Psalms 68:6

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 68:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Psalms 68:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 68

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

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
“setteth the solitary in families--literally, "settleth the lonely" (as wanderers) "at home." Though a general truth, there is perhaps allusion to the wandering and settlement of the Israelites. rebellious dwell in a dry land--removed from all the comforts of home.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God setteth the solitary in families - Margin, as in Hebrew, in a house. The word rendered solitary means properly one alone, as an only child; Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:12, Genesis 22:16; and then it means alone, solitary, wretched, forsaken. See the notes at Psalms 22:20. The word rendered “families” would be more literally and better translated as in the margin, houses. The idea then is, not that he constitutes families of those who were solitary and alone, but that to those who are alone in the world - who seem to have no friends - who are destitute, wretched, forsaken, he gives comfortable dwellings. Thus the idea is carried out which is expressed in the previous verse. God is the friend…”
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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
“Rebellious - Those who rebel against God. Psalms 68:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“68:6 God released Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exod 20:2; see Ps 69:33), and he still sets the prisoners free. • The sun-scorched desert represents alienation from God and separation from blessing.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God: Psa 107:10, Psa 107:41, Psa 113:9; Sa1 2:5; Gal 4:27 families: Heb. a house he bringeth: Psa 107:10, Psa 107:14, Psa 146:7; Isa 61:1; Acts 12:6-25 the rebellious: Psa 107:34, Psa 107:40; Deu 28:23, Deu 28:24; Hos 2:3; Mal 1:3 Psalms 68:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification