Bible Commentary

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry [land]. 6. God maketh the solitary to dwell in a house; He bringeth out prisoners into prosperity; But the stubborn dwell In a parched land. The verse describes general principles of God’s dealings … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:6”

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation. 5. The orphan and the widow are typical examples of the friendless and unprotected who are under God’s special guardianship (Psa 10:14; Psa 146:9; Hos 14:3). They are the subjects of a special clause in the earliest legislation … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:5”

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 4. to his name ] Praising Him for all that He has revealed Himself to be. Cp. Psa 44:8; Exo 3:15. extol &c.] Render, Cast up a high way for him that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:4”

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. 3. But the righteous shall be glad, shall exult at the presence of God; Yea, they shall rejoice with gladness. The righteous are the people of God, viewed in the light of their calling: the wicked are the heathen, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:3”

As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away: as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 2. The verbs should be rendered as in Psa 68:1 by futures: As smoke so shalt thou drive them away: as wax so shall the wicked perish at the presence … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:2”

To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 1. God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered And they that hate him shall flee from his presence. Psalms 67 begins with an echo of the priestly … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 68:1”

God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. God shall bless us – That is, with prosperity, peace, salvation. The making of his name known abroad will be the means of blessing the world; will be the highest favor that can be conferred on mankind. And all the ends … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 67:7”

[Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, shall bless us. 6. Then shall the earth &c.] Render, The land hath yielded her increase, according to the promise of Lev 26:4; cp. Psa 85:12; Psa 65:9 ff. God, our God, is the Elohistic editor’s substitution for Jehovah our God. shall … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 67:6”

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 5. the people ] As before, the peoples. This refrain is generally treated as before as a wish or prayer; but it is worth considering whether the tone of the last stanza does not change throughout from prayer to confident hope, so … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 67:5”

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. 4. The reason for the universal rejoicing of the nations is given in the words, for thou shalt Judge the peoples with equity; i.e. rule them with just and equitable government. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 67:4”