Psalm 68:5-69:4

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 68:5

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God. A defender, i . e ; of the oppressed and downtrodden (comp. Isaiah 1:17 ). In his holy habitation. The heavenly and not the earthly dwelling place—whether tabernacle or temple—seems to be intended. God from his holy seat in the highest heaven pours clown his grace and mercy, his defence and protection, on all those who specially need his aid. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:5-6

Comfort for the desolate. I. EARTHLY CROSSES . What significance in the terms "fatherless" and "widows"! They tell of death, of war and pestilence and famine, of desolated homes and broken hearts and innumerable sorrows. Then in "the solitary," all the ills of life seem gathered up. II. HEAVENLY COMFORTS . It is a great comfort to believe that there is a God who made the world, and cares for the world that he has made. But there is much more here. God is represented as not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:5

A father of the fatherless - Or, of orphans. Compare Psalms 10:14, Psalms 10:18. That is, God takes the place of the parent. See Jeremiah 49:11 : “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.” This is one of the most tender appellations that could be given to God, and conveys one of the most striking descriptions that can be given of his character. We see his greatness, his majesty, his power, in the worlds that he has made - in the storm, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 68:5-6

Psalms 68:5-6. A father of the fatherless He now proceeds to mention some of the reasons for which God is to be praised. Of these this is one, that he is the patron of such as are injured and oppressed, and have not power to help themselves; is God in his holy habitation In his tabernacle, or rather, in heaven. Though he is in a peculiar manner present and dwells there, yet the eyes of his fatherly providence and care run to and fro through the earth, to observe and help his people when... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 68:1-35

Psalms 68:0 The God of IsraelThis magnificent hymn of praise and triumph was no doubt written for some special occasion. It may have been the occasion on which David brought the ark to Jerusalem (see introductory notes to Psalms 24:0), but its language makes the psalm suitable for much wider use.When God fights for his people, their enemies are as helpless before them as smoke before wind or wax before fire. Nothing can stop him as he rides out to do battle (1-4). God is on the side of the... read more

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