Psalms 68
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OR SONG OF DAVID
[Psalms 68:1] LET GOD ARISE, LET HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED: LET THEM ALSO
THAT HATE HIM FLEE BEFORE HIM.
Those that hate Israel and/or Judah hate the God of Israel.
Anti-Semites are enemies of the Almighty!
[Psalms 68:2] 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.
May all the enemies of the State of Israel and of the Jewish People and of
Israelite nations be destroyed.
This list unfortunately accounts for much of the rest of the world.
[Psalms 68:3] BUT LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD; LET THEM REJOICE BEFORE
GOD: YEA, LET THEM EXCEEDINGLY REJOICE.
Righteousness requires a love of the Jewish People and of the Israelite
Nations.
[Psalms 68:4] SING UNTO GOD, SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME: EXTOL HIM THAT RIDETH
UPON THE HEAVENS BY HIS NAME JAH, AND REJOICE BEFORE HIM.
"JAH" (pronounced "Yah") is one of the names of God.
Quite often people ask us questions concerning the "names" of God.
We usually try to avoid giving an answer which may upset those posing the
question.
We began to prepare an article on the subject.
The Jewish Practice of avoiding the use of Biblical Hebrew names for the
Almighty in our time has in our eyes some justification but at present we
would rather avoid a discussion of the matter. We ourselves have not
sufficiently yet learnt the sources.
[Psalms 68:5] A FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS, AND A JUDGE OF THE WIDOWS, IS GOD
IN HIS HOLY HABITATION.
God looks after the weak and vulnerable.
We should all be sensitive to others. Under conditions of pressure etc this
is not always so easy as it might sound. Nevertheless the Almighty and our
innate Divinely-created instincts require it.
[Psalms 68:6] GOD SETTETH THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES: HE BRINGETH OUT THOSE
WHICH ARE BOUND WITH CHAINS: BUT THE REBELLIOUS DWELL IN A DRY LAND.
<<GOD SETTETH THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES>> In Hebrew this can be translated
as "He brings the single ones home". The Mairi explains it to refer to those
who are scattered in Exile who will be brought back to Israel.
The first part of this verse is traditionally understood to mean that the
Almighty is the Ultimate Matchmaker. People who are not married are in
effect "in chains".
<<WHICH ARE BOUND WITH CHAINS>>: Marriage involves responsibility but it
can also liberate and completes a person.
This expression in the Hebrew can also be translated as, HE BRINGS THEM
FORTH BOUND IN CHAINS and the Midrash explains it to mean that sometimes
people are married against their will as if a Superior Force is driving
them.
[Psalms 68:7] O GOD, WHEN THOU WENTEST FORTH BEFORE THY PEOPLE, WHEN THOU
DIDST MARCH THROUGH THE WILDERNESS; SELAH:
[Psalms 68:8] THE EARTH SHOOK, THE HEAVENS ALSO DROPPED AT THE PRESENCE OF
GOD: EVEN SINAI ITSELF WAS MOVED AT THE PRESENCE OF GOD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL.
[Psalms 68:9] THOU, O GOD, DIDST SEND A PLENTIFUL RAIN, WHEREBY THOU DIDST
CONFIRM THINE INHERITANCE, WHEN IT WAS WEARY.
When God helps us He confirms His Presence and concern for us.
[Psalms 68:10] THY CONGREGATION HATH DWELT THEREIN: THOU, O GOD, HAST
PREPARED OF THY GOODNESS FOR THE POOR.
Fievel Meltser ("Pnei Sefer Tehilim") quotes modern sources that consider
this Psalm the most difficult of all the Psalms to explain.
Professor Albright is quoted as considering this Psalm a collection of
extracts from other songs and poems of the period, presumably set to music.
This would make it not necessarily a coherent whole but rather a kind of
ensemble of inspirational verses.
[Psalms 68:11] THE LORD GAVE THE WORD: GREAT WAS THE COMPANY OF THOSE THAT
PUBLISHED IT.
In its own way Brit-Am also tries to spread the word of The Almighty.
[Psalms 68:12] KINGS OF ARMIES DID FLEE APACE: AND SHE THAT TARRIED AT HOME
DIVIDED THE SPOIL.
In those days kings used to go forth to battle often taking with them all
their gold and jewellery.
It was felt that an exhibition of wealth somehow added to the feeling of
power and ability.
The result was that when kings fought with each other the victors would
obtain an immediate access to wealth and booty.
The verse describes a case where kings went forth to battle but then fled
from each other due to a false rumor or other cause of panic. Such events
did occur.
The woman who dwelt nearby but had stayed at home until then was able to go
forth and pick out what she wished from the gold and finery.
This can also be considered a parable to the effect that God sometimes takes
from the proud and haughty and gives to the humble and low.
