“The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” The women at home divide the spoil—
David composed this psalm to celebrate victories God granted him over his enemies, most likely after his triumph over the Ammonites and Syrians when the ark returned to Jerusalem. The ark's ascent to the holy mountain prefigures Christ's far more glorious ascension to heaven after He conquered His enemies and ours. Though the psalm rises to great heights of sublimity, its interpretation presents considerable difficulty at many points.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 68:1-35
Kings of armies did flee apace. The lords of hosts fled before the Lord of Hosts. No sooner did the ark advance than the enemy turned his back: even the princely leaders stayed not, but took to flight. The rout was complete, the retreat hurried and disorderly;—they "did flee, did flee; "helter skelter, pell mell, as we say. And she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
Fresh mercies ought to revive our grateful sense of former ones. God Himself went before Israel through the wilderness as their guide and leader; if He brings His people into a desert, He will march ahead of them and bring them safely out of it.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 68:7-14