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Psalms 68:21

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 68:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.
Psalms 68:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 68

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, [among] the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell [with them].
19Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah
20God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death.
21But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.
22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring [them] again from the depths of the sea;
23That thou mayest crush [them], [dipping] thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from [thine] enemies.
24They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
← Psalms 68:20Psalms 68:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again, etc.] While the wicked live, they are scandalous; they live by borrowing, which was always reckoned mean; (see <052812>Deuteronomy 28:12,44 <202207>Proverbs 22:7); and what is worse, as they borrow, they do not design to repay; they take no care nor thought about that, but live upon what they borrow: for this either expresses their incapacity that they cannot pay; or the evil disposition of their mind, which rather seems to be the sense, that they will not pay; but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth; which not only argues capacity and ability, but a kind, merciful, and tender spirit to persons in distress, and is expressive of a generous…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“wound the head--or, "violently destroy" (Num 24:8; Psa 110:6). goeth on still in . . . trespasses--perseveringly impenitent.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But God shall wound the head of his enemies - More properly, “God shall crush the head,” etc. The idea is that of complete destruction, - as, if the head is crushed, life becomes ex tinct. See Genesis 3:15; compare Psalms 110:6. And the hairy scalp - More literally, “the top of the hair.” The Hebrew word used here for “scalp” means the vertex, the top, the crown, as of the head, where the hair “divides itself;” and the idea is properly, “the dividing of the hair.” Gesenius, Lexicon. The allusion is to the top of the head; that is, the blow would descend on the top of the head, producing death. Of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses - Of the man who perseveres in a course of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hairy - In ancient times many people used to wear long and shaggy hair, that their looks might be more terrible to their enemies. Psalms 68:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“68:21 God will smash the heads of his enemies: Cp. Gen 3:15.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God: Psa 110:6; Hab 3:13; Mar 12:4 the hairy: Psa 55:23 of such: Psa 68:18, Psa 7:12; Pro 1:24-33; Eze 18:27-30; Luk 13:5; Heb 2:1-3, Heb 12:25; Rev 2:14-16 Psalms 68:22”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 68 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification