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Psalms 68:5

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 68:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.
Psalms 68:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 68

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.
4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.
5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.
6God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah
8The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped [rain] at the presence of God: Yon Sinai [trembled] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
← Psalms 68:4Psalms 68:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“are illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A father of the fatherless - Or, of orphans. Compare Psalms 10:14, Psalms 10:18. That is, God takes the place of the parent. See Jeremiah 49:11 : “Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.” This is one of the most tender appellations that could be given to God, and conveys one of the most striking descriptions that can be given of his character. We see his greatness, his majesty, his power, in the worlds that he has made - in the storm, the tempest, the rolling ocean; but it is in such expressions as this that we learn, what we most desire to know, and what we cannot elsewhere learn, that he is a Father; that he is to be loved as well as…”
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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
“Habitation - In heaven. Psalms 68:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“68:5 God, the Father of all marginalized and needy people, shows them compassion and protects their rights (see 10:14, 18; 69:33; 82:3). • Like his dwelling, the Lord is holy. The supreme example of the holy God coming down to rescue humanity is Jesus Christ.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“A father: Psa 10:14, Psa 10:18, Psa 82:3, Psa 82:4, Psa 146:9; Job 31:16, Job 31:17; Jer 49:11; Hos 14:3 a judge: Psa 72:2, Psa 72:4; Deu 10:18; Job 29:12, Job 29:13; Isa 1:23; Jer 5:28; Luk 18:2-7; Eph 5:1 in his: Psa 33:14; Ch2 6:2, Ch2 30:27; Isa 57:15, Isa 66:1; Act 7:48, Act 7:49 Psalms 68:6”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification