Psalms 68

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song.

Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.

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

But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him!

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

God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah.

The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary.

Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.

The Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company.

“Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,

while you sleep among the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.

When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.

The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.

Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.

The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary.

You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among people, yes, among the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah.

God is to us a God of deliverance. To GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death.

But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.

The Lord said, “I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea,

that you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, among the ladies playing with tambourines,

“Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!”

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

Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.

Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.

Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot the bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord—Selah—

to him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.

Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies.

You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This psalm celebrates God’s victorious kingship as he leads his people, defeats his enemies, and establishes his dwelling among them. It moves from a call for divine judgment on the wicked to joyful praise for God’s provision, protection, and universal reign, drawing especially on the imagery of the exodus and the establishment of Zion as the place of God’s presence.

Flow.

The psalm opens with a battle cry: God rising in power to scatter his enemies and bring joy to the righteous.
It recalls God’s mighty presence in the wilderness, his care for the vulnerable, and his deliverance of his people into inheritance.
The scene shifts to divine triumph—God ascending to Zion, receiving tribute, and being processionally welcomed into the sanctuary.
It concludes with a universal call for all kingdoms to praise God, whose sovereign strength is displayed in nature and history.

Connections. Following chapter 67, which prays for God’s blessing to reach all nations, Psalm 68 shows how that blessing unfolds through God’s mighty acts in history, culminating in his reign from Zion. Where chapter 67 focuses on mercy and global worship, chapter 68 emphasizes power, divine warfare, and covenant faithfulness. The triumphant tone prepares for chapter 69, a lament that personalizes the suffering of one closely identified with God’s cause, showing that victory includes both divine ascension and costly obedience.

What it teaches. The psalm reveals God as a powerful defender of the defenseless (WCF 4.6) and a victorious king who leads his people with steadfast love (HC LD 10). His ascension (v. 18) signifies both triumph over evil and the provision of spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:8–10), prefiguring Christ’s victory (HC LD 17). God’s care for the fatherless, widows, and prisoners reflects his covenant character (BC Art. 26), and his sanctuary presence fulfills his promise to dwell among his people (WCF 7.6). The final call for universal praise aligns with the creeds’ affirmation of Christ’s dominion (Nicene Creed: “He shall come again with glory to judge…”).

Apply. The ascended King gives gifts for building up his people and sends them forth in confidence, not by might but by his Spirit.

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