Psalms 68

Psalms 68

The big picture

Psalms 68 opens in verse 1 with “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 18 with “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts…”, and closes in verse 35 with “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, hill, people, dwell, heavens. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

Psalms · King James Version · 35

Psalms 68:1-7

1–7: Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him…

Psalms 68:1–7 opens with “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” and reaches “O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by rejoice, name, sing.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

Psalms 68:1-7

King James Version

1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah , and rejoice before him.

5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

Psalms 68:8-14

8–14: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even…

Psalms 68:8–14 opens with “The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at…” and reaches “When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by didst, kings, presence.

Context that brings the passage to life

“The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Psalms 68:8-14

King James Version

8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

Psalms 68:15-21

15–21: The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of…

Psalms 68:15–21 opens with “The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.” and reaches “But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by hill, LORD, dwell.

Context that brings the passage to life

This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.

“The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.” Naming Bashan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Psalms 68:15-21

King James Version

15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

Psalms 68:22-28

22–28: The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people…

Psalms 68:22–28 opens with “The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of…” and reaches “Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by princes, goings, Lord.

Context that brings the passage to life

“The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:” Naming Bashan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

Psalms 68:22-28

King James Version

22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

Psalms 68:29-35

29–35: Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

Psalms 68:29–35 opens with “Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.” and reaches “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by people, strength, heavens.

Context that brings the passage to life

“Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

Psalms 68:29-35

King James Version

29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Details worth noticing

35verses in this reading
5major movements
1verses with speech
1questions in the KJV text

The opening image

Psalms 68:1 begins with “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.”

Where the chapter turns

Psalms 68:16 forms a natural hinge: “Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.”

The final note

Psalms 68:35 leaves the reader with “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.”

A word trail through the chapter

The words LORD, hill, people, dwell, heavens, Israel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.

KJV words made clear

unto
to
thee
you
thou
you
thy
your
hath
has

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.