John Calvin Commentary Psalms 68:1

"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him." — Psalms 68:1 (ASV)

God shall arise: his enemies shall be scattered. In this verse, the Psalmist indicates, as if by way of preface, the subject he intended to discuss in the psalm. This subject concerns the truth that God—however long he may seem to overlook the audacity and cruelty of the enemies of his Church—will eventually arise to avenge it and prove himself able to protect it by the mere exertion of his hand.

I agree with other interpreters in thinking that this sentiment is borrowed from Moses (Numbers 10:35). There can be little doubt that in prescribing the form of prayer referred to there, he intended it for the instruction and comfort of all future generations. He aimed to teach the Lord’s people to confidently rely for safety upon the ark of the covenant, which was the visible symbol of the Divine presence.

We may notice this difference, however: Moses addressed the words to God as a prayer, while David rather expresses his satisfaction and delight in what he saw daily being fulfilled before his own eyes. Some indeed read, Let God arise; but they appear to misunderstand the Psalmist's scope.

He means to say that observation confirmed the truth Moses had declared: God needed only to rise up for all his enemies to be scattered before his irresistible power. Yet I see no objections to the other reading, provided the idea just mentioned is retained, and the words are considered as indicating that God needs no extensive preparation to overthrow his enemies and can dissipate them with a breath.

We are left to infer that when his enemies at any time gain an advantage, it is due to an exercise of Divine forbearance. Rage as they may, it is only with his permission, because the time for his rising has not yet come. There is much comfort to be derived from the circumstance that those who persecute the Church are here spoken of as God’s enemies. When he undertakes our defense, he regards the injuries done to us as dishonors cast upon his Divine Majesty.

The Psalmist adds a striking figure to illustrate how easily God can overthrow the schemes of our enemies, comparing them to smoke which vanishes when blown upon by the wind, or wax which melts before the fire. We consider it utterly incredible that such powerful opposition could disappear in a moment. But the Spirit uses this method to rebuke the fearfulness of our carnal minds. The Spirit teaches us that our enemies do not possess the strength we imagine. Furthermore, it shows that we allow their smoke to blind our eyes, and the solid mass of resistance they present deceives us into forgetting the truth that the mountains themselves flow down at the presence of the Lord.