Psalm 68:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel — he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

NIV: You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

NASB: God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!

CSB: God, you are awe-inspiring in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

NLT: God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

KJV: O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

NKJV: O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

Psalm 68:28–35 echoes themes seen in psalms 66 and 67. In elaborate terms, the psalm describes the Lord ruling and being honored by the entire world. The people of earth are encouraged to acknowledge God's incredible power and magnificence. This serves as both an invitation and a prophecy about the far future when the Lord will directly rule earth, from earth.

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 11/21/2024 10:09:31 AM