Psalm 68:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."

NIV: that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."

NASB: So that your foot may shatter them in blood, And the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.'

CSB: so that your foot may wade in blood and your dogs’ tongues may have their share from the enemies."

NLT: You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!'

KJV: That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

NKJV: That your foot may crush them in blood, And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

Psalm 68:19–27 celebrates God's provision of victory. It also looks to future success against those who reject the Lord. The psalm imagines a victorious march into Zion: into the sanctuary of the temple. There, the Lord is praised by all the people, accompanied by music and celebration.

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 5:39:36 AM