Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:32
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
32. The kingdoms of the earth are invited to reecho Israel’s chorus of praise, Psa 68:4. Cp. Rev 11:15 The musical interlude ( Selah) may suggest the outbreak of the chorus of universal praise.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
32 35. All nations are summoned to unite in praising Israel’s God.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth – That is – that acknowledge the true God – celebrate his praise. The psalmist sees the conversion of the world to God to be so certain an event that he calls on all nations to join in the song.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 32. Sing unto God] All the inhabitants of the earth are invited to sing unto God, to acknowledge him as their God, and give him the praise due to his name.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not only Egypt and Ethiopia, but other kingdoms and nations also, who shall partake of the same grace with them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
32-36. To Him who is presentedas riding in triumph through His ancient heavens and proclaiming Hispresenceto Him who, in nature, and still more in the wonders ofHis spiritual government, out of His holy place (Ps43:3), is terrible, who rules His Church, and, by His Church,rules the world in righteousnesslet all nations and kingdoms givehonor and power and dominion evermore.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth,…. Not only the Egyptian and Ethiopian kingdoms, but all the kingdoms of the world; which will now be converted to Christ, and become his, even all the Papal, Pagan, and Mahometan kingdoms; see Re 11:15. These are called upon to sing songs and hymns of praise to Christ, who is God, for redemption by him, and salvation in him; and for their deliverance from all the darkness and delusions under which they formerly were;
O sing praises unto the Lord; the Lord of all, the Lord of lords, the Head of the church, and Saviour of the body; and whom those converted nations will acknowledge to be their Lord and King; and make their homage, and bring their tribute of praise to him, for breaking the antichristian yokes that were upon them, and freeing them from the tyranny and bondage with which they were oppressed: this will be fulfilled in the latter day; see Re 11:1.
Selah; on this word, [See comments on Ps 3:2].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
| Praise to God for His Sovereign Dominion. | |
32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: 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. 34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. 35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
The psalmist, having prayed for and prophesied of the conversion of the Gentiles, here invites them to come in and join with the devout Israelites in praising God, intimating that their accession to the church would be the matter of their joy and praise (v. 32): Let the kingdoms of the earth sing praises to the Lord; they all ought to do it, and, when they become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, they will do it. God is here proposed to them as the proper object of praise upon several accounts:
I. Because of his supreme and sovereign dominion: He rides upon the heavens of heavens which were of old (v. 33); compare v. 4. He has from the beginning, nay from before all time, prepared his throne; he sits on the circuit of heaven, guides all the motions of the heavenly bodies; and from the highest heavens, which are the residence of his glory, he dispenses the influences of his power and goodness to this lower world.
II. Because of his awful and terrible majesty: He sends out his voice, and that a mighty voice. This may refer either generally to the thunder, which is called the voice of the Lord and is said to be powerful and full of majesty (Ps. xxix. 3, 4), or in particular to that thunder in which God spoke to Israel at Mount Sinai.
III. Because of his mighty power: Ascribe you strength unto God (v. 34); acknowledge him to be a God of such irresistible power that it is folly to contend with him and wisdom to submit to him; acknowledge that he has power sufficient both to protect his faithful subjects and to destroy his stubborn adversaries; and give him the glory of all the instances of his omnipotence. Thine is the kingdom and power, and therefore thine is the glory. We must acknowledge his power, 1. In the kingdom of grace: His excellency is over Israel; he shows his sovereign care in protecting and governing his church; that is the excellency of his power, which is employed for the good of his people. 2. In the kingdom of providence: His strength is in the clouds, whence comes the thunder of his power, the small rain, and the great rain of his strength. Though God has his strength in the clouds, yet he condescends to gather his Israel under the shadow of his wings, Deut. xxxiii. 26.
IV. Because of the glory of his sanctuary and the wonders wrought there (v. 35): O God! thou art terrible out of thy holy places. God is to be admired and adored with reverence and godly fear by all those that attend him in his holy places, that receive his oracles, that observe his operations according to them, and that pay their homage to him. He displays that out of his holy places which declares aloud that he will be sanctified in those that come nigh unto him. Out of heaven, his holy place above, he does, and will, show himself a terrible God. Nor is any attribute of God more dreadful to sinners than his holiness.
