Psalm-68

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

YYYYYYY

Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

YYYYYYY

“Tehillim - Psalm 68”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction to Tehillim-Psalm 68:

Psalm 68 is one of the most majestic and complex hymns in the Psalter. It is a processional victory song, depicting אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) as a Divine Warrior who marches from Sinai to the Temple in Jerusalem. It celebrates אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as the “Father of the fatherless” and the protector of the weak, while showing His triumph over all who oppose righteousness. It is traditionally read during Shavuot because of its references to the giving of the Torah at “Mount Horeb”.

Let us now read Tehillim-Psalms Chapter 68: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David, a Song.
2. Let אֱלֹהִים - Elohim arise, let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee before Him.
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 אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
4. But let the righteous be glad, let them exult before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; yea, let them rejoice with gladness.
5. Sing unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, sing praises to His name; extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is יְהוָה - the LORD; and exult ye before Him.
6. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim in His holy habitation.
7. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim maketh the solitary to dwell in a house; He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious dwell but in a parched land.
8. O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah
9. The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; even Sinai trembled at the presence of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel.
10. A bounteous rain didst Thou pour down, O אֱלֹהִים; when Thine inheritance was weary, Thou didst confirm it.
11. Thy flock settled therein; Thou didst prepare in Thy goodness for the poor, O אֱלֹהִים.
12. יְהוָה - the LORD giveth the word; the women that proclaim the tidings are a great host.
13. Kings of armies flee, they flee; and she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.
14. When ye lie among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her pinions with the shimmer of gold.
15. When the Almighty scattereth kings therein, it snoweth in Zalmon.
16. A mountain of אֱלֹהִים is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
17. Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks, at the mountain which אֱלֹהִים hath desired for His abode? Yea, יְהוָה - the LORD will dwell therein for ever.
18. The chariots of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim are myriads, even thousands upon thousands; יְהוָה - the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, in holiness.
19. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts among men, yea, among the rebellious also, that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim might dwell there.
20. Blessed be יְהוָה - the LORD, day by day He beareth our burden, even the אֱלֹהִים who is our salvation. Selah
21. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is unto us a אֱלֹהִים of deliverances; and unto אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, belong the issues of death.
22. Surely אֱלֹהִים will smite through the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth about in his guiltiness.
23. יְהוָה - the LORD said: 'I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
24. That thy foot may wade through blood, that the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.'
25. They see Thy goings, O אֱלֹהִים, even the goings of my אֱלֹהִים, my King, in holiness.
26. The singers go before, the minstrels follow after, in the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels.
27. ‘Bless ye אֱלֹהִים in full assemblies, even יְהוָה - the LORD, ye that are from the fountain of Israel’
28. There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah their council, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
29. Thy אֱלֹהִים hath commanded thy strength; be strong, O אֱלֹהִים, Thou that hast wrought for us
30. Out of Thy temple at Jerusalem, whither kings shall bring presents unto Thee.
31. Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, every one submitting himself with pieces of silver;
He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war!
32. Nobles shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands unto אֱלֹהִים.
33. Sing unto אֱלֹהִים, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto יְהוָה - the LORD; Selah
34. To Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which are of old; lo, He uttereth His voice, a mighty voice.
35. Ascribe ye strength unto אֱלֹהִים; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the skies.
36. Awful is אֱלֹהִים out of thy holy places; the God of Israel, He giveth strength and power unto the people; blessed be God”.

YYYYYYY

Let us look at Psalm 68 at the ‘verse by verse’ Item with Explanations!

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David, a Song”.
2. “Let אֱלֹהִים - Elohim arise, let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee before Him”.

Explanation: These are the words Moses spoke when the Ark set forward in the wilderness. It is a plea for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, to manifest His presence, causing darkness and evil to dissipate like mist.

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 אֱלֹהִים - Elohim”.

Explanation: The “wicked” have no substance when compared to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim - the LORD Elohim; they are as fragile as smoke or melting wax in the heat of His holiness.

4. “But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before ; yea, let them rejoice with gladness”.

Explanation: While the wicked flee, the righteous find their highest joy in the very same presence.

5. “Sing unto אֱלֹהִים, sing praises to His Name; extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is יְהוָה - the LORD; and exult before Him.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים is described as the Rider of the Clouds, showing His mastery over the heavens and all creation.

6. “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is אֱלֹהִים in His Holy habitation”.

Explanation: This is a core truth: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s greatness is shown not just in His power over skies, but in His tender care for the most vulnerable members of society.

7. “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim maketh the solitary to dwell in a house; He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים provides family for the lonely and freedom for the bound, while those who reject Him find themselves in a spiritual desert.

8. “O אֱלֹהִים, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah”.
9. “The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of אֱלֹהִים, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel.

Explanation: David recalls the journey from Egypt. The earth itself responded to the weight of the Divine Presence at Sinai.

10. “Thou, O אֱלֹהִים, didst shed abroad a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance, when it was weary”.

