681 Let God be seen, and let his haters be put to flight; let those who are against him be turned back before him. 2 Let them be like smoke before the driving wind; as wax turning soft before the fire, so let them come to an end before the power of God. 3 But let the upright be glad; let them have delight before God; let them be full of joy. 4 Make 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. 5 A father to those who have no father, a judge of the widows, is God in his holy place. 6 Those who are without friends, God puts in families; he makes free those who are in chains; but those who are turned away from him are given a dry land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people, wandering through the waste land; (Selah.) 8 The earth was shaking and the heavens were streaming, because God was present; even Sinai itself was moved before God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, did freely send the rain, giving strength to the weariness of your heritage. 10 Those whose resting-place was there, even the poor, were comforted by your good things, O God. 11 The Lord gives the word; great is the number of the women who make it public. 12 Kings of armies quickly go in flight: and the women in the houses make a division of their goods. 13 Will you take your rest among the flocks? like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its feathers with yellow gold. 14 When the Most High put the kings to flight, it was as white as snow in Salmon.
15 A hill of God is the hill of Bashan; a hill with high tops is the hill of Bashan. 16 Why are you looking with envy, you high hills, on the hill desired by God as his resting-place? truly, God will make it his house for ever. 17 The war-carriage of God is among Israel's thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to the holy place. 18 You have gone up on high, taking your prisoners with you; you have taken offerings from men; the Lord God has taken his place on the seat of his power. 19 Praise be to the Lord, who is our support day by day, even the God of our salvation. (Selah.) 20 Our God is for us a God of salvation; his are the ways out of death. 21 The heads of the haters of God will be crushed; even the head of him who still goes on in his evil ways.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 68:1-21
Commentary on Psalm 68:1-6
(Read Psalm 68:1-6)
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 who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.
Commentary on Psalm 68:7-14
(Read Psalm 68:7-14)
Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. If God bring his people into a wilderness, he will be sure to go before them in it, and to bring them out of it. He provided for them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna seems here meant. And it looks to the spiritual provision for God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain, with which God confirms his inheritance, and from which their fruit is found. Christ shall come as showers that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be applied to the victories over death and hell, by the exalted Redeemer, for those that are his. Israel in Egypt among the kilns appeared wretched, but possessed of Canaan, during the reigns of David and Solomon, appeared glorious. Thus the slaves of Satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and sanctified by him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all remains of their sinful state disappear, they shall be as the wings of the dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as gold. Full salvation will render those white as snow, who were vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.
Commentary on Psalm 68:15-21
(Read Psalm 68:15-21)
The ascension of Christ must here be meant, and thereto it is applied, John 17:2. Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is, that he is a Saviour and Benefactor to all his willing people, and a consuming fire to all that persist in rebellion against him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that he may be truly said to load us with them. He will not put us off with present things for a portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue his people from the dominion of death, by taking away the sting of it from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, shall be smitten; Christ shall crush the head of the serpent.