Psalm 68 is a powerful celebration of God’s victorious presence among His people. Traditionally associated with a procession of the Ark toward Jerusalem, it looks back to the Exodus, celebrates God’s power, and points ahead to the day when all the earth will worship Him.
So when you feel weak, lonely, tired, or surrounded by things that feel too big—remember verse 35. The awesome God in the sanctuary is the God who gives you power and strength.
Praise be to God.
Today's Study:
- Deep Dive study card
- Historical Context notes James
- Translations; NIV, 1611 KJV, NLT
- Psalm 68 to Christ card
- God goes before His People card
- Heart Check & Prayer card (plus pdf)
- The Ark of the Covenant card (Biblical Concepts-Jenny)
- Study Notes from both Jenny & James
- Cross References (James)
Who wrote it and when?
The heading says: “For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.”
Most traditional Bible teachers believe David himself wrote it (or supervised its writing) during his reign as king of Israel (around 1000 BC). One traditional historical setting associates the psalm with the time when David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13–15).
That was a huge national celebration. The Ark had been away for years. David finally brought it into the city with music, dancing, singing, and great joy. Psalm 68 fits that moment perfectly—it feels like a victory parade song celebrating God’s presence finally settling in Jerusalem (Zion).
What is the big picture of the psalm?
Psalm 68 is a processional song—a song meant to be sung while people were marching or processing. It looks back over Israel’s history and celebrates how God has always gone before His people:
- Wilderness days – God led them out of Egypt and through the desert (echoing Numbers 10:35, the words Moses said whenever the Ark set out: “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered…”).
- Victory over enemies – God defeated kings and armies so His people could settle in the land.
- Choosing Zion – God picked Mount Zion (Jerusalem) as the place where He would dwell, even though other mountains looked more impressive.
- Looking ahead – The song ends with the hope that all nations will one day come and worship the God of Israel.
It is both a history lesson and a worship song. It remembers what God has done and calls everyone to praise Him for it.
†β΄† New International Version (NIV) †β΄†
Psalm 68 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, 8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. 10 Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: 12 “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder. 13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” 14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.
15 Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain, 16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? 17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary. 18 When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. 21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. 22 The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea, 23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”
24 Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. 25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels. 26 Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel. 27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before. 29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts. 30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. 31 Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, 33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. 34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. 35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
βΰΌΊπ©βπͺΰΌ»βOriginal 1611 King James VersionβΰΌΊπ©βπͺΰΌ»β
(with original spelling)
CHAP. LXVIII. 1 A prayer at the remoouing of the Arke. 4 An exhortation to praise God for his mercies, 7 for his care of the Church, 19 for his great workes.
1 [To the chiefe Musician. A Psalme or song of Dauid.] Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him, flee before him. 2 As smoke is driuen away, so driue them away: as waxe melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad: let them reioyce before God, yea let them exceedingly reioyce. 4 Sing vnto God, sing praises to his Name: extoll him that rideth vpon the heauens, by his Name Iah, and reioyce before him. 5 A father of the fatherlesse, and a iudge of the widowes, is God in his holy habitation. 6 God setteth the solitary in a families: hee bringeth out those which are bound with chaines, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 7 O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people; when thou didst march through the wildernes, Selah. 8 The earth shooke, the heauens also dropped at the presence of God: euen Sinai it selfe was mooued at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentifull raine, whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10 Thy Congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poore. 11 The Lord gaue the word: great was the company of those that published it. 12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that taried at home, diuided the spoile. 13 Though ye haue lien among the pots, yet shall yee bee as the wings of a doue, couered with siluer, and her feathers with yellow gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered Kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. 15 The hil of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 16 Why leape ye, ye high hilles? this is the Hil which God desireth to dwell in, yea the Lord will dwel in it for euer. 17 The chariots of God are twentie thousand, euen thousands of Angels: the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast ledde captiuitie captiue, thou hast receiued giftes for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth vs with benefits, euen the God of our saluation. Selah. 20 Hee that is our God, is the God of saluation; and vnto God the Lord belong the issues from death. 21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies: and the hairy scalpe of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses. 22 The Lord said, I will bring againe from Bashan, I will bring my people againe from the depthes of the sea: 23 That thy foote may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogges in the same. 24 They haue seene thy goings, O God, euen the goings of my God, my King, in the Sanctuarie. 25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; amongst them were the damosels playing with timbrels. 26 Blesse yee God, in the Congregations, euen the Lord, from the fountaine of Israel. 27 There is little Beniamin with their ruler, the princes of Iudah and their Councill, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for vs. 29 Because of thy Temple at Ierusalem, shall kings bring presents vnto thee. 30 Rebuke the company of spearemen, the multitude of the bulles, with the calues of the people, till euery one submit himselfe with pieces of siluer: scatter thou the people that delite in warre. 31 Princes shall come out of Egypt, Ethiopia shall soone stretch out her hands vnto God. 32 Sing vnto God, yee kingdomes of the earth: O sing praises vnto the Lord, Selah: 33 To him that rideth vpon the heauens of heauens, which were of olde: loe, hee doeth send out his voice, and that a mightie voice. 34 Ascribe yee strength vnto God: his excellencie is ouer Israel, and his strength is in the cloudes. 35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giueth strength, and power vnto his people: blessed be God.
Key historical connections
- Numbers 10:35 – The opening words of Psalm 68 deliberately repeat Moses’ prayer when the Ark moved.
- Judges 5 (Deborah’s song) – Similar language about God marching and the earth shaking.
- 2 Samuel 6 – The joyful procession of the Ark into Jerusalem matches the procession described in verses 24–27.
- Later, the New Testament (Ephesians 4:8) takes verse 18 and applies it to Jesus ascending into heaven and giving gifts to His people. So the historical victory of the Ark points forward to Christ’s greater victory.
Here is Psalm 68 in the New Living Translation (NLT):
Psalm 68 For the choir director: A song. A psalm of David.
1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. 2 Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. 3 But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord— rejoice in his presence!
5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland, Interlude 8 the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. 10 There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people.
11 The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news. 12 Enemy kings and their armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder. 13 Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures— doves with wings of silver and feathers of gold. 14 The Almighty scattered the enemy kings like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky. 16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever?
17 Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary. 18 When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.
19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude 20 Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
21 But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. 22 The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea. 23 You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!”
24 Your procession has come into view, O God— the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary. 25 Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines. 26 Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life. 27 Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28 Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. 29 The kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem. 30 Rebuke these enemy nations— these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war. 31 Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Interlude 33 Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. 34 Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. 35 God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
Study Notes
πͺJennyπͺ —
Psalm 68 with βοΈ verse 35 is a GREAT Deep Dive. This psalm is huge—not just in length, but in scope. It moves through God marching before His people → Sinai → conquest → Zion → God’s sanctuary → the nations → God’s final victorious reign. And verse 35 lands like the closing declaration:
Psalm 68:35 (NIV) — “You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
What makes that anchor especially good is that the whole psalm has been demonstrating why that statement is true.
First thing I notice
Psalm 68 doesn't present God as a distant King sitting quietly on His throne.
God is moving.
Psalm 68:1 — “May God arise, may his enemies be scattered…”
Then:
Psalm 68:7 — “When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness…”
And by the end:
Psalm 68:32–35 — the kingdoms of the earth are summoned to praise the One who rides across the heavens, whose power is over Israel and whose majesty is in the skies.
So our movement is almost:
GOD ARISES → GOD MARCHES → GOD CONQUERS → GOD DWELLS → GOD REIGNS → GOD STRENGTHENS HIS PEOPLE.
And THAT brings us to βοΈ Psalm 68:35.
One thing we absolutely need to Deep Dive π³
Psalm 68:18.
Psalm 68:18 (NIV) — “When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious—that you, LORD God, might dwell there.”
Because Paul picks this verse up in:
Ephesians 4:8 — “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
π
Paul applies Psalm 68's victorious divine ascent to Christ.
That gives us a beautiful study trail from Sinai/Zion → God's victorious ascent → Jesus' ascension → gifts given to His people. And notice where Psalm 68 itself eventually ends:
“The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.” — Psalm 68:35
That connection deserves its own section.
I'd structure today's Deep Dive around Psalm 68:1–35, βοΈ verse 35, with special stops at vv. 1–6, 7–10, 15–18, 19–23, 24–27, 28–31, and 32–35.
And there's another little treasure in here I don't want us to rush past:
Psalm 68:5–6 — “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…”
π₯Ήβ€οΈ
πJamesπ -
Here’s a simple, verse-by-verse walk through Psalm 68 in everyday language. I’ll use mainly the NIV wording (with a glance at the ESV where it helps), keep the explanations plain, and keep pointing everything back toward verse 35—the big finish that says:
“You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
That verse is the heart of the whole psalm. Everything before it shows us why God is awesome and why He can give real strength to ordinary people like us.
Verses 1–3
David starts with a bold prayer: “May God arise, may his enemies be scattered… may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God.”
It’s like saying, “Lord, get up and show Yourself! Chase away everyone who stands against You the way smoke blows away in the wind or wax melts in a fire.” God’s people don’t have to fight in their own strength—they just need God to stand up. When He does, the wicked disappear and the people who belong to Him are filled with joy.
Anchor to v. 35: This is the same awesome God who later gives us power and strength.
Verses 4–6
“Sing to God… extol him who rides on the clouds… A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
God is not just a distant warrior. He is the One who rides through the skies in majesty, yet He comes close to the most vulnerable—orphans, widows, lonely people, and prisoners. He brings them into family and freedom. Those who keep rejecting Him end up dry and empty.
Anchor to v. 35: The God who is awesome in His sanctuary is the same God who notices the lonely and the weak and gives them a place and strength.
Verses 7–10
David looks back to the Exodus and the wilderness years. When God led His people out of Egypt and through the desert, the earth shook and the heavens poured rain. God refreshed His tired people and provided for the poor.
God didn’t just rescue them once—He stayed with them, cared for them, and made a dry land into a place of rest.
Anchor to v. 35: The same God who shook mountains and provided water in the desert is the One who still gives power and strength to His people today.
Verses 11–14
The Lord gives the victory word, and a great crowd of women announce the good news: “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder.” Even while some were still resting, God was winning the battle. When the Almighty scattered the kings, it was like snow covering a dark mountain.
God’s victories are so complete that His people can rest and still share in the spoil.
Anchor to v. 35: Our strength doesn’t come from our effort. It comes from the God who fights and then shares the victory with us.
Verses 15–18
The mountains of Bashan (big, impressive peaks) look with envy at the mountain God chose—Zion, where He decided to dwell forever. God’s chariots are numberless. Then comes a key verse:
“When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious—that you, Lord God, might dwell there.”
This is the verse Paul quotes in Ephesians 4 about Jesus ascending into heaven, taking captivity captive, and giving gifts to His people. What began as a picture of God entering His sanctuary becomes a picture of Christ rising and pouring out grace on us.
Anchor to v. 35: The awesome God in the sanctuary is the same One who came down, rose again, and now lives among His people to give them strength.
Verses 19–23
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” God will crush the heads of His enemies and bring His people back from the farthest places.
Day after day God carries what is too heavy for us. He is the One who rescues from death itself.
Anchor to v. 35: The God who is awesome is also the daily Burden-Bearer who gives strength for ordinary, hard days.
Verses 24–27
David pictures a joyful procession into the sanctuary: singers, musicians, young women with tambourines, the tribes of Israel all joining in praise. Even the smallest tribe (Benjamin) is leading.
God’s people are invited to celebrate together in His presence.
Anchor to v. 35: The sanctuary is not a cold, scary place. It is where the awesome God meets His people and strengthens them.
Verses 28–31
David prays, “Summon your power, God… show us your strength.” Because of God’s temple, kings will bring gifts. God will rebuke the proud nations that love war, and even Egypt and Cush (far-off places) will come and submit to Him.
God’s power is not just for Israel’s past—it reaches to the nations and into the future.
Anchor to v. 35: The same power that rules the nations is the power He freely gives to His own people.
Verses 32–35 – The Grand Finale
“Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth… to him who rides across the highest heavens… Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.
You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
The whole psalm has been building to this. Every victory, every rescue, every act of kindness to the weak, every shaking of the earth, every ascent into glory—all of it shows that God is awesome. And the wonderful surprise is that this awesome God does not keep His power locked away. He gives power and strength to ordinary people who belong to Him.
That is the heart of Psalm 68. The God who scatters enemies, fathers the fatherless, leads through the wilderness, ascends in triumph, and receives the worship of the nations is the same God who daily strengthens His people.
β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«β«
Here’s a helpful set of cross-references for Psalm 68, kept simple and focused especially around verse 35. I’ve grouped them by the main ideas in the psalm so they’re easier to follow. These are drawn from the connections the Bible itself makes (mostly NIV/ESV wording in mind).
1. God rises up and scatters His enemies (verses 1–3)
- Numbers 10:35 – The almost exact words Moses used when the ark of the covenant set out: “Rise up, Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.”
- Psalm 68 is like David picking up that same prayer and turning it into a full song of praise.
- Related: Isaiah 33:3; Psalm 89:10.
2. God cares for the weak and lonely (verses 4–6)
- Deuteronomy 10:18 – “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”
- Psalm 10:14 – God is the helper of the fatherless.
- Psalm 146:9 – The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow.
These show that the awesome God of verse 35 is the same One who notices the people no one else sees.
3. God leading His people through the wilderness (verses 7–10)
- Judges 5:4–5 – Deborah’s song uses very similar language about the earth shaking and the heavens pouring rain when God marched out.
- Exodus 19 (Sinai) – The mountain trembled at God’s presence.
- Deuteronomy 33:2 – The Lord came from Sinai with His people.
4. The key verse about ascending and giving gifts (verse 18)
This is the most important New Testament connection:
- Ephesians 4:8 – Paul quotes Psalm 68:18 and applies it directly to Jesus: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (Paul slightly changes “received gifts” to “gave gifts,” showing how Jesus fulfills and expands the meaning.)
This links the whole psalm to Christ’s victory, His ascension, and the gifts He gives to the church (including strength and power for His people).
5. God daily carries our burdens and saves (verses 19–20)
- Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.”
- Isaiah 46:4 – God carries us even to old age.
- Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest.
6. The heart of the psalm – Verse 35
“You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
Here are the clearest cross-references that echo this exact truth:
- Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
- Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
- Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
- Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Colossians 1:11 – “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”
- Ephesians 3:16 – That God would strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.
- Zechariah 10:12 – “I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely.”
Also related to God being “awesome”:
- Nehemiah 1:5 – “the great and awesome God”
- Psalm 65:5 and Psalm 66:5 – God is awesome in His deeds.
Quick summary for study
The strongest threads that run through the whole psalm and land on verse 35 are:
- God rises up in power (Numbers 10:35).
- God cares for the weak (Deuteronomy 10:18).
- Jesus fulfills the ascent and gives gifts (Ephesians 4:8).
- God gives real strength to His people (Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 40:29; Philippians 4:13).
π π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π ππ π
Here’s a simple, clean list of the main cross-references for Psalm 68, focused especially around verse 35:
God rises & scatters enemies (vv. 1–3)
- Numbers 10:35
- Isaiah 33:3
- Psalm 89:10
God cares for the weak & lonely (vv. 4–6)
- Deuteronomy 10:18
- Psalm 10:14
- Psalm 146:9
God leads through the wilderness (vv. 7–10)
- Judges 5:4–5
- Exodus 19 (Sinai)
- Deuteronomy 33:2
Ascending & giving gifts (v. 18)
- Ephesians 4:8 (the key New Testament quote)
God carries burdens & saves (vv. 19–20)
- Psalm 55:22
- Isaiah 46:4
- Matthew 11:28–30
Verse 35 – God is awesome & gives strength
- Psalm 29:11
- Isaiah 40:29
- Isaiah 40:31
- Philippians 4:13
- Colossians 1:11
- Ephesians 3:16
- Zechariah 10:12
- Nehemiah 1:5
- Psalm 65:5
- Psalm 66:5
That’s the simple list. You can write these right in the margin of your Bible next to the verses.
Add comment
Comments