Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 68
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 68
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 68
"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him. 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. But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land." — Psalms 68:1-6 (ASV)
None ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. God is the joy of his people; therefore, let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people.
He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever cares for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family and share all their blessings.
"O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped [rain] at the presence of God: Yon Sinai [trembled] at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor. The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host. Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil. When ye lie among the sheepfolds, [It is as] the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. When the Almighty scattered kings therein, [It was as when] it snoweth in Zalmon." — Psalms 68:7-14 (ASV)
Fresh mercies should remind us of former mercies. If God brings His people into a wilderness, He will be sure to go before them in it and to bring them out of it. He provided for them, both in the wilderness and in Canaan. The daily manna seems to be meant here.
This also points to the spiritual provision for God's Israel. The Spirit of grace and the gospel of grace are the plentiful rain with which God confirms His inheritance, and from which their fruit is produced. Christ shall come as showers that water the earth. The account of Israel's victories is to be applied to the victories over death and hell by the exalted Redeemer, for those who are His.
Israel in Egypt among the kilns appeared wretched; but, possessed of Canaan, appeared glorious during the reigns of David and Solomon. Thus the slaves of Satan, when converted to Christ, when justified and sanctified by Him, look honourable. When they reach heaven, all remains of their sinful state disappear; they shall be as the wings of a dove, covered with silver, and her feathers as gold.
Full salvation will render those white as snow who were vile and loathsome through the guilt and defilement of sin.
"A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan. Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell [in it] for ever. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them, [as in] Sinai, in the sanctuary. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, [among] the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell [with them]. Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death. But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness." — Psalms 68:15-21 (ASV)
The ascension of Christ must be meant here, and to that it is applied (Ephesians 4:8). As the purchase of His death, He received the gifts necessary for the conversion of sinners and the salvation of believers. He continually bestows these gifts, even on rebellious people, so that the Lord God might dwell among them as their Friend and Father. He gave gifts to men.
Having received power to give eternal life, the Lord Jesus bestows it on as many as were given Him (John 17:2). Christ came to a rebellious world, not to condemn it, but that through Him it might be saved. The glory of Zion's King is that He is a Savior and Benefactor to all His willing people, and a consuming fire to all who persist in rebellion against Him. So many, so weighty are the gifts of God's bounty, that it can truly be said He loads us with them.
He will not put us off with present things as our portion, but will be the God of our salvation. The Lord Jesus has authority and power to rescue His people from the dominion of death, by taking away its sting from them when they die, and giving them complete victory over it when they rise again. The crown of the head, the chief pride and glory of the enemy, will be struck; Christ will crush the head of the serpent.
"The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring [them] again from the depths of the sea; That thou mayest crush [them], [dipping] thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from [thine] enemies. They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels. Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, [ye that are] of the fountain of Israel. There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah [and] their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us." — Psalms 68:22-28 (ASV)
The victories with which God blessed David over the enemies of Israel are types of Christ's victory, for Himself and for all believers. Those who take Him as theirs may see Him acting as their God, as their King, for their good, and in answer to their prayers; especially in and by His word and ordinances. The kingdom of the Messiah will be submitted to by all the rulers and the learned in the world.
The people seem to address the king (verse 28). But the words are applicable to the Redeemer, to His church, and to every true believer.
We pray that You, O God the Son, will complete Your undertaking for us by finishing Your good work in us.
"Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee. Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war. Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God." — Psalms 68:29-31 (ASV)
A powerful invitation is given to those who are outside, to join the church. Some will submit from fear; overcome by their consciences and the restraints of Providence, they are brought to make peace with the church. Others will submit willingly (verses 29 and 31). There is such beauty and benefit in the service of God, and in the gospel of Christ which went forth from Jerusalem, that it is enough to invite sinners from all nations.
Jump to: