Psalm 68:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!

NIV: May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

NASB: As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before a fire, So the wicked will perish before God.

CSB: As smoke is blown away, so you blow them away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.

NLT: Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.

KJV: As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

NKJV: As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Psalm 68:1–6 sets the tone for the entire psalm. Using ornate language, the God of Israel is described as an unstoppable force. He conquers and overcomes anyone who opposes Him. In contrast, those who seek God's righteousness will celebrate. This transitions into a call for worship and a reminder that God is for the disadvantaged and opposed to those who defy Him.

Prior psalms (Psalm 66—67) explored the idea of the Lord God of Israel being worshipped by the entire world, including the Gentile nations. Psalm 68 includes that idea, as well as a celebration of God's prior victories on Israel's behalf. The song uses dramatic imagery to praise God's power and grandeur. Mount Zion—the location of Jerusalem—is where the Lord chooses for His seat of power. The entire world should honor this; one day, the whole earth will do just that.

This psalm commemorates God's ascension to Mount Zion, another reference to the city of Jerusalem. This celebrates past and future victories won by the power of the Lord. It may be a general reference to Israel's success, or to the conquests of king David. Alternatively, the song might celebrate when David moved the ark of the covenant into the city (2 Samuel 6). Or, when he captured the site from the Jebusites (2 Samuel 5). The psalm is "of David," which may mean it is written in his style, or about his experiences, rather than being one he personally wrote.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/23/2024 4:16:31 PM