V. Because of the grace bestowed upon his people: The God of Israel is he that gives strength and power unto his people, which the gods of the nations, that were vanity and a lie, could not give to their worshippers; how should they help them, when they could not help themselves? All Israel’s strength against their enemies came from God; they owned they had no might of their own, 2 Chron. xx. 12. And all our sufficiency for our spiritual work and warfare is from the grace of God. It is through Christ strengthening us that we can do all things, and not otherwise; and therefore he must have the glory of all we do (Ps. cxv. 1) and our humble thanks for enabling us to do it and accepting the work of his own hands in us. If it be the God of Israel that vies strength and power unto his people, they ought to say, Blessed be God. If all be from him, let all be to him.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
In the next verse he goes farther than before, and calls upon the kingdoms of the earth to praise God, language which implies that those who had once been distinguished by their hostility to him would be ranked amongst his willing worshippers. There must be the knowledge of God, as I have remarked elsewhere, before men can celebrate the praises of his name; and we have a proof of the calling of the Gentiles, in the fact that Moses and the prophets invite them to offer sacrifices of praise. That it might not seem a strange and incredible thing to speak of the extension of the worship of God from one land, within which it had been hitherto confined, to the whole world, David insists upon God’s rightful dominion over all parts of the earth. He rideth upon the heaven of heavens; that is, as we have observed at the beginning of the psalm, he has supreme power over all creatures, and governs the universe at his will. This truth is one which, even in its general application, is well fitted to beget a reverential consideration of the majesty of God; but we must not overlook the more particular reason for which it is here introduced. Mention having been made of the Gentiles, who lay as yet without the pale of the Church, he proves them to be embraced in the government of God by virtue of his sovereignty as Creator, and intimates that there was nothing wonderful in the fact, that he who sits upon the heavens should comprehend the whole inhabitants of the earth under his sway. By the heavens of ancient times, it is meant to intimate that the whole human family were under his power from the very beginning. We have a signal proof of the glorious power of God in the fact, that, notwithstanding the immensity of the fabric of the heavens, the rapidity of their motion, and the conflicting revolutions which take place in them, the most perfect subordination and harmony are preserved; and that this fair and beautiful order has been uninterruptedly maintained for ages. It is apparent then how the ancientness of the heavens may commend to us the singular excellency of the handiwork of God. Having touched upon the work of creation, he particularises thunder, for this is what he intends by a mighty voice, as in Psa 29:4. There are two constructions which we may put upon the words used, either that by his voice of command he calls forth the thunders which shake heaven and earth with the loudness of their sound, or that he sends forth his mighty voice in the thunder. I have already shown, at some length, in commenting upon the other passage just quoted, that there is a propriety in God’s being represented as thundering; for the phenomenon is one which, more than any other, impresses an awe upon the spirits of men. And the words are introduced with the exclamation lo! or behold! the better to arrest our wandering thoughts, or rather to reprehend our security.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(32) Sing praises . . .Better, play and sing. The Selah, as in some other cases, is introduced where to our sense of rhythm it is quite out of place.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
32. Sing unto God The call is upon all the kingdoms of the earth. The reign of Messiah is cause of universal joy.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
How very applicable and suited is this hymn of praise, for all the redeemed upon earth to use, after the review of such unspeakable mercies as this Psalm hath recorded! Who can withhold the just tribute of praise, among all the kingdoms of the earth? Heaven is indeed the place of unceasing joy, and thanksgivings to God and the Lamb: but until we arrive at that blessed place, every tongue, every heart, every faculty of soul and body, should be called forth in the song of redemption. Who that contemplates the sovereign majesty of Jehovah, his glory, his power, his supreme honour and holiness, but must be lost in amazement, to think of the condescending manifestations of his grace, in the person and offices of his co-equal, co-eternal Son! Well may we cry out, blessed be God! blessed be God, for Jesus Christ!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 68:32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:
Ver. 32. Siny unto God, ye kingdoms ] No such joy as that of the converted; Isa 35:10 , “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads,” &c. Bernard, for a certain time after his conversion, remained, as it were, deprived of his senses, by the excessive consolations he had from God. The like befell Cyprian, Austin, and others.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 68:32-35
32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
Sing praises to the Lord, Selah.
33To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times;
Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice.
34Ascribe strength to God;
His majesty is over Israel
And His strength is in the skies.
35O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.
The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.
Blessed be God!
Psa 68:32-35 This strophe reinforces the universal worship of YHWH in Jerusalem alluded to in Psa 68:31.
Notice the imperatives.
1. sing to God BDB 1010, KB 1479, Qal imperative
2. sing praises to the Lord BDB 274, KB 273, Piel imperative
3. ascribe strength to God BDB 678, KB 733, Qal imperative, cf. Psa 29:1-2; 1Ch 16:28-29
YHWH is described as
1. who rides upon the hightest heavens (i.e., on the storm clouds)
2. who speaks forth with a mighty voice (i.e., thunder, cf. Isa 30:30; Rev 11:19; Rev 14:2; Rev 16:17-18)
3. majesty is over Israel
4. strength is in the skies
5. awesome from the temple
6. gives strength and power to His people
7. is blessed by them
Psa 68:33 a This imagery goes back to Deu 33:26 and is alluded to in Psa 18:10, also note Psa 68:4 b.
