@Ps 68:1-35. This is a Psalm-song (see on Ps 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 @Ps 68:18).
1-3. Compare @Nu 10:35 Ps 1:4 22:14, on the figures here used.
before him--as in @Ps 68:2, from His presence, as dreaded;
but in @Ps 68:3, in His presence, as under His protection
(@Ps 61:7).
3. the righteous--all truly pious, whether of Israel or not.
4. extol him . . . heavens--literally, "cast up for Him who rideth
in the deserts," or "wilderness" (compare @Ps 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 @Isa 40:3 62:10).
by his name JAH--or, "Jehovah," of which it is a contraction
(@Ex 15:3 Isa 12:2) (Hebrew).
name--or, "perfections" (@Ps 9:10 20:1), which--
5, 6. are illustrated by the protection to the helpless, vindication of the innocent, and punishment of rebels, ascribed to Him.
6. 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.
7, 8. (Compare @Ex 19:16-18).
thou wentest--in the pillar of fire.
thou didst march--literally, "in Thy tread," Thy majestic movement.
8. even Sinai itself--literally, "that Sinai," as in @Jud 5:5.
9, 10. a plentiful rain--a rain of gifts, as manna and quails.
10. Thy congregation--literally, "troop," as in
@2Sa 23:11,13--the military aspect of the people being
prominent, according to the figures of the context.
therein--that is, in the land of promise.
the poor--Thy humble people (@Ps 68:9; compare
@Ps 10:17 12:5).
11. gave the word--that is, of triumph.
company--or, choir of females, celebrating victory
(@Ex 15:20).
12. Kings of armies--that is, with their armies.
she that . . . at home--Mostly women so remained, and the ease of
victory appears in that such, without danger, quietly enjoyed the
spoils.
13. Some translate this, "When ye shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies in the times of the judges; or, taking the whole figuratively, the rows of stones on which cooking vessels were hung; and thus that a contrast is drawn between their former low and afflicted state and their succeeding prosperity. In either case, a state of quiet and peace is described by a beautiful figure.
14. Their enemies dispersed, the contrast of their prosperity with their former distress is represented by that of the snow with the dark and somber shades of Salmon.
15, 16. Mountains are often symbols of nations (@Ps 46:2 65:6). That of Bashan, northeast of Palestine, denotes a heathen nation, which is described as a "hill of God," or a great hill. Such are represented as envious of the hill (Zion) on which God resides;
17. and, to the assertion of God's purpose to make it His dwelling,
is added evidence of His protecting care. He is described as in the
midst of His heavenly armies--
thousands of angels--literally, "thousands of repetitions," or,
"thousands of thousands"--that is, of chariots. The word "angels" was
perhaps introduced in our version, from @De 33:2, and @Ga 3:19.
They are, of course, implied as conductors of the chariots.
as . . . Sinai, in the holy place--that is, He has appeared in Zion
as once in Sinai.
18. From the scene of conquest He ascends to His throne, leading--
captivity captive--or, "many captives captive" (@Jud 5:12).
received gifts for men--accepting their homage, even when forced, as
that of rebels.
that the Lord God might dwell--or literally, "to dwell, O Lord God"
(compare @Ps 68:16)--that is, to make this hill, His people or
Church, His dwelling. This Psalm typifies the conquests of the Church
under her divine leader, Christ. He, indeed, "who was with the Church
in the wilderness" (@Ac 7:38) is the Lord, described in this
ideal ascension. Hence Paul (@Eph 4:8) applies this language to
describe His real ascension, when, having conquered sin, death, and
hell, the Lord of glory triumphantly entered heaven, attended by
throngs of adoring angels, to sit on the throne and wield the scepter
of an eternal dominion. The phrase "received gifts for (or literally, among)
men" is by Paul, "gave gifts to men" (@Eph 4:8). Both
describe the acts of a conqueror, who receives and distributes spoils.
The Psalmist uses "receiving" as evincing the success, Paul "gave" as
the act, of the conqueror, who, having subdued his enemies, proceeds to
reward his friends. The special application of the passage by Paul was
in proof of Christ's exaltation. What the Old Testament represents of
His descending and ascending corresponds with His history. He who
descended is the same who has ascended. As then ascension was an
element of His triumph, so is it now; and He, who, in His humiliation,
must be recognized as our vicarious sacrifice and the High Priest of
our profession, must also be adored as Head of His Church and author of
all her spiritual benefits.
19-21. God daily and fully supplies us. The issues or escapes from death are under His control, who is the God that saves us, and destroys His and our enemies.
21. wound the head--or, "violently destroy" (@Nu 24:8 Ps 110:6).
goeth on still in . . . trespasses--perseveringly impenitent.
22. Former examples of God's deliverance are generalized: as He has
done, so He will do.
from Bashan--the farthest region; and--
depths of the sea--the severest afflictions. Out of all, God will
bring them. The figures of @Ps 68:23 denote the completeness of the
conquest, not implying any savage cruelty (compare
@2Ki 9:36 Isa 63:1-6 Jer 15:3).
24-27. The triumphal procession, after the deliverance, is depicted.
They have seen--impersonally, "There have been seen."
the goings of my God--as leading the procession; the ark, the symbol of
His presence, being in front. The various bands of music (@Ps 68:25)
follow, and all who are--
26. from--or literally, "of"
the fountain of Israel--that is, lineal descendants of Jacob, are
invited to unite in the doxology. Then by one of the nearest tribes,
one of the most eminent, and two of the most remote, are represented
the whole nation of Israel, passing forward (@Nu 7:1-89).
28, 29. Thanks for the past, and confident prayer for the future victories of Zion are mingled in a song of praise.
29. thy temple--literally, "over"
Jerusalem--His palace or residence (@Ps 5:7) symbolized His
protecting presence among His people, and hence is the object of homage
on the part of others.
30. The strongest nations are represented by the strongest beasts (compare Margin).
31. Princes--or, literally, "fat ones," the most eminent from the
most wealthy, and the most distant nation, represent the universal
subjection.
stretch out her hands--or, "make to run her hands," denoting haste.
32-36. To Him who is presented as riding in triumph through His ancient heavens and proclaiming His presence--to Him who, in nature, and still more in the wonders of His spiritual government, out of His holy place (@Ps 43:3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church, rules the world in righteousness--let all nations and kingdoms give honor and power and dominion evermore.