Psalms 68:30 - Exposition

Rebuke the company of spear men; rather, the wild beast of the reeds ; i . e . the crocodile or the hippopotamus, either of which may well symbolize the empire of Egypt, the mightiest of the heathen powers in David's time. The multitude of the bulls represents other heathen powers, Assyria perhaps especially, which had the human-headed and winged bull for its principal emblem. With the calves of the people; rather, of peoples— an obscure phrase, perhaps meaning inferior powers. Till every one submit himself with pieces of silver; literally, (each) submitting himself to thee with pieces of silver . This is given as the result of the rebukes. When the various earth powers have been "rebuked" or chastised by God, then they will submit to bring gifts, or pay tribute, to Israel (comp. Psalms 68:18 ). Scatter thou the people that delight in war. This is exegetical of the first clause—rebuke these various world powers that delight in war by "scattering" them, or putting them to flight before their enemies.