Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Psalms 68
Psalm 68:5-6Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Psalm 68:18You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
This key verse depicts God ascending in victory, leading captives and receiving gifts. The Apostle Paul later quotes this in Ephesians to describe Christ's ascension and His giving of spiritual gifts to the church.Psalm 68:19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
This is a beautiful expression of personal trust, reminding the worshiper that God's salvation is not a one-time event but a daily reality of being supported and carried by Him.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Battle Cry for the Divine Warrior
The psalm opens with a powerful battle cry, echoing the words spoken whenever the Ark of the Covenant was moved during Israel's wilderness journey. This immediately establishes the scene as a divine march, where God's very presence causes His enemies to scatter like smoke. It declares that where God goes, victory is inevitable and opposition cannot stand.
A Father for the Forsaken
After establishing God's power, the focus dramatically shifts to His character. The mighty warrior is also the gentle protector of the most vulnerable: the fatherless, widows, and the solitary. This section shows God's immense strength comes from His deep compassion. His victories are not for His own glory alone, but to create a safe and loving home for His people.
A Victory Parade to God's Holy Mountain
The psalm culminates in a vivid description of a grand worship procession moving toward God's sanctuary in Jerusalem. With singers, musicians, and representatives from Israel's tribes, it's a national celebration of God's kingship. This scene transforms the memory of the wilderness march into a present-day act of worship, celebrating that the God of Sinai now dwells among His people in Zion.
The Triumphant King's Procession
Psalm 68 unfolds as a majestic anthem celebrating God's power and goodness. It begins with a declaration of God's victory over His enemies and His care for the vulnerable, then moves into a historical recollection of His guidance during the Exodus. The psalm culminates in a grand procession celebrating God's presence in His sanctuary and a call for the whole world to worship Him.
The Victorious and Compassionate God (Psalm 68:1-6)
1 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!
2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
6 God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Commentary:
God's awesome power defeats evil, while His tender compassion cares for the vulnerable.
Remembering the March from Sinai (Psalm 68:7-14)
7 O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 Your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 "The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!"
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds - the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.
Commentary:
The psalm recalls God's mighty acts during the Exodus, proving His faithfulness to lead and provide for His people.
Zion: God's Chosen Dwelling (Psalm 68:15-18)
15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountains, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.
18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.
Commentary:
God chooses the humble Mount Zion as His eternal home, establishing it as the center of His victorious reign.
Praise for Salvation and Judgment (Psalm 68:19-27)
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.
20 Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."
24 Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary -
25 The singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines.
26 Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain!
27 There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
Commentary:
The people praise God for daily salvation and witness His triumphant procession into the sanctuary.
A Call for Universal Worship (Psalm 68:28-35)
28 Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you.
30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.
35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel - he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Commentary:
The psalm ends with a global call for all nations to recognize God's supreme power and join in worship.
Core Truths in a Song of Victory
God as the Divine Warrior
Psalm 68 consistently portrays God as an unconquerable warrior whose mere presence scatters His enemies. This theme is not about promoting human violence, but about affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over all forces of evil, chaos, and injustice. His victory is absolute and brings about true peace and order.
God as the Compassionate Father
In a stunning contrast to His warrior imagery, God is also depicted as the tender defender of the defenseless. He is a 'father of the fatherless and protector of widows' (v. 5). This reveals that God's power is not self-serving. It is exercised on behalf of the vulnerable and marginalized, ensuring they have a home and a provider.
The Journey of Worship
The entire psalm is structured as a procession, moving from a declaration of victory to a celebration in God's holy presence. This teaches that worship is a dynamic journey of remembering God's past faithfulness, celebrating His present reign, and joyfully entering His presence with the community of believers. It is the fitting response to God's salvation and power.
The Universal Kingship of God
While the psalm is rooted in Israel's history, its vision extends to the entire world. It calls on the 'kingdoms of the earth' to sing praises to God, anticipating a day when all nations will acknowledge His power. This theme shows that God's plan of salvation has always been global in scope.
Bringing God's Victory into Daily Life
It reminds you that the forces opposing God's will - whether injustice, fear, or personal struggles - are ultimately temporary. Like the smoke and melting wax described in verse 2, they cannot stand before God's presence. This gives you confidence to face challenges, knowing that God is fighting for righteousness and His victory is assured.
Psalm 68:5-6 calls you to mirror God's heart for the vulnerable in your own life. You can do this by actively seeking to care for the lonely, marginalized, and oppressed in your community. This might mean supporting foster care, advocating for the poor, or offering friendship and a listening ear to someone who feels isolated.
The procession in verses 24-27 shows that worship is a joyful, communal celebration of God's victory and presence. It teaches you that approaching God is a vibrant, public declaration of praise with other believers, not merely a quiet, solitary act. It involves remembering His past faithfulness and celebrating His present kingship together as a community.
The Victorious King Who Cares
Psalm 68 reveals God as the triumphant King who marches forth to establish His righteous reign. He is the unstoppable warrior who defeats evil, yet His power is perfectly matched by His compassion for the vulnerable. The message is both majestic and deeply personal: the same God who commands angelic armies and shakes the earth is the one who provides a home for the lonely and 'daily bears us up.'
What This Means for Us Today
This psalm is a powerful invitation to join God's victory parade. It calls us to move from remembering His past deeds to celebrating His present reign and anticipating His final triumph. We are invited to find our place in the procession, lifting our voices with all creation to praise the God of our salvation.
- In what area of your life do you need to see God 'arise' and bring His order and peace?
- How can you better reflect God's heart for the 'fatherless and widows' in your community this week?
- What does it look like for you to joyfully join the 'great congregation' in blessing God today?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This psalm serves as a prelude, calling for God's blessing so that all the nations of the earth might know His salvation and praise Him.
This psalm provides a stark contrast, as it is a deep lament of personal suffering, yet it still concludes with a confident hope in God's deliverance and a call to praise.
Connections Across Scripture
This verse is the historical source for the psalm's opening line, spoken by Moses whenever the Ark of the Covenant set out: 'Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered.'
The Apostle Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 and applies it to Jesus's ascension, explaining that Christ ascended to give spiritual gifts to His church.
This chapter provides the ultimate fulfillment of the 'Divine Warrior' theme, depicting Christ returning in victory to judge evil and establish His kingdom.
Discussion Questions
- Psalm 68 describes God's enemies perishing 'as wax melts before fire.' How does this powerful imagery shape your understanding of God's justice and holiness?
- The psalm moves from God's power in battle to His care for widows and orphans. Why is it important that these two aspects of God's character are presented together?
- Verse 18 speaks of God ascending on high and receiving gifts. How does the New Testament's application of this verse to Jesus's ascension change or deepen its meaning for you?
Glossary
places
Sinai
The mountain in the wilderness where God gave the Law to Moses and made a covenant with Israel.
Bashan
A fertile and mountainous region east of the Jordan River, known for its strength and often symbolizing worldly pride.
Zalmon
A mountain mentioned in the context of God's victory over enemy kings, possibly located near Shechem.
Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel and the location of Mount Zion, where God's temple was built as His earthly dwelling place.
Egypt
The powerful ancient kingdom from which God delivered the Israelites from slavery in the Exodus.
Cush
An ancient kingdom located south of Egypt, representing a distant nation that will one day worship God.