[Psalms 68:13] THOUGH YE HAVE LIEN AMONG THE POTS, YET SHALL YE BE AS THE
WINGS OF A DOVE COVERED WITH SILVER, AND HER FEATHERS WITH YELLOW GOLD.
<<POTS>>: The word used here for "pots" shophatayim" meaning "two pots".
The singular would be "shpot". It could be derived from "sephat" meaning
"lip". This is the origin of the English word "spout".
[Psalms 68:14] WHEN THE ALMIGHTY SCATTERED KINGS IN IT, IT WAS WHITE AS SNOW
IN SALMON.
[Psalms 68:15] THE HILL OF GOD IS AS THE HILL OF BASHAN; AN HIGH HILL AS THE
HILL OF BASHAN.
"Bashan" as we have proven in "The Tribes" was part of Ancient Israel and
encompassed the region of present-day Syria and part of Iraq.
[Psalms 68:16] WHY LEAP YE, YE HIGH HILLS? THIS IS THE HILL WHICH GOD
DESIRETH TO DWELL IN; YEA, THE LORD WILL DWELL IN IT FOR EVER.
[Psalms 68:17] THE CHARIOTS OF GOD ARE TWENTY THOUSAND, EVEN THOUSANDS OF
ANGELS: THE LORD IS AMONG THEM, AS IN SINAI, IN THE HOLY PLACE.
[Psalms 68:18] THOU HAST ASCENDED ON HIGH, THOU HAST LED CAPTIVITY
CAPTIVE: THOU HAST RECEIVED GIFTS FOR MEN; YEA, FOR THE REBELLIOUS ALSO,
THAT THE LORD GOD MIGHT DWELL AMONG THEM.
[Psalms 68:19] BLESSED BE THE LORD, WHO DAILY LOADETH US WITH BENEFITS, EVEN
THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION. SELAH.
[Psalms 68:20] HE THAT IS OUR GOD IS THE GOD OF SALVATION; AND UNTO GOD
THE LORD BELONG THE ISSUES FROM DEATH.
[Psalms 68:21] BUT GOD SHALL WOUND THE HEAD OF HIS ENEMIES, AND THE HAIRY
SCALP OF SUCH AN ONE AS GOETH ON STILL IN HIS TRESPASSES.
[Psalms 68:22] THE LORD SAID, I WILL BRING AGAIN FROM BASHAN, I WILL BRING
MY PEOPLE AGAIN FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA:
Rashi says this means that the Almighty promises to bring us back from
amongst the Great Bulls of Bashan and from the Isles of the Sea. The
Commentators appear to indicate that the final return will be similar to the
First Exile. Just as the First Exile was partly by sea (as we explained in
our works, "Origin", and "Lost Israelite Identity", see also "The Tribes")
and partly overland from the region of Assyria so too will the return of the
Exile Israelites be from the same direction.
We have mentioned this elsewhere in the light of present events.
See the Brit-Am Commentary to Micah 7:12 http://britam.org/micah.html
[Psalms 68:23] THAT THY FOOT MAY BE DIPPED IN THE BLOOD OF THINE ENEMIES,
AND THE TONGUE OF THY DOGS IN THE SAME.
The Cimmerians in Assyrian Times reportedly used large dogs as a weapon in
their armies.
[Psalms 68:24] THEY HAVE SEEN THY GOINGS, O GOD; EVEN THE GOINGS OF MY GOD,
MY KING, IN THE SANCTUARY.
[Psalms 68:25] THE SINGERS WENT BEFORE, THE PLAYERS ON INSTRUMENTS FOLLOWED
AFTER; AMONG THEM WERE THE DAMSELS PLAYING WITH TIMBRELS.
[Psalms 68:26] BLESS YE GOD IN THE CONGREGATIONS, EVEN THE LORD, FROM THE
FOUNTAIN OF ISRAEL.
<<CONGREGATIONS>>: The Hebrew word used here is "Makhelot" which in
Modern Hebrew means "choir" or "musical band".
Music is very important and worth spending time learning to appreciate or
just listening to.
Studies have been done tracing Anglo-Saxon and Celtic music to Hebrew
origins. We believe there is something in this but the studies have not been
finalised or at the least remain unpublished.
[Psalms 68:27] THERE IS LITTLE BENJAMIN WITH THEIR RULER, THE PRINCES
OF JUDAH AND THEIR COUNCIL, THE PRINCES OF ZEBULUN, AND THE PRINCES
OF NAPHTALI.
<<LITTLE BENJAMIN WITH THEIR RULER>>: This from the Hebrew can also be
rendered as THERE IS BENJAMIN THE YOUNGER SON RULING OVER THEM.
