Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:24
They have seen thy goings, O God; [even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
24. They have seen ] The subject is significantly indefinite: it includes all men, who have been the spectators of the conflict between God and His enemies. Cp. Psa 98:1-3; Isa 40:5.
thy goings ] The festal procession which celebrates God’s victory on behalf of His people. He comes in triumph once more, as He came of old.
my King ] The title is significant. He has again placed Himself at the head of His people and victoriously manifested His sovereignty. Cp. Psa 44:4; Psa 74:12.
in the sanctuary ] R.V. into the sanctuary, retaining A.V. in the marg. The preposition implies His rest there after His entry. It is possible also to render as in Psa 68:17, in holiness (R.V. marg. alt.). His triumph is the vindication of that holiness which is His supreme attribute and distinguishes all His action. Cp. Exo 15:11; Psa 77:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
24 27. These verses describe a solemn procession of thanksgiving to the Temple. But is it past, present, or future? Delitzsch is right when he says that it is “not the rejoicing over a victory lately won, not the rejoicing over the deliverance at the Red Sea in the days of old, but the rejoicing of Israel when it shall have seen the judicial and redemptive act of its God and King.” It is an ‘ideal’ description. The poet’s imagination springs forward to the great celebration of the victory described in Psa 68:21-23. It rises before his eyes as an actual fact.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They have seen thy goings, O God – That is, the lookers on in the solemn procession referred to in Psa 68:25; or, in other words, Thy goings have been attended by pomp and magnificence, and have been witnessed by multitudes. The word goings here refers to the solemn triumphal processions which celebrated the victories achieved by God.
Even the goings of my God, my King – The psalmist here speaks of God as his God and his King. The idea seems to have suddenly crossed his mind that this great God, so glorious, is his God. He exults and rejoices that He whom he adores is such a God; that a God so great and glorious is his. So the believer now, when he looks upon the works of God, when he contemplates their vastness, their beauty, and their grandeur, is permitted to feel that the God who made them is his God; to find consolation in the thought that his Father made them all.
He looks abroad into the varied field
Of Nature, and, though poor, perhaps, compared
With those whose mansions glitter in his sight,
Calls the delightful scenery all his own.
His are the mountains, and the valleys his,
And the resplendent rivers; – his to enjoy
With a propriety that none can feel
But who, with filial confidence inspired,
Can lift to heaven an unpresumptuous eye,
And smiling say, My Father made them all!
Are they not his by a peculiar right,
And by an emphasis of interest his,
Whose eye they fill with tears of holy joy,
Whose heart with praise, and whose exalted mind
With worthy thoughts of that unwearied love
That plannd, and built, and still upholds a world
So clothed with beauty for rebellious man?
task, Book v.
In the sanctuary – Or, to the sanctuary; in other words, as the ark was borne to the sanctuary, the place appointed for its rest, for, as above remarked, the psalm seems to have been composed on such an occasion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 68:24-27
They have seen Thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
The progress of Divine truth in the world
I. Some men merely witness the progress of Divine truth (Psa 68:24). What a large class of men there is in Christendom who act thus in relation to the progress of Christianity! They see new churches erected and new adherents gained all around them. They read of the multiplication of copies of Holy Scripture, and the increase of the triumphs of missionaries in heathen lands. They see its literature extending. But in all this they feel no vital interest. Whilst many of these care for none of these things, some ridicule and others denounce. They laugh at what they consider fanaticism; they thunder at that which they believe is imposture. They have seen Thy goings, O God, etc. Yes, they have seen, and that is all.
II. Good men are always exultant in the progress of Divine truth (Psa 68:25-26). Why should we rejoice in the progress of Divine truth?
1. Because, as Divine truth advances, all the evils that curse humanity will disappear.
2. Because, as Divine truth advances, all the virtues that bless humanity will multiply and grow. He is no true philanthropist who exults not in the progress of Christianity.
III. All men should be interested in the progress of Divine truth (Psa 68:27). Here are different tribes brought together from opposite parts of the country, thus to express their common interest in the services of the day. All men should be interested in the cause of Divine truth. Why?
1. Because all men have a common relation to its Author. He is the Father of them all.
2. Because all men have a common need of its blessings. It offers liberty to the captive–and all are captives; knowledge to the ignorant–and all are ignorant; pardon to the guilty–and all are guilty; life to the dying–and all are dying; heaven to the lost–and all are lost. (Homilist.)
The royal procession
This verse may be read thus: They have seen thy marches in procession, O God; even the marches of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. We have brought before us the jubilant songs of praise arising from the royal procession of Jehovah before the assembled hosts of Israel. Now, there has been a royal procession in London this week, and it has suggested this subject. For to-day there is an assembled host of people crowding our sanctuaries: their main desire is to see their King.
