Bible Commentary

Psalms 68:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The subject of his grand hymn is

The entry of God into his sanctuary on Zion.

"These introductory verses contain the praise of God as the Almighty Destroyer of the wicked and the Deliverer of the just, and the exhortation to praise him as the Helper of all the miserable."

I. GOD SOMETIMES SEEMS TO SIT INACTIVE, AND NOT TO INTERFERE WITH HUMAN AFFAIRS. At such times wicked men and wicked nations seem to triumph over righteous men and righteous nations, and good men are filled with doubting and despondent thoughts. Hence they pray, "Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered."

II. BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN GOD SHOWS HOW WEAK IS THE STRONGEST WHEN ARRAYED AGAINST HIM. The wicked then flee before his face as smoke is driven before the wind, or as wax melts before the fire. Then good men are filled with rejoicing, and are confirmed in their highest thoughts of God. National revolutions and national growths are full of God's activity.

III. WHEN GOD ARISES TO WORK ANY GREAT CHANGE, WE HAVE TO PREPARE THE WAY FOR HIS COMING. (.) "Cast up a highway for him who rideth through the deserts," alluding to the custom of Eastern monarchs, who sent pioneers to prepare the route which they intended to follow; not "extol him that rideth upon the heavens." Here the preparation is evidently the joyful expectation of his coming to go before his people, and of the mighty deeds which he will work. By faith and joyful work we prepare God's way; and he goes before us to prepare our way. Both ideas here.

IV. GOD IS TO BE PRAISED NOT ONLY FOR HIS GREAT VICTORIES, BUT FOR HIS COMPASSION TO THE MISERABLE. (, .) He helps those most to be pitied, while the great earthly potentates respect only the rich and the noble.

1. He helps and comforts the widow and the fatherless.

2. He gives homes to the outcast and homeless.

3. He gives liberty to the captive. Only the rebellious abide in a land of drought.—S.

Psalms 67

Psalms

Psalms 69

Psalms 68 - psalms-68 - worlddic.com

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 68:1-6None 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 who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise a…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:1-35The ark and Christ. It is said that "the testimony of [or, 'concerning'] Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). This is specially true of this psalm, it might be called a song of the ark. As Moses spake of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let them also that hate him flee before him. Compare the chant with which the ark set forth in the wilderness, "Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:1-35EXPOSITION THIS psalm is one of triumphant praise and jubilation, the crown and gem of the Second Book. Professor Cheyne calls it "a patriotic and religious ode of wondrous range and compass, and in the grandest style."…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As clouds of smoke are dispersed and driven away by the wind, and totally disappear, so let God, whenever his enemies congregate, scatter and disperse them, and reduce them t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. When the wicked are destroyed, the righteous receive relief, and cannot but rejoice at God's goodness to them (comp. Psalms…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:4Sing unto God, sing praises to his Name (comp. Psalms 64:4): extol him that rideth upon the heavens. This passage is now generally translated, Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts (Hengstenberg, Kay…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 68:5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God. A defender, i.e; of the oppressed and downtrodden (comp. Isaiah 1:17). In his holy habitation. The heavenly and not the earthly dwelling place—whether taber…Joseph S. Exell and contributors