This psalm purports to be a psalm of David. It is dedicated to “the chief Musician.” See the notes at the Introduction to Psalms 4:1-8. There is no reason to doubt the correctness of the title, as there is nothing in the psalm which conflicts with the supposition that David was the author, and as it accords so much, in its scope and language, with his undoubted compositions. On the phrase in the title “A Psalm or Song,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 65:1-13.
It is not certainly known on what occasion the song was composed. It is evidently, like the eighteenth psalm, a triumphal song designed to celebrate victories which had been achieved; but whether composed to celebrate some particular victory, or in view of all that had been done in subduing the enemies of the people of God, it is impossible now to determine. Prof. Alexander supposes that it was in reference to the victory recorded in 2 Samuel 12:26-31, the last important victory of David’s reign. Venema supposes that it was composed on the occasion of removing the ark to Mount Zion, to the place which David had prepared for it. This also is the opinion of Rosenmuller. DeWette inclines to the opinion that it was written in view of the victory over the Ammonites and others, as recorded in 2 Sam. 8–12. There are some things, however, in regard to the time and occasion on which the psalm was composed, which can be determined from the psalm itself.
(1) It is clear that it was not composed before the time of David, because before his time Jerusalem or Zion was not the seat of the royal authority, nor the place of divine worship, which it is evidently supposed to be in the psalm, Psalms 68:29.
(2) It was composed when the Hebrew nation was one, or before the separation of the ten tribes and the formation of the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam, for Benjamin, Judah, Zebulon and Naphtall are especially mentioned as taking part in the solemnities referred to in the psalm, Psalms 68:27.
(3) It was consequently before the Babylonian captivity.
(4) It was composed on some occasion of bringing up the ark, and putting it in the place which had been prepared for it, Psalms 68:16, Psalms 68:24-25. These verses can be best explained on the supposition that the psalm was written on that occasion. Indeed they cannot well be explained on any other supposition.
(5) It was in view of past triumphs; of victories secured in former times; of what God had then done for his people, and especially of what he had done when the ark of the covenant had been placed at the head of the armies of Israel, Psalms 68:14. Compare Psalms 68:7-8, Psalms 68:12, Psalms 68:17-18.
(6) It was in anticipation of future triumphs - the triumphs of the true religion; under the feeling and belief that Jerusalem would be the center from which wholesome influences would go out over the world; and that through the influences which would go out from Jerusalem the world would be subdued to God, Psalms 68:20-23; 29-31. Compare Isaiah 2:3.
The psalm was composed, therefore, I apprehend, when the ark was brought up from the house of Obed-edom, and placed in the city of David, in the tent or tabernacle which he had erected for it there: 2 Samuel 6:12; 1 Chronicles 15. It is not improbable that other psalms, also, were composed for this occasion, as it was one of great solemnity.
The contents of the psalm accord entirely with this supposition. They are as follows:
I. A prayer that God would arise and scatter all his enemies, Psalms 68:1-2.
II. A call on the people to praise God, with reference to his greatness, and to his paternal character, Psalms 68:3-6.
III. A reference to what he had done in former times for his people in conducting them from bondage to the promised land, Psalms 68:7-14.
IV. A particular reference to the ark, Psalms 68:15-18. After it had been lying neglected, God had gone forth with it, and Zion had become distinguished above the hills; the chariots of God had been poured forth; victory had attended its movements; and God had gone up leading captivity captive.
V. The anticipation of future triumphs - the confident expectation of future interposition - as derived from the history of the past, Psalms 68:19-23.
VI. A description of the procession on the removing of the ark, Psalms 68:24-27.
VII. The anticipation of future triumphs expressed in another form, not that of subjugation by mere power, but of a voluntary submission of kings and nations to God, Psalms 68:28-31. Kings would come with presents Psalms 68:29; nations - Egypt and Ethiopia - would stretch out their hands to God, Psalms 68:31.
VIII. A call on all the nations, in view of these things, to ascribe praise to God, Psalms 68:32-35.