I. The people viewing the procession. The vast majority came to see our Queen herself. And their motives were various.
1. Many of them had never seen her before. And in our sanctuaries there are many who as yet have never seen their King, and they greatly desire to.
2. Others long ago had seen the Queen, but wanted to see her again: so with us and our King.
3. Others went simply to see the pageant; as much to be seen as to see. And how many come to our sanctuaries out of mere curiosity!
4. And all grades of society were represented there.
5. Some obtained much better views than others. So is it with those in our sanctuaries. Care and distractions of all kinds hinder many souls.
II. The procession itself.
1. It passed along an appointed way. It is all marked out. Through the sanctuary a main part of its route lies. But in the abodes of sickness, sorrow, death, Christ often comes.
III. The purpose of the procession. It was to open a new thoroughfare. And so our King has come to open a new road to heaven. The old road by Innocency has been blocked ever since the fall of Adam. And the road of Jewish ceremonies, and the law, is no longer available. But Christ has opened a new and living way. (A. G. Brown.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 24. They have seen thy goings] These kings of the Amorites have seen thy terrible majesty in their discomfiture, and the slaughter of their subjects.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
They have seen: it is an indefinite expression; men saw and observed it, thy people to their comfort, and thine enemies with terror and astonishment.
Thy goings; either,
1. How thou didst march before them through the Red Sea and the wilderness, even until thou didst bring them into Canaan, and afterward, as occasion was, and how thou didst subdue their enemies before them. Or rather,
2. The procession of the ark to Zion, the solemnity whereof is particularly described in the following verses.
In the sanctuary; or, in holiness; for it was not a light and carnal, but a holy pomp; or, in the holy place; as the ark, in and with which God is supposed to go, might very fitly and truly be called. Or into the sanctuary, or holy tabernacle, prepared for it; whither the ark was now going.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24-27. The triumphal procession,after the deliverance, is depicted.
They have seenimpersonally,”There have been seen.”
the goings of my Godasleading the procession; the ark, the symbol of His presence, being infront. The various bands of music (Ps68:25) follow, and all who are
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They have seen thy goings, O God,…. In saving his people, and destroying his enemies;
[even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary; the walk and conversation of Christ, when he was made flesh, and dwelt among men; his manner of life and deportment; his works and miracles, his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead; all which his apostles were eyewitnesses of; as also his going up to heaven, which was visible to angels and men; likewise his progress and victorious expeditions in Judea, and in the Gentile world, by the ministry of the word, in which he went forth conquering, and to conquer; which sense is confirmed by the following words: for Christ, who is God over all, the Lord and God of his people, and King of saints, is here, as throughout the psalm, intended. The Targum interprets it of the path or goings of the divine Majesty upon the sea, which the house of Israel saw.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. They have seen thy goings, O God! This verse may refer to processions of a warlike kind, or to such as are made in times of peace by those who give thanks for victory. It is customary for the people of God, on occasions of the latter description, to go forth and present peace-offerings in the temple. This has led some to understand by the goings of God, (46) the crowds of his people when they proceed to the temple. But I am disposed to think that God himself is here represented as a king leading and marshalling forth his armies. Accordingly, it is added, in the sanctuary, under which expression there is an apt allusion to the visible symbol of the Divine presence. The great reason why God undertakes the guardianship of his people, and goes before them to repel the attacks of the enemy, is his having promised that he will hear their prayers in the sanctuary. He is therefore described as if he were seen coming out of his holy habitation, that he might conduct his people to victory. David calls him his King, to divert the attention of the people from himself, and lead them to view a name which belonged to a frail mortal man such as he was, in its higher application to the supreme Head of all. He speaks, it is true, in the name of the people, but not to the exclusion of himself.
(46) “This doubtless refers to the order of the procession then on its march, and to that of religious processions in general. In the religious and festal processions of the Hindoos there is the same order and classes of performers. The singers, men and women, precede, singing songs appropriate to the occasion; and then the players on instruments follow after.” — Illustrated Commentary upon the Bible.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) Goings.Better, processions. (Comp. Psa. 42:4.)
In the sanctuary.Rather, into the sanctuary.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
(24-27) These hopes of national deliverance are kept alive in the worship of the sanctuary, which the poet now proceeds to describe. A solemn procession advances to the Temple, and we have a description of it by one evidently as interested in this ritual as familiar with it.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. They have seen That is, The people at large, the nations. The victories of Moses and Joshua, and the miraculous interferences in behalf of Israel in the times of the Judges, were publicly known to all the neighbouring nations.