The highest heavens denotes the clouds of earth (cf. Psa 68:34 c), not the dwelling place of God.
His mighty voice is an allusion to creation by the spoken word in Genesis 1.
Psa 69:35 awesome This description goes back to Deu 7:21; Deu 10:17, also note Psa 47:2; Psa 66:5. It refers to YHWH’s holy character and deeds of covenant deliverance.
gives strength and power to the people This may be another allusion to
1. the Exodus
2. the Wilderness Wanderings
3. the Conquest of Canaan
4. His ongoing presence with Israel
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Selah. Connecting the exhortation to praise with Him Who is to be praised, verses: Psa 68:33-35. See App-66.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 68:32-35
Psa 68:32-35
PRAISE THE POWERFUL AND TERRIBLE GOD OF ISRAEL
“Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth;
O Sing praises unto the Lord; (Selah)
To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old;
Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye strength unto God:
His excellency is over Israel,
And his strength is in the skies.
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places:
The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people.
Blessed be God.”
“To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens” (Psa 68:33). As noted above, the pagan deity Baal was honored by his worshippers as the one “who rideth upon the clouds,” but here the God of Israel is extolled as the true Ruler of the universe, not Baal.
Whereas the first six verses of this psalm are Israel’s alone, this last paragraph is universal.
“These verses reassert the cosmic power of God but remind us that He is still the God of Israel. The Psalm by its almost uncontainable enthusiasm bears witness to its grasp of reality, this union of immense power, with intense love and care for his people. His majesty is over Israel.
“Ascribe ye strength unto God” (Psa 68:34). These words are addressed to all the kingdoms of men. “The kingdoms of the earth are summoned freely to confess the Lord’s omnipotence.
“Blessed be God” (Psa 68:35). Appropriately, the psalm closes on this note. Only God is entitled to the worship and adoration of his human creation; and no higher occupation of human ability can be imagined than that of its employment in the worship and service of God through Christ.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 68:32 This was rather in the nature of a command or demand. The kingdoms of the earth were called upon to recognize God. See comments at Psa 3:2 for Selah.
Psa 68:33. Rideth upon, etc., was to indicate the over-all jurisdiction of God. In view of that authority the nations were directed, in the preceding verse, to give due praise unto the God of Israel.
Psa 68:34. The strength of God is greater than that possessed by any other being. That strength was contributed to the oversight of Israel. Clouds had reference to the regions of creation, and God’s strength was manifested therein.
Psa 68:35. Terrible is from YARE and means that God is worthy to be respected for his might. He is able to give strength and power unto his people. These words have practically the same meaning and are used together for emphasis.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
ye kingdoms: Psa 67:2-5, Psa 100:1, Psa 117:1, Psa 117:2, Deu 32:43, Rom 15:10, Rom 15:11, Rev 15:4
Reciprocal: 2Ch 6:4 – Blessed Psa 96:1 – sing unto Psa 96:7 – Give Psa 102:15 – General Psa 147:7 – General Psa 148:11 – Kings Isa 12:5 – Sing Heb 7:25 – come
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 68:32-33. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth Not only Egypt and Ethiopia, but other kingdoms and nations also, who shall partake of the same grace with them. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens Upon the highest heavens, his truest and best sanctuary; dwelling there in infinite glory and majesty, and from thence looking down upon all the inhabitants of the earth, and ruling them by his almighty power, and therefore most fit to be acknowledged and received by all kings and kingdoms as their Lord and Governor; which were of old From the very beginning of the world; whereas the ark was only a few hundreds of years old. Lo, he doth send out his voice Thunder is described in Scripture as the voice of God, (Psalms 29.,) and is peculiarly awful and terrible in the eastern and warmer parts of the earth. But the word of God seems to be here meant, namely, the gospel, published by Christ and his apostles, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which might well be called Gods voice, and that a mighty voice, because it produced such great and wonderful effects, as are here mentioned, in converting the kings and kingdoms of the earth.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4. The proper response to God scattering His enemies 68:32-35
In conclusion, David called on the nations to praise Yahweh, the sovereign ruler over all. His display of power and majesty, so beautifully set forth in this psalm, is ample reason to do so.
In view of God’s dealings with Israel, every nation under heaven should learn who the true God is and submit to His sovereignty. His record of prospering those who trust in Him and destroying those who oppose Him should move any people to bow before Him.