Psalms 68 · Verse 4

Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.
Psalms 68:4, King James Version

Psalms 68:4 in other translations

BSBSing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds— His name is the LORD— and rejoice before Him.
WEBSing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him!
ASVSing 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.
YLTSing ye to God--praise His name, Raise up a highway for Him who is riding in deserts, In Jah is His name, and exult before Him.
DARBYSing unto God, sing forth his name; cast up a way for him that rideth in the deserts: his name is Jah; and rejoice before him.
BBEMake songs to God, make songs of praise to his name; make a way for him who comes through the waste lands; his name is Jah; be glad before him.
WebsterSing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

What does Psalms 68:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. extol him ... heavens--literally, "cast up for Him who rideth in the deserts," or "wilderness" (compare Psa 68:7), alluding to the poetical representation of His leading His people in the wilderness as a conqueror, before whom a way is to be prepared, or "cast up" (compare Is 40:3; 62:10). by his name JAH--or, "Jehovah," of which it is a contraction (Ex 15:3; Is 12:2) (Hebrew). name--or, "perfections" (Psa 9:10; 20:1), which--

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah - "Extol him who sitteth on the throne of glory, in the ninth heaven; Yah is his name; and rejoice before him." - Targum. בערבות baaraboth, which we render in the high heavens, is here of doubtful signification. As it comes from the root ערב arab, to mingle, (hence ereb the evening or twilight, because it appears to be formed of an equal mixture of light and darkness; the Septuagint translate it dusmwn, the west, or setting of the sun; so does the Vulgate and others); probably it may mean the gloomy desert, through which God, in the chariot of his glory, led the Israelites. If this interpretation do not please, then let it be referred to the darkness in which God is said to dwell, through which the rays of his power and love, in the various dispensations of his power and mercy, shine forth for the comfort and instruction of mankind. By his name Jah - יה Yah, probably a contraction of the word יהוה Yehovah; at least so the ancient Versions understood it. It is used but in a few places in the sacred writings. It might be translated The Self existent.

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) Verses 1-6 None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He…

Read the full comment on Psalms 68:1-6 →

Psalms 68:4 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.

שִׁ֤ירוּ\׀Shi.rusingH7891
לֵֽאלֹהִים֮le.lo.Himto GodH430
זַמְּר֪וּza.me.Rusing praises toH2167
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹshe.Moname hisH8034
סֹ֡לּוּSo.lulift upH5549
לָרֹכֵ֣בla.ro.Khevto the riderH7392
בָּ֭עֲרָבוֹתBa.'a.ra.Votin the cloudsH6160
בְּיָ֥הּbe.Yah[is] <in> YahwehH3050
שְׁמ֗וֹshe.Moname hisH8034
וְעִלְז֥וּve.'il.Zuand exultH5937
לְפָנָֽיו\׃le.fa.Nav<to> before himH6440

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 68:4

  • Deuteronomy 33:26

    There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.

  • Isaiah 12:4-6

    And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

  • Psalms 66:4

    All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

  • Psalms 104:3

    Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

  • Psalms 68:33

    To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

  • Psalms 66:2

    Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

  • Isaiah 40:3

    The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

  • Psalms 67:4

    O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

  • Psalms 18:10

    And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

  • Exodus 6:3

    And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.

  • Psalms 83:18

    That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.

  • Exodus 3:14

    And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Sing unto God.
66:4; 67:4; Isa 12:4-6
rideth.
33; 18:10; 104:3; De 33:26; Isa 19:1
his name.
Ex 3:14; 6:3,8
JAH.[Yâhh,] JAH, is an abbrevivation of [Yehôvâh,] JEHOVAH and signifies self-existence:--He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 68:3

    But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

  • Psalms 68:4

    Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

  • Psalms 68:5

    A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Read all of Psalms 68

Psalms 68:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Cantad á Dios, cantad salmos á su nombre: ensalzad al que sube sobre los cielos en JAH su nombre, y alegraos delante de él.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais les justes se réjouiront, ils exulteront en la présence de Dieu et s’égaieront avec joie.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Singet Gott, besinget seinen Namen! machet Bahn dem, der einherfährt durch die Wüsteneien, Jah ist sein Name, und frohlocket vor ihm!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Laboravi clamans, raucæ factæ sunt fauces meæ; defecerunt oculi mei, dum spero in Deum meum.