The Radak says this means Benjamin defeats the non-Israelite enemies of the
Hebrew nation. Others say it refers to saul from the Tribe of Benjamin who
ruled over all Israel and is considered the first king of Israel.
AND THEIR COUNCIL: Hebrew "rigmatam" a difficult word and it can
also mean "stone throwing" and refer to Judah having to constantly defend
himself against the slurs and libels of the gutter.
To what this verse is referring to is unknown. Different commentoraries give
divergent explanations.
The Radak says it refers to the situation after the exile of the Ten Tribes
in the days of King Hezekiah whereby Judah and Benjamin were the main tribes
that remained along with a few scattered remnants from the others.
S.R. Hirsch explains the verse as referring to the Jews after they went into
Exile:
<<Judah's spiritual and communal leaders succeeded in coping with the
"stone's thrusts" directed against the very life of Israel, and the princes
of the tribes of Zebulun and Napthali were also successful in these
endeavors to defend their people. When Israel went into exile, however,
tribal distinctions such as the ones mentioned here were obliterated. The
question then arises why such tribal designations are mentioned in these
verses which quite obviously deal with the days when Israel was already in
exile. We may assume that the Psalmist employed these tribal names to
portray those types in Israel which they represented during Israel's life as
a nation upon its own soil, and whose spirit, which they carried along with
them into exile, effectively proved its value to the dispersed nation.
Benjamin always appears as the prototype of small size and physical
weakness.
Judah represents the executive and law-enforcing authority; Zebulun stands
for trade and the cultivation of literature, and Napthali typifies the
talent of oratory (cf. Commentary to Numbers 2:34). We can safely say that
the spirit of communal activity and the observance of the Law, the active
interest in commerce and in the cultivation of literature as well as of the
gift of oratory, all of which Israel took along into dispersion, are among
the prime factors which have at all times successfully counteracted the
disintegrating influences to which Israel has been exposed in exile.>>
We in accordance with the sages understand all these and similar verses as
perhaps having had some prototypical historical significance in the past but
referring primarily to something in the future. All Propheices are to be
understood as being applicable mainly to the End of Times in the Period
leading up to the Messianic Era or the Messianic Era itself.
Benjamin and judah are the present day Jews though important elements from
Benjamin and to a lesser extent Judah were also to be found amongst the Ten
Tribes. Regarding Benjamin we have identified him to some degree with the
Belgae (Walloons of Belgium) and Normans.
Zebulon is Holland and Naphtali was to be found in Norway.
[Psalms 68:28] THY GOD HATH COMMANDED THY STRENGTH: STRENGTHEN, O GOD,
THAT WHICH THOU HAST WROUGHT FOR US.
[Psalms 68:29] BECAUSE OF THY TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM SHALL KINGS BRING PRESENTS
UNTO THEE.
[Psalms 68:30] REBUKE THE COMPANY OF SPEARMEN, THE MULTITUDE OF THE BULLS,
WITH THE CALVES OF THE PEOPLE [Hebrew: "amim" i.e. "peoples"] TILL EVERY ONE
SUBMIT HIMSELF WITH PIECES OF SILVER: SCATTER THOU THE PEOPLE [Hebrew:
"amim" i.e. "peoples"] THAT DELIGHT IN WAR.
[Psalms 68:31] PRINCES SHALL COME OUT OF EGYPT; ETHIOPIA [Hebrew:
Cush] SHALL SOON STRETCH OUT HER HANDS UNTO GOD.
The Aramaic Paraphrse of Targum Yehonatan explains this to mean that mighty
men descended from Ham will come from Mitsrayim (Egypt) and Cush to convert.
The Radak says that they already did so in the time of King Hezekiah.
[Psalms 68:32] SING UNTO GOD, YE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH; O SING PRAISES UNTO
THE LORD; SELAH:
[Psalms 68:33] TO HIM THAT RIDETH UPON THE HEAVENS OF HEAVENS, WHICH WERE OF
OLD; LO, HE DOTH SEND OUT HIS VOICE, AND THAT A MIGHTY VOICE.
[Psalms 68:34] ASCRIBE YE STRENGTH UNTO GOD: HIS EXCELLENCY IS OVER
ISRAEL, AND HIS STRENGTH IS IN THE CLOUDS.
God is glorified through the People of Israel.
[Psalms 68:35] 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.
Israel has strength and power.
This was promised by the Almighty.
This comrpises several of our Proofs of Israelite Identity:
Dominant World Power
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joDominant.html
Military Prowess
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joMilitary.html
Rule Over Other Peoples
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joRule.html
Joseph Defeats Esau
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joEdom.html
Lion and Unicorn
http://www.britam.org/Proof/Joseph/joUnicorn.html
RULE THE WAVES
and be in
MANY WATERS
http://www.britam.org/Proof/geo/geoWaters.html
This Power is given unto Israel by the Almighty.
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