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Matthew Henry

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 68:3

But let the righteous be glad ,.... At the incarnation of Christ, which is matter of joy to all people that believe in him; as did Zacharias and Elisabeth, who were both righteous, and also Simeon; and at his resurrection from the dead, since it is for their justification, by which they are denominated righteous; as did the disciples of Christ, and as do saints in all ages; who know the power of his resurrection, and the influence it has on the regeneration of their souls, the justification... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God ,.... Manifest in the flesh, risen from the dead, ascended on high, set down at the right hand of his divine Father; having exerted his great strength in their redemption; and therefore should sing the song of redeeming love, with grace and melody in their hearts, unto him; sing praises to his name : to the honour of his name Jesus, a Saviour, because of the great work of salvation wrought out by him; give him all the praise and glory of it, which due unto his name; ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless ,.... In a literal sense, so as to show mercy to them, take care of then), and protect them; and this is a character which the great God often assumes, partly to express his power and providence over such, and partly to signify his tenderness, mercy, and goodness to them; and in which he should be imitated by civil magistrates, and by all good men: for it was not only a law in Israel to show regard to such, and take care not to afflict them, but it is also a branch... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:6

God setteth the solitary in families ,.... Which the Jewish writers generally understand of an increase of families, with children in lawful marriage; see Psalm 113:9 ; an instance of which we have in Abraham and Sarah; from which single or solitary ones, when joined in marriage, sprung a numerous offspring, Isaiah 51:2 . And to this sense the Targum paraphrases the words; "God is he that joins, couples single ones into a couple, as one:' some copies add, "to build an house out of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:4

Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah - " Extol him who sitteth on the throne of glory, in the ninth heaven; Yah is his name; and rejoice before him." - Targum. בערבות baaraboth , which we render in the high heavens, is here of doubtful signification. As it comes from the root ערב arab , to mingle, (hence ereb the evening or twilight, because it appears to be formed of an equal mixture of light and darkness; the Septuagint translate it dusmwn, the west, or setting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:6

The solitary in families - יחדים yechidim , the single persons. Is not the meaning, God is the Author of marriage; and children, the legal fruit of it, are an inheritance from him? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:3

Verse 3 3But the righteous shall be glad It is here intimated by David, that when God shows himself formidable to the wicked, this is with the design of securing the deliverance of his Church. He would seem indirectly to contrast the joy of which he now speaks with the depression and grief felt by well affected men under the reign of Saul — suggesting, that God succeeds a season of temporary trouble with returns of comfort, to prevent his people from being overwhelmed by despondency. He leaves... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 68:4

Verse 4 4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: exalt him (12) that rideth, etc. He now proceeds to call upon the Lord’s people to praise God. And he begins by pointing out the grounds in general, as I have already hinted, which they have for this exercise, because he comprehends the whole world under his power and government, adding, that he condescends to take the poorest and the most wretched of our family under his protection. His infinite power is commended, when it is said that he rides... 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

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