Psalm 68 Study Notes

68:1-2 The image of the Lord as a warrior fighting against the enemies of Israel, who scatter at his presence is similar to Ps 18. Smoke represents something insignificant that can easily be blown away (see note at 37:20). Melting wax recalls the image of Israel’s enemies in the conquest of Canaan (Dt 20:8; Jos 2:11; 7:5).

68:3 When God’s judgment begins, the righteous have nothing to fear.

68:4 That it is the Lord who rides on the clouds overturns the common mythic imageries of Baal, the storm god of the Canaanites (19:1; 104:3; see note at 18:7-15).

68:5-6 Fatherless (see note at 10:12-15) and widows represented the weakest and most vulnerable members of society who were often the most oppressed (94:6). The Lord himself took on the role of their defender (Dt 10:18).

68:7-8 Went out before your people perhaps alludes to the pillars of cloud and fire that led them in the desert (Ex 13:21) or to the ark of the covenant (Nm 10:35; Jos 3:14).

68:9-10 Rain is especially significant as that which allows crops to grow and feeds the people (see note at 65:9-10).

68:11-12 The women praise the Lord for the spoils of war brought back by their husbands.

68:13 The image of a dove covered with silver and gold is especially difficult to interpret. Suggestions include prosperity, the glory of the Lord, plunder taken from enemies, and the women of vv. 11-12 dressed in fine garments that were part of the plunder. Perhaps this last suggestion fits the context best, although it is uncertain.

68:14 Zalmon as a mountain is only mentioned one other place in the Bible (Jdg 9:48), but it is uncertain how snow relates to it here. It might be a reference to the scattered kings being tormented by bad weather from God.

68:15-16 Mount Bashan probably refers to the highest mountain in the region (Mount Hermon). God’s choice of the much smaller Zion made the higher mountains envious.

68:17 The repetition of thousands indicates that the armies under God’s control cannot be counted (see note at 20:7-8).

68:18 This verse is quoted in Eph 4:8. The heights probably refers here to Mount Zion, where God would dwell in triumph. But the apostle Paul saw a greater ascent in these words.

68:19-20 These words speak of a God who continually bears our burdens and then delivers us from death.

68:21 Hairy brow may refer to the ancient practice of wearing one’s hair long as a symbol of power over others during a time of military campaigns. The biblical connections are the Nazirite vow (Nm 6:1-5) and the story of Samson (Jdg 13-16).

68:22-23 Bring them back is probably a reference to returning with enemies rather than the restoration of Israel, as some suggest. The enemies are brought to be executed (see note at 58:10).

68:24-26 This procession pictures the grand array of a king returning from battle. In this case it is the Lord, the great King of Israel.

68:27 Benjamin, the youngest of Jacob’s sons, is leading the procession. One interpretation is that this refers to Benjamin’s dominion over the other tribes during Saul’s reign, though it is difficult to say whether this psalm was written during that time. Another option is that Benjamin represents Jerusalem since it was technically in that tribe’s territory. The southern kingdom was often called “Judah and Benjamin” (2Ch 11:1), and Zebulun and Naphtali might represent the north (1Ch 12:40). Perhaps the best option is that this procession mimics an earlier military campaign when Israel went to war against Sisera (Jdg 5:14).

68:28 The first line is addressed to Israel, and the prayer echoes God’s decree.

68:29 Dominion over other peoples was often connected with the bringing of tribute to the dominant power. The dominion of God and his people over the other nations is part of the eschatological hope (see note at 22:27-31). Note also 68:31.

68:30 The beast in the reeds is perhaps a reference to Egypt (v. 31; Ezk 32:2), one of the greatest world powers of that time.

68:31 Stretching out hands is similar to spreading out one’s hands in the context of worship (see note at 44:20), but in this case it probably pertains more to paying homage than to worshiping.

68:32-35 Rides in the . . . heavens along with the reference to clouds recalls the imagery of v. 4.