural, maritime, and domestic affairs, when the other tribes were obliged to go against Jabin, and the other Canaanitish kings. Ye have been thus occupied, while your brethren sustained a desperate campaign; but while you are inglorious, they obtained the most splendid victory, and dwell under those rich tents which they have... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:13

Verse 13 13.Though ye should lie among the pots (25) Having spoken of God as fighting the battles of his people, he adds, by way of qualification, that they may lie for a time under darkness, though eventually God will appear for their deliverance; There can be little doubt that he hints at the state of wretchedness and distress to which the nation had been reduced under the government of Saul, for the interposition was the more remarkable, considering the misery from which it had emerged. The... read more

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