Psalms 68:27

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 68:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah [and] their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah [and] their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
Psalms 68:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 68

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah [and] their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Depart from evil, and do good, etc.] Depart from evildoers, and their evil ways; join not with them, nor fret and be envious at them; but do acts of beneficence, and all good works; since righteous men, and their seed, are not forsaken, but blessed of God; (see Gill on “<193414>Psalm 34:14”); and dwell for evermore; or “thou shalt dwell for evermore” f530; (see <193703>”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There is little Benjamin - In that solemn procession. That is, the tribe of Benjamin is “represented” there; or, there are in the procession those who are connected with that tribe. The name “little” is given to the tribe either because Benjamin was the youngest of the sons of Jacob, or, more probably, because that tribe was among the smallest of the tribes of Israel. In fact, the tribe was so small, as compared with that of Judah, for instance, that, after the revolt of the ten tribes, the name of Benjamin was lost, and the whole nation was called, after the tribe of Judah, “Jews.” With their ruler - The word “with” is not in the original. The Hebrew is literally “ruling them.” This would…”
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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
“There is - Present in this solemn pomp of carrying the ark to Zion. Little - Called little, because it was exceedingly diminished, and almost extinguished under the Judges, Jdg 20:35, Jdg 21:3 &c. Ruler - The tribe which had lately swayed the scepter, but now submitted to David. Company - The people of that tribe who waited upon them. Zebulun, &c. - He mentions these tribes, because they lived in the remotest parts of the land of Canaan. And so by naming two of the nearest tribes, and two of the farthest, he intimates that the other tribes also came upon this occasion, as is manifest from Sa2 6:15-19. Psalms 68:28”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“little: Gen 42:32; Jdg 20:35, 21:6-25; Sa1 9:21; Ch1 12:16, Ch1 12:29, Ch1 15:3, Ch1 27:12 princes: Psa 47:9, Psa 60:7; Isa 11:13; Eze 37:19-27 and their council: or, with their company Psalms 68:28”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification