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Psalm 68:4–5 and the Other Verses of Psalm 68

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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”

Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively.  Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior.  Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This webpage could be periodically updated.  If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated.  Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.  

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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.  

When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:  

“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note:  The heart refers to the mind.  

It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:  

“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”

It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:  

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”

A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned.  In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher.  Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:  

If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship:  whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living.  As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.

Note:  Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites.  Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM].  The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human.  When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god.  Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.  

The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind.  In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests.  The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:  

Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession.  Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram.  Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:  

Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.

The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:  

Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.  Also, it is still much more evident:  that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life.  Indeed, it is attested:  “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”

Note:  The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah.  Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body.  The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.  

Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest.  In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family.  Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:  

However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE.  You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Note:  Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people.  In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people.  The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23.  In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.  

Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Put succinctly:  itʼs the message rather than the messenger.  In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:  

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that.  I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God.”

*Note:  The word says is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated.  That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:  

The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.

Note:  The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”  

Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah.  Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared.  Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life.  Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.  

Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:  

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52

Behold, I tell you a mystery:  we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation.  The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation.  1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic.  In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.  

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.  However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.  We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober.  Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.  However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.  Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Note:  In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent.  In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context.  Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!”  In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness.  The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture.  In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation.  Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity.  After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored.  The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1.  Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30.  In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit.  Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.  In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer.  After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.  

The verses of the day for June 17th are Psalm 68:4–5.  Psalm 68 was written by David, the second king of Israel.  The first king of Israel was King Saul.  

In the below notes related to Psalm 68, the Promised Land is referenced.  The Promised Land is the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites.  At the time the Israelites entered it, the land was inhabited by Canaanites.  In that regard, that land can also be referred to as the land of Canaan.  

God the Fatherʼs promise of land to Abraham is part of God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham.  Also, the content of Genesis 12:3 involves some of God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham.  God the Fatherʼs promises to Abraham are called the Abrahamic Covenant.  The Abrahamic Covenant is for Abraham, Abrahamʼs son Isaac, Abrahamʼs grandson Jacob, and the people descended from Jacob.  Jacob was renamed Israel.  In that regard, the people descended from Jacob can be referred to as Israelites.  Regarding Genesis 12:3, below is content related to Genesis 12:1–3.  

Genesis 12:1

Now Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One says to Abram, “Go away from your country and from your relatives and from your fatherʼs house to the land which I show you, 

Note:  At the time described in Genesis 12:1, Abraham was still named Abram.  In this verse, the uses of a present tense in the phrase says to Abram and the phrase which I show you are references to what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

Genesis 12:2

and I make you a great nation, and I bless you, and make your name great, and you be a blessing, 

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verbs of this verse are references to the future.  

Genesis 12:3

and I bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I curse, and in you all the families of the earth have been blessed.”

Note:  The use of the perfect tense in the phrase have been blessed is a reference to the future.  Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what will happen in the future?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what will occur in the future is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  In that regard, the phrase in you all the families of the earth have been blessed indicated that it was 100% certain that the Savior would be descended from Abraham and that people of all racial groups would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  

In Genesis 12:3, the phrase I bless those who bless you indicates that those who are kind to Israelites will experience blessing.  Being kind to Israelites can be referred to as being pro-Semitic.  Unspecified in this verse is in what way or ways the blessing will occur.  Also, such blessing can apply to individuals or groups of people.  In that regard, if kindness towards Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience blessing.  

In Genesis 12:3, the phrase the one who curses you I curse indicates that those who are hostile towards any Israelites will experience cursing.  Hostility towards Israelites can be referred to as being anti-Semitic.  Unspecified in this verse is how soon the cursing occurs after hostility is directed towards any Israelites.  Also, such cursing can apply to individuals or groups of people.  In that regard, if hostility directed towards any Israelites is widespread in a region, then that region will experience cursing.  

The Abrahamic Covenant also involves promises related to land for Israelites.  Those promises will be completely fulfilled when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Below is a list of topics and related verses involving the land for Israelites.  

The land promise to Abraham when he was still named Abram is in Genesis 13:14–16.  

The dimensions of the land promise are referenced in Genesis 15:18–21.  

The confirmation of the promise to Isaac is in Genesis 26:3–4.  

The confirmation of the promise to Jacob and the Israelites is in Genesis 35:12.  

The fact that the promise of land was given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Israelites was communicated to Moses, and Moses communicated that fact to the Israelites whom he led in the Exodus out of Egypt.  That topic is covered in Exodus 6:2–9.  

Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Psalm 68.  

Psalm 68:1

For/To the preeminent one / the overseer / the superintendent / the director / the chief:  a Psalm of David, a song.

'Elohiym [el-oh-HEEM] / The Godhead arises.  His enemies are scattered, and those hating Him flee from Him.

Note:  Unspecified in Psalm 68 is to whom the phrase the preeminent one / the overseer / the superintendent / the director / the chief refers.  The term Godhead refers to the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit].  

Psalm 68:2

As the driving away of smoke, You drive away.  As the melting of wax before fire, the wicked perish before 'Elohiym / the Godhead.

Psalm 68:3

However, the righteous are glad.  They exult before 'Elohiym / the Godhead, and they rejoice with gladness.

Psalm 68:4

Sing to 'Elohiym / the Godhead.  Praise His name.  Lift up / Cast up / Exalt / Extol / Raise up, for Him Who rides in deserts, by His name Jah / Yah / I am I am / the existing One, and exult before Him.

Note:  From the context of the content of this verse and the preceding ones, it is logical to conclude that this verse refers to praising God the Father.  Regarding the phrase Him Who rides in deserts, the content of verses 6 and 7 provides context for verse 4.  The content of verses  6 and 7 references the Israelites in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt.  That wilderness was a dry environment.  Regarding the plural word deserts, the usage of that plural word by David might be a reference to the various arid locations in the wilderness.  

While the Israelites were in the wilderness, God the Son traveled ahead of the Israelites.  In that regard, Davidʼs use of the phrase Him Who rides in deserts in this verse might be a reference to God the Son.  In traveling ahead of the Israelites, God the Son appeared to the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  In that regard, it is possible that God the Son was traveling on or in some sort of vehicle with exhaust that had the appearance of a cloud during the daytime and an appearance involving glowing fire at nighttime.  Of course, there could be other possibilities as well.  

Psalm 68:5

A Father of the orphans/fatherless and Judge/Advocate for the widows is 'Elohiym / the Godhead in His Holy Habitation / Holy Place.

Note:  The reference to orphans / the fatherless and widows calls attention to helpless people in general.  In that regard, God the Father cares about helpless people.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what David meant when he mentioned the Holy Habitation / Holy Place of God the Father.  In that regard, God the Father is in Heaven, which can also be referred to as the Third Heaven or as the Third Heavens.  Below is a summary of the different usages for the word heaven.  

• The first heaven (also known as [aka] first heavens):  the atmosphere of earth

• The second heaven (aka second heavens):  outer space

• The Third Heaven (aka Third Heavens or simply as Heaven):  the location of the throne room of God the Father

Also, while the Tabernacle—and later, the Temple after the Temple replaced the Tabernacle—is where God the Son was manifested as the Shekinah Glory [shuh-KIGH-nuh GLOR-ee] above the Ark of the Covenant, God the Father was not manifested in the Tabernacle nor the Temple.  Regarding the phrase in His Holy Habitation / Holy Place in the content of Psalm 68:5, that phrase must refer to something other than the judging/advocating on the behalf of orphans/fatherless and widows occurring in Heaven.  In that regard, it is possible that the phrase in His Holy Habitation / Holy Place refers to God the Father manifesting Himself in Heaven.  That reference to God the Father and Heaven might be used by David to call attention to the fact that God the Father is perfectly just.  Regardless of what David meant by that phrase, this verse calls attention to the fact that God the Father helps the helpless.  

Regarding God the Father helping the helpless, absent from this verse and the surrounding verses is anything indicating that wicked people who are helpless are amongst those people who are helped by God the Father.  In the Bible, when wicked people are being referenced, they are mentioned as being wicked.  Because absent from this psalm is any mentioning of wicked people who are helpless, it is therefore logical to conclude that the helpless people that David references in this verse are helpless people other than wicked helpless people.  

Psalm 68:6

'Elohiym / the Godhead makes the solitary/lonely to dwell in a house/family.  He leads out prisoners / captives / those who are bound into prosperity, but the rebellious/stubborn have dwelt in a parched place.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether David was referring to a person living in a house or becoming part of a family.  Regardless of to what David was referring, this verse indicates that God the Father cares about solitary/lonely people.  He also cares about people who have been captured.  From the context of the content of the rest of this verse and the content of the next verse, it is logical to conclude that Davidʼs reference to people who have been captured being led into prosperity is a reference to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.  That event occurred many years before David was born.  

In this verse, the use of the perfect tense in the phrase have dwelt in a parched place is a reference to what occurs.  Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, why would a verb in the perfect tense be used to refer to what occurs?  Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what occurs is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.  In that regard, the content of this verse indicates that those who are rebellious/stubborn will suffer consequences for being rebellious/stubborn.  

Psalm 68:7

O 'Elohiym/Godhead, when You go forth before Your people, when You march through the wilderness—Selah

Note:  This verse is associated with the previous verse.  In that regard, it is possible that the rebellious people mentioned in verse 6 are the Israelites of the first generation of the Exodus.  Also, rather than David referring to every single member of that generation, David might have been referring to the majority of them.  In that regard, while many of the first generation of the Exodus refrained from regularly obeying the Word of God, some of the members of that generation did obey the Word of God.  For example, Joshua, serving as the assistant of Moses, regularly obeyed the Word of God.  After Moses died, Joshua led the Israelites of the second generation of the Exodus into the Promised Land.  Also, Caleb regularly obeyed the Word of God.  Caleb was a scout who went with Joshua and some others on a mission to spy out the Promised Land before the Israelites entered it.  Caleb and Joshua both expressed faith in God the Fatherʼs plan regarding the Promised Land being given to the Israelites.  

The word Selah in this verse refers to singers resting and instruments playing on.  This is a picture of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ resting from worrying in the believerʼs thinking while the grace of God the Father continues on.  While many Israelites of the first generation of the Exodus refrained from resting from worrying in their thinking, David and anyone who followed the example of the mental attitude that David exhibited with this psalm rested from worrying in their thinking.  

Psalm 68:8

—the earth has quaked.  Also, the heavens have dropped/dripped before 'Elohiym / the Godhead.  This is Sinai—before 'Elohiym / the Godhead, the 'Elohiym/Godhead of Israel.

Note:  In this verse, the dropping/dripping refers to rainfall.  In that regard, the content of this verse and the next verse is reminiscent of the content of Judges 5:4–5.  The content of Judges 5:4–5 involves the beginning of a song of praise that honors God the Father.  That song was sung by an Israelite prophetess who was a judge of Israel and by an Israelite military commander who was under the authority of that judge of Israel.  The judges, which in the English transliteration of Hebrew are called shaphatim, were deliverers of the nation of Israel.  The prophetess who was a judge/shaphat/deliverer of Israel is named Deborah.  The military commander who was under the authority of Deborah is named Barak.  Deborah and Barak sang that song of praise after the Israelites experienced victory over enemies led by a man named Sisera, who was the military commander of the army of the Canaanite king Jabin.  During the battle involving the Israelites fighting against Sisera and his forces, Sisera fled from the scene of the battle.  After fleeing, Sisera came upon the tent of a woman named Jael.  Jael was the wife of a Gentile man named Heber, who was a member of the Gentile tribe known as the Kenites.  The Kenites were a tribe of people of which the father-in-law of Moses was a member.  

When Sisera came upon the tent of Jael, Jael invited him to go into her tent.  Sisera entered the tent, and Jael covered him with a coverlet/bedspread/rug.  Sisera asked her for water, and she gave him milk instead.  Sisera was exhausted, and he fell asleep after drinking the milk.  While he was sleeping, Jael slew Sisera with the peg of a tent that she hammered through the temple of Siseraʼs head and into the ground.  Then Barak, who had been pursuing Sisera, encountered Jael, who had come out to meet Barak.  Jael then showed Barak the remains of Sisera.  After Siseraʼs ignominious death, the Israelites defeated the Canaanite king Jabin.  The topic of the defeat of Sisera, the army that he led, and the Canaanite king Jabin is covered in Judges 4 and Judges 5.  

Psalm 68:9

You send a plentiful rain, O 'Elohiym/Godhead.  You have established Your inheritance when it has been weary.

Note:  In this verse, the phrase Your inheritance refers to the Israelites.  

Psalm 68:10

Your congregation has dwelt in it.  You provide in Your goodness for the humble/afflicted/lowly/needy/poor, O 'Elohiym/Godhead.

Note:  In this verse, the word congregation refers to the Israelites, and the pronoun it refers to the Promised Land.  

Psalm 68:11

'Adonay [ad-oh-NIGH] / the Lord gives the utterance/word/promise/command; the women who proclaim good news are a numerous host/army:  

Note:  In this verse, the women proclaiming good news were so numerous that they are metaphorically described as a host/army.  

Psalm 68:12

“Kings of hosts/armies flee.  They flee, and a female inhabitant of the house divides the spoil!”

Note:  The defeat of the enemies is so thorough that women who are at home during the warfare—in other words, noncombatants—participate in the dividing of the wealth that comes from the defeated enemies.  

Psalm 68:13

If you lie down between the stalls/pots/hooks/things—the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her pinions with yellow gold.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether stalls, pots, hooks, or other things are being referenced in this verse.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what the reference to lying between stalls, pots, hooks, or other things references.  In addition, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what the reference to a dove references.  

Psalm 68:14

When the Almighty scatters the kings in it, it snows in Zalmon.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what the word Zalmon as used in this verse references.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether the snowing referenced in this verse is literal or metaphorical.  In that regard, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is how God the Father scattering kings in Zalmon is related to the reference to snowing in Zalmon.  

Note:  Regarding the below content of Psalm 68:15, on the map at the below link, the region Bashan [bah-SHAHN] is located near the top of the map.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/04Num-7.jpg

Psalm 68:15

A mountain of might—the mountain of Bashan.  A mountain of peaks—the mountain of Bashan.

Note:  Mightiness is the sense in which the word might is used in this verse.  Regarding the two instances of the phrase the mountain of Bashan in this verse, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what mountain in particular in the region Bashan is referenced by those phrases.  In that regard, those phrases could possibly refer to a mountain range rather than to an individual mountain.  

Regarding the two em dashes in this verse, this verse is written elliptically; it lacks verbs.  Also, the structure of this verse involves parallelism.  In that regard, the mountain of Bashan is referenced twice, and a characteristic of the mountain of Bashan is referenced before each instance of the mountain of Bashan being referenced.  That parallelism provides context for the translation of the Hebrew noun that is translated as “might” in this verse.  Also providing context for the translation of the Hebrew noun that is translated as “might” in this verse is the content of the next verse.  In that regard, the content of the next verse contrasts Mount Zion [ZIGH-uhn] with the mountain of Bashan.  Zion is the mountain on which Jerusalem is located.  

Inside the square brackets below, the letters i.e. are used to represent the phrase that is.  The two letters are an abbreviation for the Latin words id est, which mean “that is.”  When one reads those two letters, one can either say, “eye ee” or “that is.”  If one is reading out loud, and if any hearers of that reading are unaware of what the letters i.e. represent, it is best to say “that is.”  Also, the letters i.e. need to be followed by a comma.  

Regarding the Hebrew noun that is translated as “might” in this verse, that Hebrew noun is אֱלֹהִים [pronounced el-oh-HEEM and can be transliterated in this context as 'elohiym].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  Depending on the context, אֱלֹהִים could refer to false gods, to angels, to human rulers or judges, or to the Godhead [i.e., the Trinity].  When referring to the Godhead, אֱלֹהִים is transliterated as 'Elohiym with a capital E.  The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness.  That is the sense in which the word 'elohiym is used in this verse.  In that regard, absent from this verse and the surrounding verses are any references to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges.  Also, the content of the next verse contrasts Mount Zion with the mountain of Bashan.  In that regard, the content of the next verse references Mount Zion as being the mountain of 'Elohiym / the Godhead.  Because that verse references Mount Zion as being the mountain of 'Elohiym / the Godhead and because that verse contrasts Mount Zion with the mountain of Bashan, it is logical to conclude that the mountain of Bashan is a mountain other than the mountain of 'Elohiym / the Godhead.  

Regarding Davidʼs use of the word 'elohiym in verse 15 and Davidʼs use of the word 'Elohiym in verse 16, it is possible that Davidʼs use of that wording involves a play on words in which the word 'elohiym in verse 15 calls attention to the mightiness of the mountain of Bashan and the word 'Elohiym in verse 16 calls attention to Mount Zion being associated with the Trinity.  Such a play on words can call attention to the fact that God the Father uses what is lowly according to the viewpoint of the world.  In that regard, the viewpoint of the world can be referred to as human viewpoint.  The term human viewpoint refers to any viewpoint that deviates from the Word of God.  In contrast, the term divine viewpoint refers to the viewpoint of the Trinity.  All three Members of the Trinity have the same viewpoint.  Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can learn divine viewpoint by learning the Word of God.  Therefore, divine viewpoint is the viewpoint that comes from a proper understanding of the Word of God.  With human-viewpoint thinking, a person has unrealistic expectations regarding life.  Such a person is divorced from reality.  

Psalm 68:16

Why do you look with envy, O mountains with peaks, at the mountain which 'Elohiym / the Godhead has desired for His abode / dwelling place?  Surely, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One dwells forever.

Note:  Rather than Zion being significant because of its shape, Zion is significant because God the Father chose it.  The reference to mountains being envious of Mount Zion is personification, and that personification calls attention to the significance of Mount Zion.  

Psalm 68:17

The chariot team / chariots of 'Elohiym / the Godhead—twice ten thousand, thousands of changes/iterations/repetitions.  'Adonay / the Lord is among them, Sinai, in holiness.

Note:  The content of this verse references angels that were present with God the Son at Mount Sinai when the Israelites were there during the time that the Israelites were in the wilderness after the Exodus.  The topic of the angels being present at Mount Sinai during the time that the Israelites were in the wilderness after the Exodus is covered in Deuteronomy 33:2.  The chariot reference in this verse involves vehicles used by the angels.  

In this verse, the Hebrew noun that is translated as “chariot team” or “chariots” is רֶכֶב [pronounced REH-kehv and can be transliterated as rekeb], which is an inflected form of the root word רֶכֶב [pronounced REH-kehv and can be transliterated as rekeb].  The singular form of rekeb can be used as a collective singular in order to reference a collection of chariots.  The singular form of rekeb can also be used to refer to a chariot team—in other words, a military unit consisting of multiple charioteers and their chariots.  Regardless of whether David uses rekeb in this verse to refer to the vehicles of angels or to a unit of angels and their vehicles, the content of this verse calls attention to a large number of vehicles used by angels.  

Regarding the phrase twice ten thousand in this verse, that phrase might literally refer to twenty thousand, or that phrase might refer to an unspecified large number of thousands.  Regarding the phrase thousands of changes/iterations/repetitions in this verse, that phrase might refer to multiplying twenty thousand by a thousand—resulting in twenty million—that phrase might be a reemphasis of there being twenty thousand with a calling of attention to such a quantity involving multiple thousands, or that phrase might be a reemphasis of there being an unspecified large number of thousands.  Regardless of how the phrases twice ten thousand and thousands of changes/iterations/repetitions are used in this verse, the content of this verse calls attention to the fact that a large number of angels accompanied the Lord.  

Psalm 68:18

You have ascended on high.  You have taken captive captivity.  You have received gifts among men, even the rebellious, for the dwelling of Jah / Yah / I am I am / existing One 'Elohiym / Godhead.

Note:  In this verse, David is speaking to God the Son.  The Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son.  In that regard, it is possible that David was unaware that the Savior would be known as the Lord Jesus Christ.  

As mentioned in the notes for verse 5, God the Son was manifested as the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant.  In that regard, Davidʼs reference to God the Son ascending on high might be a reference to the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem on Mount Zion.  Also, Davidʼs reference to God the Son ascending on high might be a double reference, even if David was unaware that there was a double reference involved.  In that regard, Davidʼs reference to God the Son ascending on high might be a prophecy about the Lord Jesus Christ ascending to Heaven after the Lord was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, was then buried, and was then resurrected.  

The reference to taking captive captivity is a reference to capturing enemies.  In that regard, the reference to receiving gifts is a reference to the receiving of tribute from captured enemies.  It is possible that Davidʼs reference to taking captive captivity is a reference to God the Son controlling circumstances such that in the time of Davidʼs reign, Israel experienced victory over Israelʼs enemies.  Also, it is possible that Davidʼs reference to receiving gifts is a reference to the tribute given to Israel by Israelʼs enemies and is thereby tribute given to God the Son.  In that regard, it is possible that the phrase among men is a reference to the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant being located amongst the Israelites, and it is possible that the phrase even the rebellious references some of the Israelites being rebellious.  Also, it is possible that the phrase for the dwelling of Jah / Yah / I am I am / existing One 'Elohiym / Godhead is a reference to the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant being located amongst the Israelites.  In addition, it is possible that that phrase calls attention to the fact that the Shekinah Glory is the manifestation of a Member of the Trinity.  

As with the referencing to the ascending on high possibly involving a prophecy, so also it is possible that the reference to taking captive captivity and the reference to receiving gifts are prophecies.  In that regard, in the content of Ephesians 4:8, the apostle Paul references content of Psalm 68:18.  Rather than being a quote of Psalm 68:18, the content of Ephesians 4:8 involves references that can call attention to the content of Psalm 68:18.  In the content of Ephesians 4:8, Paul references the Lord Jesus Christ ascending to Heaven, the Lord leading to Heaven a host of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Lord giving spiritual gifts to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Below is content related to Ephesians 4:8.  

Ephesians 4:8

Therefore, it [or He] says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”

Note:  Ephesians 4:8 references Psalm 68:18.  The ascending referenced in this verse refers to the Lord Jesus Christ ascending to Heaven.  As mentioned further above, the Lord ascended to Heaven after the Lord was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity, was then buried, and was then resurrected.  

The captives referenced in verse 8 are believers who had experienced physical death before the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven.  Also, the gifts mentioned in this verse are spiritual gifts.  The men mentioned as having received those gifts are believers.  Those believers are different from the ones mentioned as having been led by the Lord.  Whereas the believers referred to as having been captives led by the Lord are believers who had experienced physical death before the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, the believers referred to as having received gifts from the Lord are physically alive believers.  

Before the Lord Jesus Christʼs resurrection and ascension to Heaven, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ resided in a pleasant compartment of Hades [HAY-deez] called Paradise and also called Abrahamʼs Bosom.  The word Hades comes from Greek.  A synonym for Hades is Sheol [SHEE-ohl].  The word Sheol comes from Hebrew.  Hades/Sheol is somewhere under the surface of the earth in a location that is inaccessible to those humans who have not yet experienced physical death.  

Hades/Sheol is different from the Lake of Fire.  The Lake of Fire is the place of judgment for the fallen angels and those who have had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior but never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior.  For each person who at some time in that personʼs life has the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, the age of that person when that person first had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior can be referred to as the age of accountability of that person.  The age of accountability varies for each individual person.  

Content in 2 Samuel 12:23 indicates that a person who dies before that person has reached the age of accountability receives eternal life.  The content of that verse references King David recognizing that when David died, he would be with his son who had died as a baby.  Below is content related to 2 Samuel 12:22–23.  

Note:  In the below content of 2 Samuel 12:22, the pronoun he refers to David.  

2 Samuel 12:22

Then he says, “While the child was still alive, I have fasted, and I weep, for I have said, ‘Who knows?  Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has been gracious to me, and the child has lived.’  

Note:  The uses of a present tense in the verb says and the verb weep reference what has occurred in the past.  Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect.  In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.  

2 Samuel 12:23

“However, now he has died; why should I fast?  Am I able to bring him back again?  I am going to him, but he does not return to me.”  

Note:  David indicated that he recognized that he would later be with his son who had died as a baby.  In that regard, David indicated that he recognized that the means by which David would be with that deceased son involved David going to be with that deceased son when David would die rather than that deceased son coming back to be with David before David died.  David is eternally saved; therefore, the content of this verse indicates that Davidʼs son who had died as a baby is also eternally saved.  

Unspecified in the Bible is the location of the Lake of Fire.  Hades/Sheol can also be referred to as the netherworld.  Also, the phrase the netherworld can alternatively be spelled as the nether world.  The word nether means “located down or below.”  

After the Lord was resurrected and He ascended to Heaven, the believers who were in Abrahamʼs Bosom were transferred to Heaven.  Now that the Lord has been resurrected and has ascended to Heaven, deceased believers go to Heaven rather than going to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred to Abrahamʼs Bosom other than the content of Luke 16:22 mentioning angels carrying the poverty-stricken believer named Lazarus to Abrahamʼs Bosom.  Also, unspecified in the Bible are details about how believers were transferred from Abrahamʼs Bosom to Heaven or how believers are transferred to Heaven.  In Ephesians 4:8, the phrase WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES refers to the transfer of the believers from Abrahamʼs Bosom to Heaven.  

Deceased unbelievers resided and still reside in a compartment of Hades called Torments.  They will reside there until the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers, which will occur after the Lordʼs 1,000-year Millennial reign on the earth.  The unbelievers will then be cast into the Lake of Fire.  Satan and the other fallen angels will also be cast into the Lake of Fire.  Another compartment of Hades is Tartarus, which is where those fallen angels who mated with human females—as mentioned in Genesis 6—are currently incarcerated.  

Paradise / Abrahamʼs Bosom is referenced in Luke 16:19–22.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:19–22

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.  Also, a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores and longing to be fed with the things which were falling from the rich manʼs table.  Nevertheless, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abrahamʼs bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.”

Torments is referenced in Luke 16:23–26.  The words of the Lord Jesus Christ are in red.  

Luke 16:23–26

“In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and sees* Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.  Then he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue because I am in agony in this flame.’  Nevertheless, Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things and likewise Lazarus bad things.  Nevertheless, now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  Also, in all these things, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and none may cross over from there to us.’”

*Note:  The word sees is in the Greek historical present tense.  By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.  

Tartarus and the context of the judgment of the angels who mated with human females are referenced in 2 Peter 2:4–5.  

2 Peter 2:4–5

Indeed, if God did not spare—and He indeed did not spare—angels when they sinned but cast them into Tartarus and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment, and did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher [or herald] of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; 

Note:  In 2 Peter 2:4, the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek verb that is translated as “cast them into Tartarus” is ταρταρώσας [pronounced tar-tah-ROH-sahs and transliterated as tartarōsas].  That verb is an inflected form of the root word ταρταρόω [pronounced tar-tah-RAH-oh and transliterated as tartaroō].  The verb tartaroō is derived from the Greek noun Τάρταρος [pronounced TAHR-tah-rahs and transliterated as Tartaros], which can be translated as “Tartarus.”  The English noun Tartarus is also derived from the Greek noun Tartaros.  

Regarding terminology, when people use the word hell, they might be referring to Hades/Sheol, and they might be referring to the Lake of Fire.  Also, it is possible that some people are unaware that Hades and the Lake of Fire are different locations.  There are zero indications in the Bible that Satan has a headquarters located in Hades or in the Lake of Fire.  

As mentioned further above, after the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers, the unbelievers will then be cast into the Lake of Fire.  Also as mentioned further above, Satan and the other fallen angels will also be cast into the Lake of Fire.  The Eternal State will then begin.  In the Eternal State, the Lord Jesus Christ will rule in the new Jerusalem, which will be above the new earth.  

With regard to the Millennium, below is a synopsis of human history as categorized into time periods known as dispensations.  In the below synopsis, there is the term hypostatic union [high-PUH-stat-ick YOON-yuhn].  This refers to the Lord Jesus Christ being 100% Deity and 100% humanity.  The English word hypostatic is derived from the Koine [KOI-nay] Greek word ὑπόστασις [pronounced hoo-PAH-stah-sees and transliterated as hypostasis].  After the Lord Jesus Christ was judged for the sins of humanity, His body was in the grave for three days and three nights.  He was then resurrected, and He was on the earth for forty days after He was resurrected.  He then ascended to Heaven, and ten days after that, the Day of Pentecost [PEN-tih-kahst] occurred.  The Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Church Age.  The word Pentecost is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντηκοστή [pronounced pen-tay-kah-STAY and transliterated as pentēkostē].  That word is derived from the Koine Greek word πεντήκοντα [pronounced pen-TAY-kahn-tah and transliterated as pentēkonta], which means “fifty.”  Therefore, the word Pentecost is derived from the fact that that day occurred fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  In that regard, the Church Age began fifty days after the Lord was resurrected.  The Church Age will end with the Rapture.  The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies.  Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies.  Absent from the Bible is anything specifically indicating the precise date and time when the Rapture will occur, although it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026.  

Regarding the word judgment, the proper way to spell that word is without an e between the dg and the m.  In that regard, the e of the root word judge is dropped when the suffix ment is added to that root word.  The formation of the word judgment is shown below.  

judge −e +ment

= judg +ment

= judgment

Another way to categorize human history is by means of civilizations.  Civilizations begin only with believers.  Regarding the timing of civilizations and dispensations, the first civilization began with Adam and ended on the occasion of the Great Flood (also known as the Flood).  That civilization is known as the antediluvian civilization and the predulivian civilization.  In that regard, the prefixes ante and pre mean “before.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time before the Flood.  Those spellings include antediluvian, ante-diluvian, prediluvian, and pre-diluvian.  

After the Flood, there were only eight believers on the earth:  Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their sonsʼ wives.  With the removal of the unbelievers from the earth on the occasion of the Flood, a new civilization was started.  That civilization is known as the postdiluvian civilization (also known as the postdiluvial civilization).  Regarding the terminology, the prefix post means “after,” and the adjectives diluvian and diluvial mean “having to do with a flood.”  Also, there are various spellings of the adjectives that refer to the time after the Flood.  Those spellings include postdiluvian, post-diluvian, postdiluvial, and post-diluvial.  The postdiluvian civilization will end on the occasion of the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will remove all unbelievers from the earth.  Their removal will be by means of physical death just as the removal of all unbelievers was by means of physical death on the occasion of the Flood.  This is called the Baptism of Fire, which is either a metaphorical description because fire can be used to represent judgment or a literal reference to the use of fire in the judgment of unbelievers on the occasion of the Second Advent.  The Baptism of Fire is referenced in Matthew 3:11–12; Luke 3:15–17; and 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.  

Just as a new civilization started after the Flood, so also a new civilization will start after the Baptism of Fire.  That civilization is called the Millennium.  The Millennium is both a civilization and a dispensation.  The Eternal State is also both a civilization and a dispensation.  

The content of Psalm 68:18 is repeated below for reference.  

Psalm 68:18

You have ascended on high.  You have taken captive captivity.  You have received gifts among men, even the rebellious, for the dwelling of Jah / Yah / I am I am / existing One 'Elohiym / Godhead.

Psalm 68:19

Blessed is 'Adonay / the Lord.  He daily bears our burden.  'El [AYL] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs or God the Sonʼs power] is our Deliverance/Salvation.  Selah.

Note:  In the context of this verse, the verb Blessed refers to being worthy of adoration.  As mentioned in the notes for verse 7, the word Selah refers to singers resting and instruments playing on.  This is a picture of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ resting from worrying in the believerʼs thinking while the grace of God the Father continues on.  

The Hebrew word translated as “Deliverance/Salvation” in this verse is יְשׁוּעָתֵ [pronounced yesh-oo-ah-TAY and can be transliterated as Yeshuw`ahthe and Yeshu`ahthe and Yeshuahthe], which is an inflected form of the root word יְשׁוּעָה [pronounced yesh-OO-ah and can be transliterated as yeshuw`ah and yeshu`ah and yeshuah].  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  The Hebrew word yeshuah can be transliterated into Koine [KOI-nay] Greek as Ἰησοῦς [pronounced ee-ay-SOOS and transliterated as Iēsous].  In that regard, the use of yeshuah foreshadowed the Koine Greek name Iēsous.  The correspondence between yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה) and Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) is listed below.  

Regarding the use of the Koine Greek letter ς [SIG-muh] to transliterate the Hebrew letter ה [HAY], below are examples of such usage.  (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.)  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of אֵלִיָּה (Elijah) to result in Ἠλίας (Elias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of יִרְמְיָה (Jeremiah) to result in Ἰερεμίας (Jeremias).  

• The letter ς [SIG-muh] is used to transliterate the letter ה [HAY] at the end of זְכַרְיָה (Zechariah) to result in Ζαχαρίας (Zacharias).  

The Koine Greek name Iēsous is used in the New Testament to refer to the Lord Jesus Christ.  That Koine Greek name is the name from which the English name Jesus is derived.  The correspondence between Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς) and Jesus is listed below.  

Psalm 68:20

'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs or God the Sonʼs power] is to us an 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs or God the Sonʼs power] of deliverances, and to Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One 'Adonay / the Lord:  escapes from death.

Psalm 68:21

Surely, 'Elohiym / the Godhead shatters the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.

Psalm 68:22

'Adonay / the Lord has said, “I deliver again from Bashan.  I deliver again from the depths of the sea, 

Note:  It is possible that in the content of this verse, David references past victories experienced by Israelites metaphorically occurring again.  In that regard, while Moses was leading the Israelites after the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites experienced victory in warfare involving people living in the region Bashan.  Before that, the Israelites experienced victory when they were delivered from the forces of Egypt at the Sea of Reeds [also referred to as the Red Sea].  

Regarding the Israelitesʼ victory in warfare involving people living in the region Bashan, the people there were led by a giant human named Og [OHG], who was an Amorite king of Bashan.  Regarding Og being a giant, it is possible that he was larger than Goliath, the giant whom David slew many years after the time of Og.  In that regard, the content of 1 Samuel 17:4 indicates that Goliath was approximately 9 feet and 9 inches tall, and the content of Deuteronomy 3:11 indicates that the bed frame or couch of Og was approximately 13 feet and 6 inches long.  Regarding the size of Ogʼs bed frame or couch, it is possible that that piece of furniture was longer than Og was tall.  Regarding the measurements, the units of measure given in 1 Samuel 17:4 are the cubit, which is approximately 18 inches, and the span, which is approximately 9 inches.  The unit of measure given in Deuteronomy 3:11 is the cubit.  

The content of Deuteronomy 3:1–12 references the Israelites defeating Og and his people.  The content of Numbers 21:31–35 also covers that topic.  The content of Exodus 14 covers the topic of the Israelites being delivered from the forces of Egypt at the Sea of Reeds when the Israelites crossed on dry land between the parted waters of that sea.  

Psalm 68:23

so that your foot smashes in blood—the tongue of your dogs its portion from enemies.”

Note:  Either the content of this verse refers to the literal smashing of enemies that dogs then lick, or the content of this verse metaphorically refers to the defeat of enemies.  

Psalm 68:24

They have seen Your goings, O 'Elohiym/Godhead—the goings of my 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs or God the Sonʼs power], my King, in holiness / into the Holy Place / into the Sanctuary.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is to whom the pronoun They refers.  Regarding the two instances of the word goings in this verse, it is possible that the content of this verse refers to the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant while the Ark was being transported.  If the content of this verse does indeed reference the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant, then the word 'El would refer to God the Son.  

Regarding the phrase in holiness, if the content of this verse does indeed reference the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant, then it is possible that the content of this verse references the Shekinah Glory and the Ark of the Covenant while the Ark was being transported.  Regarding the phrase into the Holy Place and the phrase into the Sanctuary, if the content of this verse does indeed reference the Shekinah Glory above the Ark of the Covenant, then it is possible that the content of this verse references the Shekinah Glory and the Ark of the Covenant entering the Tabernacle.  The Tabernacle was a tent structure, one third of which was behind a veil near the back of the Tabernacle.  The section of the Tabernacle outside the veil is known as the Holy Place.  The section of the Tabernacle behind the veil is known as the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, or the Holy Place inside the veil.  In the Holy of Holies was the Ark of the Covenant (also known as the Ark of the Testimony).  

The below link shows the cross-shaped layout of the items in the Tabernacle and in the associated courtyard with the eastward direction pointing downward.  The opening of the courtyard and the opening of the Tabernacle both faced eastward, which is the direction where the sun rises.  With the eastward direction pointing downward, the cross-like layout can be seen from the perspective of an upright cross.  

https://NETBible.org/media/images/constable/02Exo-5.jpg

Only the high priest of Israel could enter the Holy of Holies, and he could only do so on one day per year:  the Day of Atonement.  Because the Israelites lived a nomadic lifestyle at times, the Tabernacle and the contents thereof needed to be moved.  It is unspecified in the Bible how the Tabernacle was disassembled.  When it was disassembled, the Ark of the Covenant would be visible to the Israelites and any other onlookers.  Also, the Ark of the Covenant was carried into battle by the Israelites.  The Ark of the Covenant would be visible to the Israelites and any other onlookers on such occasions also.  

When the Tabernacle was assembled, if anyone other than the high priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies, that person would die.  Likewise, if the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on any day other than the Day of Atonement, he would die.  In addition, when the high priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had to follow specific procedures; otherwise, he would die.  Leviticus 16 covers the matter of the high priest and entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.  In that regard, Mosesʼs brother Aaron was the first high priest of Israel.  Also, in Leviticus 16, the Holy of Holies is referred to as the Holy Place inside the veil.  

Psalm 68:25

The singers have gone in front—the musicians playing instruments after, among the maidens / young women playing tophs [TOHFS] / timbrels [musical instruments similar to tambourines].

Psalm 68:26

In congregations/assemblies, bless 'Elohiym / the Godhead, Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One—from/of the fountain of Israel.

Note:  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is who or what is from/of the fountain of Israel.  Regardless of who or what is from/of the fountain of Israel, David encourages praising God the Father.  

Psalm 68:27

There is Benjamin, the smallest, ruling them, the chiefs / princes / head men of Judah—their throng—the chiefs / princes / head men of Zebulun, the chiefs / princes / head men of Naphtali.

Note:  The content of this verse references four of the tribes of Israel.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is why David references the tribe of Benjamin ruling.  If David composed this psalm before David became the king of Israel, then Davidʼs reference to the tribe of Benjamin ruling could be a reference to the fact that King Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin.  In that regard, rather than David indicating that the entire tribe of Benjamin was ruling over the other Israelites, David could be using metonymy [meh-TAHN-uh-mee], which is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another word or phrase with which the substituting word or phrase is closely associated.  If David was using the reference to the tribe of Benjamin metonymically [meh-tuh-NIM-ik-uh-lee], then David would be using the reference to the tribe of Benjamin in order to refer to King Saul.  

If David composed this psalm while David was the king of Israel, then Davidʼs reference to the tribe of Benjamin ruling could be a reference to members of the tribe of Benjamin leading a parade of Israelites.  The next tribe that David references in this verse is the tribe of Judah.  That is the tribe of which David was a member.  In that regard, if David composed this psalm while David was the king of Israel, then it is possible that David references the tribe of Benjamin first because the first king of Israel was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, and it is possible that David references the tribe of Judah second because the second king of Israel was a member of the tribe of Judah.  Also, it is possible that David references the tribe of Benjamin first out of politeness because the first king of Israel was a member of the tribe of Benjamin, and it is possible that David references the tribe of Judah second because the tribe of Judah was the tribe of which David was a member.  

It is possible that David references the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali because those tribes were involved in the defeat of the Canaanites that were led by Sisera, the commander of the army of the Canaanite king Jabin.  In that regard, the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali are mentioned positively in Judges 4:6 and Judges 4:10.  The content of those verses references ten thousand  men from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali fighting against the Canaanite forces led by Sisera.  

Psalm 68:28

Your 'Elohiym/Godhead has commanded your strength [some manuscripts read O 'Elohiym/Godhead, command Your strength].  Show Yourself strong, O 'Elohiym/Godhead, Who has acted for us.

Note:  Regarding the first sentence of this verse, it is possible that either David is indicating that God the Father wanted the Israelites to be strong or that David was asking God the Father to use God the Fatherʼs strength to help the Israelites.  Regardless of which of those David is indicating in that sentence, David indicates in the second sentence that David wanted God the Father to use God the Fatherʼs strength to help the Israelites.  Also, David indicates in the second sentence that David recognized that God the Father had helped the Israelites in the past.  

Psalm 68:29

Because of Your Temple at Jerusalem, kings bring gifts to You.

Note:  The content of this verse is a prophecy because the First Temple was built after David physically died.  Davidʼs son Solomon, the third king of Israel, had the First Temple built.  That Temple can also be called Solomonʼs Temple.  Many years later, in 586 B.C., the First Temple was destroyed by the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon.  Later, the Second Temple was built.  It was eventually larger than the First Temple.  The Second Temple existed during the time of the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Second Temple can also be called Herodʼs Temple because King Herod, the ruler of Judea under the authority of the Romans, had construction work done in order to expand the Second Temple.  In the First Temple, there was a wall between the inner courtyard and the outer courtyard.  Gentiles were only permitted in the outer courtyard.  The Second Temple was larger than the one that Solomon had people build.  That Temple also had courtyards.  

Regarding the content of this verse being a prophecy, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is the time period that is referenced in this verse.  In that regard, it is possible that this prophecy references the time period of King Solomon, and it is possible that this prophecy references the time period of the Millennium, which is the 1,000-year period during which the Lord Jesus Christ will be reigning on the earth.  It is also possible that that prophecy references both of those time periods.  

Psalm 68:30

Rebuke the beast of the reed, the assembly of bulls with the calves of the peoples, trampling pieces of silver / humbling himself with pieces of silver.  He has scattered/dispersed the peoples; they delight in wars/battles.

Note:  It is possible that the content of this verse references multiple groups of people who either militarily oppose the Israelites or who could potentially militarily oppose the Israelites.  In that regard, it is possible that David compares such people to a particular type of animal.  In that regard, the hippopotamus is an animal that is typically located amongst reeds.  Also, hippopotami can be assembled in groups that can include bull hippos and calf hippos.  A comparison involving people compared to hippopotami can call attention to the mightiness of those people.  

Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether the content of this verse references the trampling of pieces of silver or the bringing of silver by people who are humbling themselves by bringing it.  If the content of this verse references the trampling of pieces of silver, then it is possible that David is indicating that some enemies of the Israelites destroy treasures rather than taking those treasures.  If the content of this verse references the bringing of silver by people who are humbling themselves by bringing it, then it is possible that David is indicating that people of various nations bring tribute payments either to the Israelites or to God the Son—or both.  If David is indicating that people of various nations bring tribute payments to God the Son, then content of this verse would involve a prophecy about people of various nations bringing tribute payments to the Lord Jesus Christ during the Millennium.  In that regard, David did not necessarily know what the Lordʼs name would be.  

The pronoun He in this verse refers to either God the Father or God the Son.  In that regard, each Member of the Trinity performs a different role.  Regarding the roles of the Members of the Trinity, God the Father does the planning, God the Son executes the plan, and God the Holy Spirit reveals the plan.  The reference to the scattering/dispersing of people refers to people who delight in wars/battles.  In that regard, David credits either God the Father or God the Son with the defeat of the enemies of the Israelites.  By giving credit to a Member of the Trinity, David expresses an attitude of humility.  Such an attitude of humility on the part of David contrasts with an attitude of braggadocio in which a person claims that only he can deliver people from enemies.  

Psalm 68:31

Envoys / Wealthy men / Princes come out of Egypt.  Cush quickly brings his hands to 'Elohiym / the Godhead.

Note:  Egypt was and still is located west of Israel.  Where the land Cush was located is uncertain.  It is possible that it was located south of Egypt.  The Cushites were descended from a grandson of Noah.  That grandson was named Cush.  The father of Cush was Ham.  

Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what the phrase brings his hands to references.  It is possible that it refers to bringing tribute payments.  It is also possible that it refers to praying.  Regardless of to what that phrase refers, content of this verse references Gentiles showing respect for God the Father.  

Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is what time period David is referencing in this verse.  David might be referencing multiple time periods.  In that regard, David might be referencing the time period of Davidʼs reign, the time period of Solomonʼs reign, the time period or time periods of the reign or reigns of one or more ancient Israelite kings after the time of Solomon, the 1,000-year Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, or some combination thereof.  

Psalm 68:32

Sing to 'Elohiym / the Godhead, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to 'Adonay / the Lord.  Selah.

Note:  As mentioned in the notes for verse 7 and the notes for verse 19, the word Selah refers to singers resting and instruments playing on.  This is a picture of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ resting from worrying in the believerʼs thinking while the grace of God the Father continues on.  

Psalm 68:33

To Him Who rides upon the heavens, heavens of old:  behold, He gives forth with His voice, a mighty voice.

Note:  It is possible that Davidʼs use of the phrase heavens, heavens of old is a reference to the fact that the heavens preexisted mankind.  Unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether the phrase rides upon the heavens is a literal reference or a metaphorical reference.  If it is a literal reference, then that phrase might refer to God the Son traveling through the atmosphere of the earth or through outer space or both.  Also, unspecified in this verse and the surrounding verses is whether the noun voice is a literal reference or a metaphorical reference.  If it is a metaphorical reference, it is possible that it refers to thunder.  

Regardless of whether the phrase rides upon the heavens is a literal reference or a metaphorical reference and whether the noun voice is a literal reference or a metaphorical reference, the content of this verse calls attention to God the Father.  In that regard, David expresses an attitude of humility by focusing on a Member of the Trinity.  Such an attitude of humility contrasts with an attitude of braggadocio that focuses on oneself.  

Psalm 68:34

Ascribe strength to 'Elohiym / the Godhead.  His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds.

Note:  It is possible that content of this verse indicates that the power of God the Father is revealed by means of clouds.  In that regard, it is possible that the phrase His majesty is over Israel is a reference to clouds in the sky over Israel.  It is possible that the phrase His strength is in the clouds is a reference to the power of God the Father revealed by means of storm clouds.  In that regard, storm clouds involve manifestations of power in the form of rainfall, thunder, and lightning.  

Regardless of what David is referencing by means of the phrase His majesty is over Israel and the phrase His strength is in the clouds, the content of this verse calls attention to the strength and majesty of God the Father.  In that regard, David expresses an attitude of humility by calling attention to the strength and majesty of God the Father.  Such an attitude of humility contrasts with an attitude of braggadocio in which a person tries to get others to think of that person as strong and majestic.  

Psalm 68:35

Awesome, O 'Elohiym/Godhead, from Your Sanctuaries / Holy Places—the 'El/God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] of Israel Himself, giving strength and power to the people.  Blessed is 'Elohiym / the Godhead!

Note:  It is possible that the phrase Sanctuaries / Holy Places refers to the Tabernacle and the location of the throne room of God the Father.  Also, rather than David referring to Himself as awesome, he refers to the Trinity as awesome.  In addition, David calls attention to God the Father giving strength and power to the Israelites.  

David killed the giant Goliath.  Instead of David bragging about that or about anything else involving himself, David calls attention to the Trinity in this psalm.  A person who brags about himself or herself calls attention to himself or herself.  Such a person has a grandiose view of himself or herself and craves attention.  Rather than such a person being a person of God, such a person reflects the self-centeredness of Satan.  The man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation is such a person.  

The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast.  The false prophet is also known as the second beast.  The false prophet will be supporting the Antichrist.  Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12.  The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet.  The content of Revelation 17:8 references the king of the West being in power, out of power, and then back in power.  The content of Revelation 13:4 references the king of the West as being perceived as being so powerful as to be invincible.  The content of Revelation 6:2 indicates that the king of the West will seem to be a hero riding on a white horse.  In contrast, the content of Revelation 19:11 references the Lord Jesus Christ on a white horse on the occasion of the Second Advent.  Unspecified in the Bible is whether the Lord will be riding a literal horse or a vehicle that from the perspective of the apostle John could be described as a horse, including a flying vehicle that might resemble a flying motorcycle.  In that regard, the visions that John had were described by John with words that were part of Johnʼs vocabulary.  Regarding the content of Revelation 6:2, the ruler of the most powerful western nation during the Tribulation will be an evil man who seems to be a hero.  In that regard, he is a pseudo-savior—in other words, a false savior.  

The man who is king of the West during the Tribulation is a man who focuses on adoration of himself.  Regarding adoration, the verb Blessed in Psalm 68:35 refers to being worthy of adoration.  In contrast with the king of the West, who focuses on adoration of himself, David finishes Psalm 68 with a focus on the fact that the Trinity is worthy of adoration.  

Sincerely,

John