John Calvin Commentary Psalms 68:11

"The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host." — Psalms 68:11 (ASV)

The Lord shall give the word, etc. David now refers to the victories by which God had remarkably displayed His power on behalf of His people. He himself had been the instrument of restoring peace to the country by defeating its enemies, and he had extended the boundaries of the kingdom; but he attributes the praise for all that had been accomplished in military strategies and plans to God.

In representing God as issuing orders for the song of triumph, he suggests, figuratively, that it is He who determines the successful outcome of battles. Notice is taken of the women who announce the army, for it was the custom in ancient times for women to sing the song of triumph, as Miriam, the sister of Moses, with her companions, sounded God's praises on the timbrel, and the women celebrated David’s victory on the harp when he killed Goliath and defeated the Philistines (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6). In making this reference to a song of praise, the Psalmist, as I have already said, intended to impress upon the people the truth that the victories gained were entirely due to God; though, at the same time, he implicitly reminds them that it is their duty to proclaim His benefits with appropriate gratitude.

From the following verse, we are taught that the mightiest preparations that the enemies of the Church may make for its destruction will be overthrown. We may consider the words as spoken by the Psalmist himself, or as forming the song of the women mentioned above.

It illustrated divine favor that the most formidable kings, before whom the Jews could never have stood by their own strength, were put to flight. Princes, who could easily have overwhelmed the world with their forces, not only departed without achieving their goal but were also forced to flee far away. This outcome could only be explained by God having remarkably intervened as their defender. In Hebrew, the verb is repeated, they shall flee, they shall flee, indicating that the enemy's attacks had been repelled by divine assistance repeatedly. The greatness of the spoil taken is implied by the fact that a share of it would come even to the women who remained at home. While the soldiers would return from battle laden with spoils, the quantity of plunder taken would be so great that the women, who took no part in war, would share in it.