Read
Psalm 68:4
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice 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.
4Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him!
5A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
Notice
The repeated command to sing turns attention toward God's name, while the cloud rider's majesty makes rejoicing before him an act of reverence.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What does the picture of God riding on clouds add to your praise today?
Write on thisWhat helps or hinders your rejoicing before the God described here?
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
Isaiah 40:3The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.Both name the LORD as God; Isaiah commands preparation of his way, while the psalm commands praise before him.
Exodus 3:14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”Both give attention to God's name: Exodus records God's words to Moses, while the psalm directs singers to praise his name.
Exodus 6:3I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name the LORD I was not known to them.Both identify God's name as the LORD, with Exodus discussing its disclosure and the psalm making it central to praise.
Deuteronomy 33:26“There is no one like God, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, in his excellency on the skies.Both portray God riding above the earth, on clouds or the heavens; Deuteronomy adds that he rides to help his people.
Psalm 47:6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!Both repeat the command to sing praises to God, giving the repetition itself a place in worship.
Isaiah 12:4–6In that day you will say, “Give thanks to the LORD! Call on his name! Declare his doings among the peoples! Proclaim that his name is exalted!Both direct praise toward the LORD and his name, with Isaiah also urging people to declare his deeds.
Psalm 8:1For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above …Both praise the LORD's name and describe his majesty through language reaching above the earth into the heavens.
Psalm 66:4All the earth will worship you, and will sing to you; they will sing to your name.” Selah.Both link singing to God's name; Psalm 68 commands it, while Psalm 66 declares that all the earth will do it.
Psalm 68:33to him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.Both describe God as a heavenly rider, with the later verse adding his mighty voice to the portrayal.
Habakkuk 3:8Was the LORD displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers, or your wrath against the sea, that you rode on your horses, on your chariots of …Both portray the LORD as a rider, though Habakkuk speaks of horses and chariots of salvation rather than clouds.
2 Chronicles 6:4He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it, saying,Both honor the LORD with praise; Chronicles gives the distinct reason that God has fulfilled what he spoke to David.
Isaiah 19:1The burden of Egypt. “Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, and comes to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence; and the heart of Egypt will …Both portray the LORD riding on a cloud; Isaiah describes Egypt trembling at his arrival, while the psalm commands rejoicing.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. gratitude.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The one who rides on the clouds is also named, in the next verse, as a defender of widows. His majesty does not keep him from the vulnerable.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 68:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 68 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
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).