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._ Sing ... extol him that rideth upon the heavens. The Hebrew, 'extol' х_ CAALAL_ (H5549)], means also 'make a way for;' raise up a road for. So the Septuagint, Vulgate and Arabic. Though the Pilpel conjugation in Proverbs 4:8, and Exodus 9:17 the Hithpael, occur in the sense extol; yet in the Qal no instance occurs of this sense. Moreover, the sense, 'make a way for Him,' accords with Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 62:10, and especially...

4_Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: exalt him _(12) _that rideth, etc. _He now proceeds to call upon the Lord’s people to praise God. And he begins by pointing out the grounds in general, as I have already hinted, which they have for this exercise, because he comprehends the whole world under his power and government, adding, that he condescends to take the poorest and the most wretched of our family under his protection. His infinite power is commended, when it is said that he _rides upon the clouds, _or the heavens, (13) for this proves that he sits superior over all things. The Holy Spirit may signify by the expression, that we should exclude from our minds every thing gross and earthly in the conceptions we form of him; but he would, doubtless, impress us chiefly with an idea of his great power, to produce in us a due reverence, and make us feel how far

1-6 None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings....

Verse Psalms 68:4. _EXTOL HIM THAT RIDETH UPON THE HEAVENS BY HIS NAME JAH_] "Extol him who sitteth on the throne of glory, in the ninth heaven; YAH is his name; and rejoice before him." - _Targum_. בערבות baaraboth, which we render _in the high heavens_, is _here_ of doubtful signification. As it comes from the root ערב _arab_, to mingle, (hence _ereb_ the evening or _twilight_, because it appears to be formed of an _equal mixture of light and darkness_; the _Septuagint_ translate it δυσμων, the _west_, or _setting_ of the sun; so does the _Vulgate_ and others;) probably it may mean the _gloomy desert_, through which God, in the chariot of his glory, led the Israelites. If this interpretation do not please, then let it be referred to the _darkness_ in which God is said to dwell, through which the rays of

SING UNTO GOD, SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME - That is, to him; the name being often put for the person himself. The repetition denotes intensity of desire; a wish that God might be praised with the highest praises. EXTOL HIM - The word here rendered “extol” - סלל _sâlal_ - means to lift up, to raise, to raise up, as into a heap or mound; and especially to cast up and prepare a way, or to make a way level before an army by casting up earth; that is, to prepare a way for an army. See the notes at Isaiah 40:3. Compare also Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 62:10;...

EXPOSITION THIS psalm is one of triumphant praise and jubilation, the crown and gem of the Second Book. Professor Cheyne calls it "a patriotic and religious ode of wondrous range and compass, and in the grandest style." He also notes that it was a favourite with the Huguenots, who called it "The Song of Battles," and that it was chanted by Savanarola and his brother monks as they marched to the trial of fire in the Piazza of Florence. While some critics assign it to the post-Captivity period (Ewald, Cheyne), the greater number, and the most acute (Botticher, Hitzig, Hengstenberg, Kay, Dean Johnson, etc.)see in it one of the earliest, as well as the most beautiful, specimens of Hebrew poetry. The ascription to David, which we find in the "title," is by these critics accepted as fully borne out by the contents. The antique language, the impressive descriptions, the fresh powerful tone of t...

SING UNTO GOD,.... Manifest in the flesh, risen from the dead, ascended on high, set down at the right hand of his divine Father; having exerted his great strength in their redemption; and therefore should sing the song of redeeming love, with grace and melody in their hearts, unto him; SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME: to the honour of his name Jesus, a Saviour, because of the great work of salvation wrought out by him; give him all the praise and glory of it, which due unto his name; EXTOL HIM THAT RIDETH UPON HEAVENS: having ascended above them, and being higher than they, and so is exalted above all blessing and praise; and uses his power and greatness for the help of his people: see Deuteronomy 33:26. Some choose to render the words, "prepare the way" q, as John the Baptist is said to do before him,...

This was a Psalm sung, at the removing of the ark, when it was taken up to its resting-place on Mount Zion. All the tribes were gathered together, and, in full pomp, they marched along, bearing the sacred chest. As they tramped forward, the trumpets sounded, and this Psalm rose up to God. Psalms 68:1. _Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him._ That is the way to move, God first, and his people following closely after him. That is the true order of revival, the Lord in the lead, then all his children, quick of step, to follow where he leads. The psalmist seems to take it for granted that there would be no fighting if God should arise, for all his enemies would be put to flight by his presence. Psalms 68:2. As smoke is driven

Psalms 68 The Great Redemption Accomplished _ 1. The introduction (Psalms 68:1)_ 2. The proclamation of His Name and of ‘His acts (Psalms 68:4) 3. A historic review (Psalms 68:7) 4. Israel's place of blessing and the Redeemer (Psalms 68:13) 5. His victory over the enemies (Psalms 68:20) 6. The great procession (Psalms 68:24) 7.

LXVIII. A SONG OF TRIUMPH. The most difficult of all the Pss. In some places the text is so corrupt that it defies any attempt at emendation, and the VSS give little, if any, help. The historical allusions are obscure. The poet makes use of older works, especially of Deborah's Song in Judges 5. PSALMS 68:1. Praise of God for His power and lovingkindness. This section begins with a quotation from Numbers 10:35, the words used when the Ark moved forward in the forty years-' wandering through the wilderness. PSALMS 68:4. RIDETH THROUGH THE DESERTS OR RATHER STEPPES (_cf._ Isaiah 40:3)....