Psalms 68:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
Psalms 68:1 in other translations
| BSB | For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence. |
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| WEB | For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him. |
| ASV | For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him. |
| YLT | To the Overseer. --A Psalm, a song of David. Rise doth God--scattered are His enemies! And those hating Him flee from His face. |
| DARBY | To the chief Musician. Of David. A Psalm: a Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, and let them that hate him flee before him. |
| BBE | Let God be seen, and let his haters be put to flight; let those who are against him be turned back before him. |
| Webster | To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. |
What does Psalms 68:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 68:1-3
Psa 68:1-35. 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 Son, sustains to the Church (compare Psa 68:18).
1-3. Compare Nu 10:35; Psa 1:4; 22:14, on the figures here used. before him--as in Psa 68:2, from His presence, as dreaded; but in Psa 68:3, in His presence, as under His protection (Psa 61:7).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The psalmist calls upon God to arise, bless his people, and scatter his enemies, Psa 68:1-3; exhorts them to praise him for has greatness, tenderness, compassion, and judgments, Psa 68:4-6; describes the grandeur of his march when he went forth in the redemption of his people, Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8; how he dispensed his blessings, Psa 68:9, Psa 68:10; what he will still continue to do in their behalf, Psa 68:11-13; the ejects produced by the manifestation of God's majesty, Psa 68:14-18; he is praised for has goodness, Psa 68:19, Psa 68:20; for his judgments, Psa 68:21-23; he tells in what manner the Divine worship was conducted, Psa 68:24-27; how God is to be honored, Psa 68:28-31; all are invited to sing his praises, and extol his greatness, Psa 68:32-35. In the title of this Psalm there is nothing particular to be remarked. It is probable that this Psalm, or a part of it at least, might have been composed by Moses, to be recited when the Israelites journeyed. See Num 10:35; and that David, on the same model, constructed this Psalm. It might have been sung also in the ceremony of transporting the ark from Kirjath-jearim, to Jerusalem; or from the house of Obed-edom to the tabernacle erected at Sion. I know not how to undertake a comment on this Psalm: it is the most difficult in the whole Psalter; and I cannot help adopting the opinion of Simon De Muis: In hoc Psalmo tot ferme scopuli, tot labyrinthi, quot versus, quot verba. Non immerito crux ingeniorum, et interpretum opprobrium dici potest. "In this Psalm there are as many precipices and labyrinths as there are verses or words. It may not be improperly termed, the torture of critics, and the reproach of commentators." To attempt any thing new on it would be dangerous; and to say what has been so often said would be unsatisfactory. I am truly afraid to fall over one of those precipices, or be endlessly entangled and lost in one of these labyrinths. There are customs here referred to which I do not fully understand; there are words whose meaning I cannot, to my own satisfaction, ascertain; and allusions which are to me inexplicable. Yet of the composition itself I have the highest opinion: it is sublime beyond all comparison; it is constructed with an art truly admirable; it possesses all the dignity of the sacred language; none but David could have composed it; and, at this lapse of time, it would require no small influence of the Spirit that was upon him, to give its true interpretation. I shall subjoin a few notes, chiefly philological; and beg leave to refer the reader to those who have written profusely and laboriously on this sublime Psalm, particularly Venema, Calmet, Dr. Chandler, and the writers in the Critici Sacri. Verse 1 Let God arise - This was sung when the Levites took up the ark upon their shoulders; see Num 10:35-36 (note), and the notes there.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 68:1-6
Chapter Outline
A prayer--The greatness and goodness of God. (1-6)- The wonderful works God wrought for his people. (7-14)
- The presence of God in his church. (15-21)
- The victories of Christ. (22-28)
- Enlargement of the church. (29-31)
- The glory and grace of God. (32-35)
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 68:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 68:1
- Numbers 10:35
And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.
- Isaiah 51:9-10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
- Isaiah 42:13-14
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
- Psalms 44:26
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
- Psalms 89:10
Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
- Psalms 132:8-9
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
- Ezekiel 12:14-15
And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
- Isaiah 33:3
At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.
- Psalms 7:6-7
Arise, O Lord, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.
- John 14:23-24
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
- Psalms 68:30
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
- Psalms 68:14
When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4 An exhortation to praise God for his mercies;
7 for his care of the church;
19 for his great works.
A.M. 2962. B.C. 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.
7:6,7; 44:26; 78:65-68; 132:8,9; Nu 10:35; 2Ch 6:41; Isa 33:3
Isa 42:13,14; 51:9,10
be scattered.
14,30; 59:11; 89:10; Isa 41:15,16; Eze 5:2; 12:14,15; Da 2:35
that hate.
21:8; Ex 20:5; De 7:10; Joh 14:23,24
before him. Heb. from his face.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 68:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
- Psalms 68:2
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Psalms 68:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Al Músico principal: Salmo de David: Canción. LEVÁNTESE Dios, sean esparcidos sus enemigos, y huyan de su presencia los que le aborrecen. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Au chef de musique. De David. Psaume. Cantique. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Möge Gott aufstehen! mögen sich zerstreuen seine Feinde, und vor ihm fliehen seine Hasser! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In finem, pro iis qui commutabuntur. David. |