In the sanctuary In the holy place; so translated in Psa 68:17. But here the connexion requires the “ark,” or the “holy of holies,” where the ark rested, to be specially understood, as in Exo 28:43; Exo 29:30. With the ark, the “goings” or marchings of God in the wilderness were regulated. See Num 10:35-36, and note on Psa 61:4. Later, the Philistines had seen God’s “goings” in, or with, his ark. See 2 Samuel 5, 6. Thus the nations, as well as Israel, had seen the jealous care and loving protection which God had of his own abode and worship, and were impressed with his supreme majesty and holiness.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 68:24. They have seen thy goings, O God These words contain a sort of triumph, that this great work of translating the ark was now so happily accomplished. Thy people have seen thy goingsthy marches, O God; the procession stopping several times, and being performed in several sorts of periods, in proper succession one after another, for the ease of the carriers of the ark, and for performing some sacred rites, which were appointed on this occasion. 2Sa 6:13. 1Ch 15:26. Even the marches of my God, my king, into the sanctuary; i.e. the tabernacle which David had prepared for the reception of the ark of God, whom he publicly acknowledges as his sovereign and king.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Is not this a similar address, from the Father to the Son, to what we meet with, Psa 45:6-7 , and which the Holy Ghost hath explained Heb 1:6-9 ? And if so, what a glorious view doth it afford of God the Father’s delight and glory in the salvation wrought by his dear Son? What holy triumphs are here shown to be our Christ’s? Observe how the Jewish church, with her several tribes, are set forth as coming to Christ; and how the Gentile church, with Ethiopia and the Isles, (why not our Britain included?) as looking unto Jesus for redemption. Reader I pray oblige me by reading to this effect, Isa 19:18 , to the end.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 68:24 They have seen thy goings, O God; [even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
Ver. 24. They have seen thy goings, O God ] Namely, the holy manner of conducting the ark with even and proportionable restings and settings down (Diod.). See 2Sa 6:13 . The ark is here and elsewhere called God, because a symbol of his special presence. When we are called to hear God’s word, and pray publicly, though we see not God, yet we may see his goings Deus enim ipse chorum agit, et primas tenet in illo incessu (Vatab.).
Of my God, my King
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 68:24-27
24They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25The singers went on, the musicians after them,
In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.
26Bless God in the congregations,
Even the Lord, you who are of the fountain of Israel.
27There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,
The princes of Judah in their throng,
The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
Psa 68:24-27 This strophe describes a procession to the temple. Possibly the ark, which was taken into battle, is returned.
There are several groups mentioned or implied in the throng.
1. the Israeli king as a representative of YHWH, the true King
2. Levitical singers and musicians
3. maidens with tambourines (cf. Exo 15:20; Jdg 11:34; Jer 31:4)
4. the thirteen tribes represented by
a. Benjamin
b. Judah
c. Zebulun
d. Naphtali
Psa 68:24
NASB, NKJVThey have seen
NRSVare seen
TEVseen by all
NJBfor all to see
JPSOAMen see
The question is, who sees? Is it the Israelite worshiper or all the opposing nations? The strophe implies Israel but the Psalm as a whole implies the nations (cf. Psa 68:28-35).
procession The term (BDB 237) is used only here for
1. people of Israel coming to the temple
2. Deity coming to the temple
my King The first specific mention of YHWH as King is 1Sa 8:4-9. See Special Topic: The Kingdom of God.
sanctuary This term (BDB 871) is used of
1. places set apart as sacred by God’s presence
2. the tabernacle and its courts
3. the temple and its surrounding areas
4. Jerusalem and its hills
Psa 68:26 Bless God This is a Piel imperative. Israel must praise YHWH for His character and His actions! See Special Topic: Characteristics of Israel’s God.
the fountain of Israel This is a unique phrase. It seems to refer to YHWH’s calling of the Patriarchs and His involvement in their barren wives having children. The only oblique possible parallel reference is found in Isa 48:1.
Psa 68:27 There has been much speculation about why only some tribes are mentioned. I think there are three possibilities.
