Psalm 68 14

Psalm 68:14 kjv

When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

Psalm 68:14 nkjv

When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Zalmon.

Psalm 68:14 niv

When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

Psalm 68:14 esv

When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.

Psalm 68:14 nlt

The Almighty scattered the enemy kings
like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.

Psalm 68 verses

Psalm 68 14 Meaning

Psalm 68:14 proclaims the overwhelming and transformative power of the Almighty God as He utterly defeats and disperses kings. This divine act results in a landscape, metaphorically or literally, becoming dazzling and pure, "like snow on Zalmon." It speaks of God's sovereign triumph over all opposing powers, leading to a radiant display of His victory and the complete transformation of circumstances. The verse highlights that God alone orchestrates such decisive and dramatic reversals.

Psalm 68 14 Context

Psalm 68 is a triumphant ode celebrating God's glorious march of salvation and judgment. It draws upon themes from Israel's history: the exodus from Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, the establishment of Jerusalem as the place of God's dwelling, and the movement of the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion. The Psalm describes God as a victorious warrior who leads His people, defeats their enemies, and pours out blessings from heaven. Verse 14 is positioned after declarations of God giving the word of victory to a great host of women (vv. 11-12) and the routing of enemy kings (v. 12b). It illustrates the ultimate and total nature of God's triumph over hostile rulers, portraying the immediate and stunning transformation brought by divine power. This fits within the broader narrative of God establishing His kingdom and dominion over all earthly authorities.

Psalm 68 14 Word analysis

• When the Almighty (בְּשַׁדַּי, Beshaddai):
  • "When" (בְּ, bĕ): Functions as a temporal indicator, meaning "when" or "as." It introduces the action of the Almighty.
  • "Almighty" (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai): This is a powerful and ancient divine name, often rendered "God Almighty" in English. Its core meaning relates to God's omnipotence, self-sufficiency, overwhelming power, and ability to provide abundantly or devastate completely. The use of Shaddai here unequivocally attributes the extraordinary victory to God's inherent, unmatched, and irresistible might, rather than any human strength or strategy. It emphasizes that this is a sovereign act of divine will and capability.
• scatters (פָּרַשׂ, pāras):
  • The Hebrew verb pāras means "to spread out," "to disperse," "to rout," or "to scatter completely." It depicts a total defeat, a disarray where the enemy forces are broken apart and flee in all directions, unable to regroup or resist effectively. This is not merely a retreat but an utter breaking of power and cohesion.
• kings (מְלָכִים, mĕlāḵīm):
  • Refers to earthly rulers and their armies, representing the organized power and authority that stands in opposition to God's chosen people or His divine purposes. The victory is over principalities and powers, emphasizing God's supreme sovereignty over all human and even spiritual dominions.
• in it (בָּהּ, bāh):
  • The exact antecedent of "it" is debated among scholars but generally refers to a sphere of divine activity and triumph. Possible interpretations include:
    1. The land (i.e., Canaan, which God had just given His people through conquest).
    2. The wilderness or the journey/campaign described in the preceding verses.
    3. The battle or conflict itself.
    4. Some suggest it could implicitly refer to the divine presence or act through which the scattering occurs.
    The most natural reading connects it to the geographic or experiential context of God's triumphant leading of Israel through the wilderness and into the promised land.
• it is like snow on Zalmon (תַּשְׁלֵג בְּצַלְמוֹן, tashlēg bĕṢalmôn):
  • "it is like snow" / "it was white as snow" (תַּשְׁלֵג, tashlēg): The verb is a denominative from shēleg (שֶׁלֶג), meaning "snow." It implies "to snow," "to become white as snow," or "to be covered with snow." This simile holds multiple layers of meaning:
    • Purity/Cleansing: Like snow covers the ground, bringing a fresh, clean appearance, God's victory purifies the land after the bloodshed of war or transforms a dark situation into one of pristine holiness. It evokes the idea of God washing away the stain of wickedness.
    • Overwhelming Abundance/Totality: The number of scattered kings/forces could be likened to the uncountable flakes of snow, completely covering the ground. The victory is total and pervasive.
    • Radiance/Brilliance: Snow-covered landscapes are often bright and gleaming. This reflects the radiant glory of God's victory.
    • Suddenness/Disappearance: Like snow melts quickly under the sun, the power of the defeated kings swiftly vanishes under the divine heat of judgment.
  • "on Zalmon" (בְּצַלְמוֹן, bĕṢalmôn): Zalmon (or Salmon) is a mountain mentioned in Judges 9:48, known for its dense woods and likely its darker appearance (from the root ṣālam, "to be dark/shady"). The juxtaposition of white snow on a "dark" mountain creates a powerful contrast:
    • It emphasizes the dramatic transformation wrought by God's victory – darkness turning into brilliant light, gloom into purity.
    • It suggests that even on dark, previously formidable, or overlooked places, God's magnificent victory is made manifest. The glory of His triumph covers all, even those places associated with obscurity or difficulty.
    • While it might refer to a specific battle, the primary focus is on the transformative effect of God's comprehensive victory.

Psalm 68 14 Bonus section

The imagery in Psalm 68:14 can be understood as a polemic against the contemporary belief in various pagan deities. Unlike the limited, regional, or temperamental gods of surrounding nations, the God of Israel, Shaddai, is shown to possess unmatched power, capable of decisively overturning and scattering any human opposition. This absolute authority over earthly kings, which extends even to changing the very appearance of the landscape, demonstrated His unrivaled sovereignty and presence among His people. It implicitly critiques the impotence of other deities worshipped by those scattered kings, who were unable to protect their devotees or their kingdoms from the divine intervention of Shaddai.

Psalm 68 14 Commentary

Psalm 68:14 serves as a powerful declaration of God's ultimate authority and unstoppable power over earthly rulers. When the Almighty God—identified by the formidable name Shaddai, signifying His absolute supremacy and self-sufficiency—engages, the scattering of kings is not merely a defeat but a complete dissolution of their power and authority. This victory is depicted using the vivid, striking simile of "snow on Zalmon." This image speaks to the immediate, pervasive, and transformative effect of God's triumph. Whether it signifies the radiant purity that washes over a land cleansed from the defilement of war, the overwhelming number of defeated foes blanketing the ground, or the stunning transformation from darkness to light and chaos to order, the core message remains: God's victory is total, pure, and glorious. It is a divine statement of triumph that cleanses, renews, and unequivocally establishes His rule. The "dark" mountain of Zalmon receiving bright snow underscores God's ability to turn the darkest situations into scenes of His shining glory.