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Psalm 68:1
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.
2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
Notice
David’s song asks God to scatter those who hate him, a fierce prayer that can test what you expect from God’s justice.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do you notice about asking God to arise before asking his enemies to scatter?
Write on thisWhat care would you need to take before naming someone among those who hate God?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Numbers 10:35When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!”Moses’ prayer as the ark moves forward shares the psalm’s plea for God to arise, scatter his enemies, and make those who hate him flee.
Isaiah 51:9–10Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of the LORD! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who …Both prayers ask God to act against opposition, with Isaiah recalling the defeat of Rahab and the monster.
Isaiah 42:13–14The LORD will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his …Psalm 68 asks God to arise against his enemies; Isaiah describes the LORD going out as a warrior and triumphing over his enemies.
Psalm 44:26Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.Both prayers ask God to rise, though Psalm 44 seeks help and redemption while Psalm 68 seeks the scattering of enemies.
Psalm 89:10You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.Psalm 68 asks for God’s enemies to be scattered; Psalm 89 recounts God scattering his enemies with his mighty arm.
Ezekiel 12:14–15I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his bands. I will draw out the sword after them.Both texts speak of God scattering people, though Ezekiel names a particular group of helpers and troops rather than those who hate God.
Psalm 132:8–9Arise, LORD, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength.Both address God with a plea to arise; Psalm 132 links that plea to his resting place and the ark of his strength.
Psalm 108:1A Song. A Psalm by David. My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.Both are identified as songs by David, though Psalm 108 opens with steadfast praise and Psalm 68 with a plea against God’s enemies.
Isaiah 33:3At the noise of the thunder, the peoples have fled. When you lift yourself up, the nations are scattered.Both connect God’s rising with people fleeing and being scattered before him.
John 14:23–24Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.The connection is limited to contrasting responses to God: Psalm 68 names hatred, while Jesus speaks of love expressed through keeping his word.
2 Chronicles 6:41“Now therefore arise, LORD God, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let your …Both prayers ask God to arise, though Chronicles asks him to enter his resting place while Psalm 68 asks him to scatter his enemies.
Deuteronomy 7:10and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face.Both name those who hate God as facing his judgment; Deuteronomy states that he will repay them with destruction.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. fear for the future. sermon or Bible study notes.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The song asks God himself to confront those who hate him. Its confidence rests in his power, and the judgment it seeks belongs to him.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).