Ver. 1. Let God arise. In some such words Moses spake when the cloud moved onward, and the ark was carried forward. The ark would have been a poor leader if the Lord had not been present with the symbol. Before we move, we should always desire to see the Lord lead the way. The words suppose the Lord to have been passive for awhile, suffering his enemies to rage, but restraining his power. Israel beseeches him to "arise, "as elsewhere to "awake, ""gird on his sword, "and other similar expressions. We, also, may thus importunately cry unto the Lord, that he would be pleased to make bare his arm, and plead his own cause.
Let his enemies be scattered. Our glorious Captain of the vanguard clears the way readily, however many may seek to obstruct it; he has but to arise, and they flee, he has easily over thrown his foes in days of yore, and will do so all through the ages to come. Sin, death, and hell know the terror of his arm; their ranks are broken at his approach. Our enemies are his enemies, and in this is our confidence of victory.
Let them also that hate him flee before him. To hate the infinitely good God is infamous, and the worst punishment is not too severe. Hatred of God is impotent. His proudest foes can do him no injury. Alarmed beyond measure, they shall flee before it comes to blows. Long before the army of Israel can come into the fray, the haters of God shall flee before HIM who is the champion of his chosen. He comes, he sees, he conquers. How fitting a prayer is this for the commencement of a revival! How it suggests the true mode of conducting one: --the Lord leads the way, his people follow, the enemies flee.
NEW TRANSLATION order that our readers may see the Psalm at a glance in a good translation, we subjoin the version of FRANZ DELITZSCH; recommending our ministerial brethren to procure the volumes of his valuable Commentary on the Psalms, issued by the Messrs. CLARK, of Edinburgh.
Psalms 68:1-35
HYMN OF WAR AND VICTORY IN THE STYLE OF DEBORAH
LET Elohim arise, let His enemies be scattered, let those who hate Him flee before His face.
As smoke is driven away, do Thou drive them away; wax melteth before the fire, the wicked perish before Elohim.
And let the righteous rejoice, let them exult before , let them be glad with joy.
Sing unto Elohim, harp His name, a highway for Him who rideth along through the ; is his name, and exult ye before Him.
A Father of the fatherless and an Advocate of the Elohim in His holy habitation.
Elohim maketh a household for the solitary, leadeth forth prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious abide in a land of drought.
Elohim, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, thou didst march along in the wilderness--
Sela.
The earth shook, heavens also dropped before Elohim, Sinai before Elohim, the God of Israel.
With plentiful rain didst Thou, Elohim, water Thine , when it was parched, THOU hast confirmed it.
Thy creatures have settled down therein, didst provide with Thy goodness for the poor, .
The Lord will sound forth the mandate; the women who herald victory there is a great army.
The kings of hosts shall flee, shall flee, she that tarrieth at home, shall divide the spoil.
If ye encamp among the sheep folds, dove's wings are covered with silver her feathers with glistening gold.
When the Almighty scattereth kings therein, becometh snow white upon Zalmon.
A mountain of Elohim is the mountain of Bashan, mountain full of peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
Why look ye enviously, ye many peaked mountains, the mountain which Elohim hath chosen, to dwell ? , Jahve will dwell (there) for ever.
The war chariots of Elohim are myriads, a thousand , Lord is among them, it is a Sinai in holiness.
Thou hast ascended up to the height, Thou hast led captive, hast received gifts among men, from the rebellious, that Jah Elohim might dwell
(there).
Blessed be the Lord: by day doth He bear our burden, , God, is our salvation.
(Sela.)
He, God, is to us a God for deeds of deliverance, Jahve the Lord hath ways of escape for death.
Yea, Elohim will smite the head of His enemies, hairy scalp of him who stalks along in his .
The Lord hath said: Out of Bashan will I bring back, will bring back out of the depths of the sea,
That thou mayest bathe thy foot in blood, the tongue of thy dogs may have its share of the .
They behold Thy splendid procession, Elohim, splendid procession of my God, my King in holiness.
Before went the singers, behind the players on stringed , the midst of damsels striking timbrels.
In the choirs of the congregation bless ye Elohim, Lord, ye who are out of the fountain of Israel.
There is Benjamin the youngest, their ruler; princes of Judah--their motley band, princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali,
Thy God hath commanded thy supreme power-- in power, Elohim, what Thou hast wrought for us!
--
From Thy temple above Jerusalem kings present offerings unto Thee.
Threaten the wild beast of the reed, the troops of bulls the calves of the people, they may prostrate themselves with ingots of silver! -- hath scattered the peoples that delight in wars.
Magnates come out of Egypt, --quickly do his hands stretch out unto Elohim.
Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing unto Elohim, the Lord with stringed instruments--
(Sela.)
To Him who rideth in the heaven of heavens of the time-- , He made Himself heard with His voice, a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye might unto Elohim! Israel is His majesty. His omnipotence in the heights of the heavens.
Terrible is Elohim out of thy sanctuaries;
"The God of Israel giveth might and abundant strength the people!" be Elohim!
