John Calvin Commentary Psalms 68:17

"The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them, [as in] Sinai, in the sanctuary." — Psalms 68:17 (ASV)

The chariots of God are twenty thousand thousands of angels. For the most part, we are inclined to undervalue the Divine presence, and therefore David presents us with a description suited to exalt our thoughts of it. Owing to our unbelieving hearts, the least danger that occurs in the world weighs more with us than the power of God.

We tremble under the slightest trials, for we forget or hold low views of His omnipotence. To preserve us from this error, David directs us to the countless myriads of angels that are at His command — a fact that, when considered, can indeed enable us to defy the evils that afflict us.

Twenty thousand are spoken of, but this number is designed to indicate to us that the armies of the living God, whom He commissions for our help, are innumerable. Surely, this should comfort us under the deadliest afflictions of this life.

In adding that the Lord is among them, the Psalmist still intends to give us an exalted view of what is included in God’s presence. For the words suggest that He can no more divest Himself of His existence than He can lack this power by which angels are subject to His will.

Another idea suggested is that one God is better than a universe of angels. The great distance at which we are inclined to imagine God as removed from us is one factor that tests our faith. To counteract this, the Psalmist reminds us of Sinai, where there was a display of His majesty.

The inference was conclusive that He still remained in the sanctuary. Why did God appear on that occasion in such a glorious manner? Evidently, it was to show that His covenant formed a sacred bond of union between Him and the descendants of Abraham. Hence the words of Moses—

Say not in your heart, Who shall go up into heaven? or who shall descend into the deep? or who shall go over the sea? For the word is near to you... (Deuteronomy 30:12).

Sinai therefore is mentioned by David to teach us that if we are to fortify our minds with a firm faith in the Divine presence, we must draw it from the Law and the Prophets.