Psalm 68:8

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 68:8

The earth shook ,.... Not only about Sinai, but in other places; see Psalm 114:1 . It may also design the dread and trembling of the inhabitants of the earth, when they heard of the wonderful things God did for his people, Exodus 15:14 ; the heavens also dropped at the presence of God ; the Targum supplies, dew; to which may be added, quails and manna: though it rather seems to design a large shower of rain, which followed the lightning and thunder, when the law was given; even ... 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 68:7-10

In the central portion of the psalm, from Psalms 68:7 to Psalms 68:28 , God is praised for his doings in connection with the history of Israel; and, first of all, in the present passage, for his doings at Sinai and in the wilderness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 68:8

The earth shook, the heavens also dropped, at the presence of God (see Exodus 19:16-18 ; Deuteronomy 5:22 , Deuteronomy 5:23 ). The "dropping" of the heavens was the descent of a thick thundercloud upon the mount, which rested upon it, and spread around a dense and weird darkness. Even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God; literally, yonder Sinai, as if it were in sight, and could be pointed at. The God of Israel . Our God, who did all these great things for us . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 68:8

The earth shook - See Exodus 19:16-18.The heavens also dropped at the presence of God - That is, dropped down rain and food. The idea is that the very heavens seemed to be shaken or convulsed, so that rain and food were shaken down - as ripe fruit falls from a tree that is shaken. Compare the notes at Isaiah 34:4. So also, Isaiah 64:1-3. The meaning is not that the heavens themselves dropped down, but that they dropped or distilled rain and food.Even Sinai itself was moved - This was true; but... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 68:7-8

Psalms 68:7-8. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people In the cloudy pillar, as their captain, leading them out of Egypt; the earth shook Or, trembled, that is, either the inhabitants of those parts of the earth, according to Exodus 15:14; or the earth itself, through an earthquake, as a token of God’s dreadful presence, as seems to be intimated, Psalms 114:5-7. The heavens also dropped Dissolved into showers, as the consequence of those mighty thunders and lightnings, which... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 68:8

dropped: i.e. dropped [moisture]. read more

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