Ver. 1. Let God arise. In some such words Moses spake when the cloud moved onward, and the ark was carried forward. The ark would have been a poor leader if the Lord had not been present with the symbol. Before we move, we should always desire to see the Lord lead the way. The words suppose the Lord to have been passive for awhile, suffering his enemies to rage, but restraining his power. Israel beseeches him to "arise, "as elsewhere to "awake, ""gird on his sword, "and other similar expressions. We, also, may thus importunately cry unto the Lord, that he would be pleased to make bare his arm, and plead his own cause.
Let his enemies be scattered. Our glorious Captain of the vanguard clears the way readily, however many may seek to obstruct it; he has but to arise, and they flee, he has easily over thrown his foes in days of yore, and will do so all through the ages to come. Sin, death, and hell know the terror of his arm; their ranks are broken at his approach. Our enemies are his enemies, and in this is our confidence of victory.
Let them also that hate him flee before him. To hate the infinitely good God is infamous, and the worst punishment is not too severe. Hatred of God is impotent. His proudest foes can do him no injury. Alarmed beyond measure, they shall flee before it comes to blows. Long before the army of Israel can come into the fray, the haters of God shall flee before HIM who is the champion of his chosen. He comes, he sees, he conquers. How fitting a prayer is this for the commencement of a revival! How it suggests the true mode of conducting one: --the Lord leads the way, his people follow, the enemies flee.
NEW TRANSLATION order that our readers may see the Psalm at a glance in a good translation, we subjoin the version of FRANZ DELITZSCH; recommending our ministerial brethren to procure the volumes of his valuable Commentary on the Psalms, issued by the Messrs. CLARK, of Edinburgh.
Psalms 68:1-35
HYMN OF WAR AND VICTORY IN THE STYLE OF DEBORAH
LET Elohim arise, let His enemies be scattered, let those who hate Him flee before His face.
As smoke is driven away, do Thou drive them away; wax melteth before the fire, the wicked perish before Elohim.
And let the righteous rejoice, let them exult before , let them be glad with joy.
Sing unto Elohim, harp His name, a highway for Him who rideth along through the ; is his name, and exult ye before Him.
A Father of the fatherless and an Advocate of the Elohim in His holy habitation.
Elohim maketh a household for the solitary, leadeth forth prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious abide in a land of drought.
Elohim, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, thou didst march along in the wilderness--
Sela.
The earth shook, heavens also dropped before Elohim, Sinai before Elohim, the God of Israel.
With plentiful rain didst Thou, Elohim, water Thine , when it was parched, THOU hast confirmed it.
Thy creatures have settled down therein, didst provide with Thy goodness for the poor, .
The Lord will sound forth the mandate; the women who herald victory there is a great army.
The kings of hosts shall flee, shall flee, she that tarrieth at home, shall divide the spoil.
If ye encamp among the sheep folds, dove's wings are covered with silver her feathers with glistening gold.
When the Almighty scattereth kings therein, becometh snow white upon Zalmon.
A mountain of Elohim is the mountain of Bashan, mountain full of peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
Why look ye enviously, ye many peaked mountains, the mountain which Elohim hath chosen, to dwell ? , Jahve will dwell (there) for ever.
The war chariots of Elohim are myriads, a thousand , Lord is among them, it is a Sinai in holiness.
Thou hast ascended up to the height, Thou hast led captive, hast received gifts among men, from the rebellious, that Jah Elohim might dwell
(there).
Blessed be the Lord: by day doth He bear our burden, , God, is our salvation.
(Sela.)
He, God, is to us a God for deeds of deliverance, Jahve the Lord hath ways of escape for death.
Yea, Elohim will smite the head of His enemies, hairy scalp of him who stalks along in his .
The Lord hath said: Out of Bashan will I bring back, will bring back out of the depths of the sea,
That thou mayest bathe thy foot in blood, the tongue of thy dogs may have its share of the .
They behold Thy splendid procession, Elohim, splendid procession of my God, my King in holiness.
Before went the singers, behind the players on stringed , the midst of damsels striking timbrels.
In the choirs of the congregation bless ye Elohim, Lord, ye who are out of the fountain of Israel.
There is Benjamin the youngest, their ruler; princes of Judah--their motley band, princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali,
Thy God hath commanded thy supreme power-- in power, Elohim, what Thou hast wrought for us!
--
From Thy temple above Jerusalem kings present offerings unto Thee.
Threaten the wild beast of the reed, the troops of bulls the calves of the people, they may prostrate themselves with ingots of silver! -- hath scattered the peoples that delight in wars.
Magnates come out of Egypt, --quickly do his hands stretch out unto Elohim.
Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing unto Elohim, the Lord with stringed instruments--
(Sela.)
To Him who rideth in the heaven of heavens of the time-- , He made Himself heard with His voice, a mighty voice.
Ascribe ye might unto Elohim! Israel is His majesty. His omnipotence in the heights of the heavens.
Terrible is Elohim out of thy sanctuaries;
"The God of Israel giveth might and abundant strength the people!" be Elohim!