Explanation: When the people were exhausted in the desert, אֱלֹהִים refreshed them with “plentiful rain”, both physical water and the spiritual nourishment of the “Manna” and the “Law”.

11. “Thy flock settled therein; Thou didst prepare in Thy goodness for the poor, O אֱלֹהִים”.

Explanation: The Land of Israel was prepared by אֱלֹהִים specifically as a dwelling for His "flock."

12. “יְהוָה - the LORD” giveth the Word; the women that proclaim the tidings are a great host”.

Explanation: When אֱלֹהִים - Elohim speaks a decree of victory, the news is spread joyfully by a vast choir of the faithful.

13. “Kings of armies flee, they flee; and she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil”.

Explanation: Even those who did not fight share in the victory because the battle belongs to יְהוָה - the LORD.

14. “When ye lie among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her pinions with yellow gold”.

Explanation: This poetic imagery suggests the beauty and peace that rest upon the people when they are under אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s protection.

15. “When the Almighty scattered kings therein, it was as when it snoweth in Zalmon”.

Explanation: The defeat of the enemies was as swift and transformative as a sudden snowfall covering a dark mountain.

16. “A mountain of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of peaks is the mountain of Bashan”.
17. “Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks, at the mountain which God hath desired for His abode? Yea, יְהוָה- the LORD will dwell in it for ever”.

Explanation: The great, high mountains (like Bashan) look with envy at the smaller Mount Zion, because אֱלֹהִים chose the humble hill of Jerusalem as His eternal dwelling.

18. “The chariots of אֱלֹהִים are myriads, even thousands upon thousands; יְהוָה - the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary”.

Explanation: The same power that was at Sinai is now present in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

19. “Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts among men, yea, among the rebellious also, that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim might dwell there”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים returns to His high throne as a conqueror, bringing even the rebellious into subjection so that His presence can fill the earth.

20. “Blessed be יְהוָה - the LORD, day by day He beareth our burden, even the God who is our salvation. Selah”.

Explanation: This is a verse of great comfort. אֱלֹהִים does not just save us once; He carries our “burdens” every single day.

21. “אֱלֹהִים is unto us a אֱלֹהִים of deliverances; and unto אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - Elohim the LORD belong the issues from death”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim holds the keys to life and death; He provides “deliverances” even from the most hopeless situations.

22. “But אֱלֹהִים will smite through the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth on still in his guiltiness”.

Explanation: Persistent, unrepentant evil will eventually be met with Divine justice.

23. “יְהוָה - the LORD” said: ‘I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
24. “That thy foot may pass through blood, that the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies;”.

Explanation: No enemy can hide; אֱלֹהִים will bring them to account, whether they are on the highest mountain or in the deepest sea.

25. “They see Thy goings, O אֱלֹהִים, even the goings of my אֱלֹהִים, my King, in the sanctuary”.
26. “The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels”.

Explanation: This describes the joyful liturgical procession into the Temple.

27. “‘Bless ye אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - in full assemblies, even יְהוָה - the LORD, ye that are from the fountain of Israel’”.

Explanation: A call for all the descendants of Jacob (“the fountain”) to praise אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim in unity.

28. “There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah their council, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali”.

Explanation: The tribes are listed together, showing national unity in worship.

29. “Thy אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה – the LORD Elohim hath commanded thy strength; be strong, O אֱלֹהִים, Thou that hast wrought for us”.

Explanation: Our strength is a gift from אֱלֹהִים. We ask Him to “be strong” on our behalf, to continue the work He started.

30. “Because of Thy temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents unto Thee”.

Explanation: The glory of the Temple will eventually draw the respect of the entire world.

31. “Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver; He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war”.

Explanation: A prayer for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to subdue the violent and the warmongers until there is peace.

32. “Nobles shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands unto אֱלֹהִים”.

Explanation: Even the ancient rivals of Israel will eventually turn their hands toward the true God.

33. “Sing unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto יְהוָה - the LORD; Selah”.
34. “To Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which are of old; lo, He uttereth His voice, a mighty voice”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s voice is “mighty”. He is the ancient King who rules over the highest heavens.

35. “Ascribe ye strength unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the skies”.

Explanation: We acknowledge that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s majesty is focused on His people, while His power fills the universe.

36. “Terrible art Thou, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, out of Thy holy places; the אֱלֹהִים of Israel, He giveth strength and power unto His people; blessed be אֱלֹהִים”.

Explanation: The Psalm ends with a declaration of אֱלֹהִים-Elohim’s awesomeness. He does not keep His power to Himself; He “giveth strength and power” to those who belong to Him.

My Closing Message:

Psalm 68 is a reminder that we do not carry our burdens alone. Verse 20 says, “day by day He beareth our burden”. Even in the “wilderness”, אֱלֹהִים is marching before us, as He did whilst in the Sinai. May there be “plentiful rain” of His spirit refreshing our weary souls, and may He provide us the “strength and power” as is spoken of in the final verse ... He “giveth strength and power” to those who belong to Him!

YYYYYYY

Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Enter ...

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

Enter ...

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

-hebraicstudies.net-

Email the Rabbi

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...