Psalms Chapter 68

“Let God arise, etc.] Which, as Kimchi observes, is either by way of prayer, or by way of prophecy; and in either way the sense is the same: for, if it is considered as a prayer, it is a prayer of faith that so it would be; or, if as a prophecy, it is certain that so it should be. And this is to be understood of the same divine Person, whose chariots the angels are; who is said to be the “Adonai”, or “Lord” in the midst of them; and of whom it is prophesied that he should ascend to heaven, (<196817>Psalm 68:17,18); even the Messiah, who is God over all. And this “arising”, attributed to him, may be interpreted…”

“This is a Psalm-song (see on Psa 30:1, title), perhaps suggested by David's victories, which secured his throne and gave rest to the nation. In general terms, the judgment of God on the wicked, and the equity and goodness of His government to the pious, are celebrated. The sentiment is illustrated by examples of God's dealings, cited from the Jewish history and related in highly poetical terms. Hence the writer intimates an expectation of equal and even greater triumphs and summons all nations to unite in praises of the God of Israel. The Psalm is evidently typical of the relation which God, in the person of His…”

“Let God arise - See the notes at Psalms 3:7. There is an obvious reterence here to the words used by Moses on the removal of the ark in Numbers 10:35. The same language was also employed by Solomon when the ark was removed to the temple, and deposited in the most holy place 2 Chronicles 6:41 :” Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength.” It would seem probable, therefore, that this psalm was composed on some such occasion. Let his enemies be scattered - So in Numbers 10:35 : “Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before…”

“Jah - Is an abbreviation of the name Jehovah, which the Heathens pronounced Jao. Before him - Before the ark where he is present, as David is said to dance before the Lord, upon this occasion, Sa2 6:14. Psalms 68:5”

“Ps 68 This prayer for God’s victorious rule traces God’s march from Sinai to Zion (68:7, 16-18, 24). He rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, guided it through the wilderness, brought it into the Promised Land, and established his kingdom. He is a caring and victorious God, whose nature is unchanging. Therefore, the godly hope and rejoice in the prospect of God’s universal dominion. 68:1-3 These verses form a prayer for God to rise up and scatter his enemies, as he did when Israel entered the Promised Land (cp. Num 10:35-36; Josh 6–12).”

“am 2962, bc 1042 (Title), This magnificent and truly sublime ode is supposed, with much probability, to have been composed by David, and sung at the removal of the ark from Kirjath-jearim. God arise: Psa 7:6, Psa 7:7, Psa 44:26, Psa 78:65-68, Psa 132:8, Psa 132:9; Num 10:35; Ch2 6:41; Isa 33:3; Isa 42:13, Isa 42:14, Isa 51:9, Isa 51:10 be scattered: Psa 68:14, Psa 68:30, Psa 59:11, Psa 89:10; Isa 41:15, Isa 41:16; Eze 5:2, Eze 12:14, Eze 12:15; Dan 2:35 that hate: Psa 21:8; Exo 20:5; Deu 7:10; Joh 14:23, Joh 14:24 before him: Heb. from his face Psalms 68:2”

“The Psalm begins with the expression of a wish that the victory of God over all His foes and the triumphant exultation of the righteous were near at hand. Ewald and Hitzig take יקום אלהים hypothetically: If God arise, He enemies will be scattered. This rendering is possible in itself so far as the syntax is concerned, but here everything conspires against it; for the futures in Psa 68:2-4 form an unbroken chain; then a glance at the course of the Psalm from Psa 68:20 onwards shows that the circumstances of Israel, under which the poet writes, urged forth the wish: let God arise and humble His foes; and finally…”