1. they represent the entire Promised Land
a. Judah and Benjamin the south (i.e., Judah)
b. Zebulun and Naphtali the north (i.e., Israel)
2. they represent the wives of Jacob (i.e., source of the 13 tribes)
a. Rachel
(1) Judah
(2) Benjamin
b. Leah Zebulun
c. Bilhah Naphtali
d. Zelph no child listed
3. they represent the smallest tribe to the largest
the youngest The MT has the least of them (BDB 859 I). This could mean
1. Benjamin the youngest son of Rachel
2. a small tribe, but Israel’s first king, Saul, came from it
NASBin their throng
NKJVand their company
NRSVin a body
TEVwith their group
NJBin bright-colored robes
JPSOAwho command them
The MT has (BDB 920), which could refer to
1. to kill by stoning (sling, , BDB 920)
2. heap of stones or crowd of people (BDB 920)
3. throng (BDB 921)
The NJB emends the word (1) to , to embroidery (BDB 140) or (2) variegated stuff, (cf. Psa 45:13-14 a). The UBS Text Project (p. 293) gives crowd a B rating (some doubt), but it is not specific about the root (i.e., #2 or #3).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
goings = progression, or procession. Compare 2Sa 6; 1Ch 15:16-21, where the order is given as in verses: Psa 68:24, Psa 68:25 here.
goings. Figure of speech Epizeuxis.
in = into.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 68:24-27
Psa 68:24-27
THE PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESSION
“They have seen thy goings, O God,
Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after,
In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels,
Bless ye God in the congregations,
Even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel.
There is little Benjamin their ruler,
The princes of Judah and their council,
The princes of Zebulun,
The princes of Naphtali.”
“Into the sanctuary” (Psa 68:24). This was not the temple. It was not constructed until the times of Solomon, but the sanctuary to which the ark of the covenant was carried from Obed-Edom was the tabernacle, the site of which had been purchased by David, and upon which, later, the temple was built.
“The singers … minstrels … damsels playing timbrels, and … all ye of … Israel” (Psa 68:25-26). This is a description of the great host of people who joined in the procession bringing home the ark to Jerusalem.
“Benjamin … Judah … Zebulun … Naphtali” (Psa 68:27). These seem here to stand for “all Israel” as indicated in the preceding verse. It has been pointed out that Benjamin might have been mentioned first because from that tribe came Saul, Israel’s first king. If that is true, it would indicate a magnanimous gesture on David’s part to have thus honored his predecessor.
Another thought here is that the children of Jacob’s two wives, Rachel and Leah, as well as the children of a concubine are all included in these four names.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 68:24. They refers to the enemy before whom the wonderful goings or acts of God had been displayed.
Psa 68:25. David was a great man for musical instruments; used especially in service to God. He represented the victory as being celebrated with the music.
Psa 68:26. God is the fountain of all good, whether material or immaterial. The children of Israel had come from that fountain, hence they were told to bless God.
Psa 68:27. Both large (Judah) and small (Benjamin) groups with their rulers or leaders had come from God. The same was true of other tribes so they should praise God.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
even: Psa 24:7-10, Psa 47:5-7, 2Sa 6:12-17, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16-24
Reciprocal: 2Sa 6:15 – with shouting 1Ch 6:32 – they ministered 2Ch 29:28 – And all the congregation 2Ch 30:8 – enter into Psa 50:2 – Out Psa 63:2 – in the Psa 87:7 – As well Son 7:5 – the king
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 68:24. They, &c. When the ark was safely deposited, the sacrifices offered, the solemnity well nigh concluded, and the whole assembly about to return back, Dr. Chandler supposes the singers struck up and joined in the remaining part of this noble anthem. They have seen Men saw and observed, thy goings, O God The procession of the ark to Zion, the solemnity whereof is particularly described in the following verses. The word, goings, , halichotheicha, means, thy marches; the procession, it seems, stopping several times, and being performed in several sorts of periods, in proper succession, one after another, for the ease of those who bore the ark, and for performing some sacred rites, which were appointed on this occasion, 2Sa 6:13; 1Ch 15:26. Even the marches of my God, my King He repeats it, because the words contain a sort of triumph on account of this great work of translating the ark being now happily accomplished, which he seems to have considered as a pledge and earnest of the mighty things God would do for them, having now, by this symbol of his presence, taken possession of the place prepared for him on mount Zion, and therefore of Jerusalem, the capital of the kingdom: in the sanctuary Or, in holiness, for it was not a light and carnal, but a serious and holy procession: or, into the sanctuary, as the words may be rendered; or, holy tabernacle prepared for it; to which they had now carried the ark.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
68:24 They have seen {s} thy goings, O God; [even] the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
(s) That is, how you who are chief King goes out with your people to war, and gives them the victory.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Israelites witnessed Yahweh’s glorious entrance into His sanctuary on Mt. Zion. David described the scene as what would have accompanied an earthly monarch and may have accompanied his own entrance into Jerusalem. The "fountain of Israel" (Psa 68:26, NASB) pictures the nation of Israel as a fountain of blessing. Benjamin was the smallest tribe in the south, but a leader nonetheless. Judah was the largest tribe in the south. Zebulun and Naphtali were northern tribes that David may have chosen because of their prominence in Deborah’s song (Jdg 5:18). Together these four tribes represent all the Israelites, from the south and the north.