Psalm 68 17

Psalm 68:17 kjv

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

Psalm 68:17 nkjv

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.

Psalm 68:17 niv

The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

Psalm 68:17 esv

The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

Psalm 68:17 nlt

Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots,
the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary.

Psalm 68 verses

Psalm 68 17 Meaning

Psalm 68:17 declares the immense power and presence of God, emphasizing His majestic army of heavenly beings and His indwelling amongst His people. It paints a picture of divine omnipotence and numerous celestial forces accompanying Him. The verse underscores that the same God who manifested His glory and power at Mount Sinai, where He established His covenant and gave the Law, now resides in His "holy place" among His people, signaling a continuity and shift in His dwelling and a constant demonstration of His sovereign presence.

Psalm 68 17 Context

Psalm 68 is a triumphant processional hymn, celebrating God's glorious presence and power as He leads His people to victory. Often seen as a song of divine triumph following the carrying of the Ark of the Covenant, it recalls the exodus from Egypt, God's revelation at Sinai, His leading Israel through the wilderness, and His ultimate enthronement in Zion. Verse 17 directly relates God's past mighty acts at Sinai with His current and future dwelling in "the holy place," which points to Jerusalem and its temple. This verse serves to affirm the LORD's majestic sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, and the shift of His visible presence from the terrifying display at Sinai to a settled, holy presence among His chosen nation in their designated sanctuary.

Psalm 68 17 Word analysis

• The chariots (רֶכֶב, _rekeb_): Refers to war-chariots. In ancient warfare, chariots were the epitome of military strength and speed. Applied to God, it signifies His irresistible power, mobility, and military might, capable of swift and overwhelming victory over all opposition. It also suggests divine presence and transport.

• of God (אֱלֹהִים, _Elohim_): A common Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His divine power and creative authority. Here, it underscores that the chariots are not human, but belong to the supreme divine power.

• are twenty thousand (רִבֹּתַיִם, _ribbotayim_): Literally "two myriads." A myriad (רְבָבָה, _revavah_) is 10,000. So, twenty thousand is an exact number meant to convey an immense, countless host. It signifies the immeasurable size of God's celestial army.

• even thousands of angels (אַלְפֵי שִׁנְאָן, _alfei shin'an_): This phrase is significant and subject to varied interpretation. _Alfei_ (אַלְפֵי) means "thousands of." _Shin'an_ (שִׁנְאָן) is less common, possibly derived from a root meaning "repetition" or "twofold," implying "thousands upon thousands," or a "twofold repetition" leading to an uncountable multitude. Most ancient and modern translations interpret this as referring to angelic beings, "thousands of angels" or "myriads of angels," serving as God's army and retinue. It solidifies the idea that the "chariots" are not mere vehicles, but living celestial hosts.

• the Lord (אֲדֹנָי, _Adonai_): A title for God, typically translated "Lord" or "Master," emphasizing His sovereign authority and ownership. It reinforces God's position as the supreme commander and presence amidst this mighty host.

• is among them (בָּם, _bam_): Literally "in them" or "among them." This confirms God's active, personal presence at the head of His heavenly forces, not merely as their distant commander but as their imminent leader and the very embodiment of their power.

• as in Sinai (סִינַי, _Sinai_): A pivotal reference. Mount Sinai was the site of God's overwhelming, fearful, and glorious manifestation when He descended to give the Law and establish His covenant with Israel (Ex 19-20). The comparison indicates that God's presence, power, and holiness accompanying His army are of the same magnitude and majesty as at Sinai.

• in the holy place (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ, _bakkodesh_): Literally "in holiness" or "in the sanctuary/holy place." This refers to Zion, God's dwelling place on earth – initially the Tabernacle, then the Temple in Jerusalem. It signals a shift from the terrifying, temporary presence at Sinai to a permanent, sanctified dwelling among His people. It implies a perpetual, hallowed presence rather than a transient, awesome display, embodying His covenant faithfulness.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis:

• The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: This opening phrase immediately establishes the scale and nature of God's military might. It combines the human concept of a formidable army (chariots) with a divine, incalculable multitude of heavenly beings (angels), conveying overwhelming power that transcends human comprehension. It signifies divine readiness for action and irresistible force.

• the Lord is among them: This short but profound statement emphasizes God's immanent presence. He is not merely directing His forces from afar; He is personally present, leading and empowering His vast army. This presence guarantees victory and asserts His active role in the events described by the psalm.

• as in Sinai, in the holy place: This comparison bridges past and present divine revelation. "As in Sinai" invokes God's historical, awesome, and law-giving manifestation. "In the holy place" (Zion/Jerusalem's Temple) marks the culmination of His redemptive journey, where His formidable presence has settled. This linkage underscores that God's power seen at Sinai is continuously available and manifested within His covenant dwelling place, providing security and sanctity for His people. It transitions from the transient wilderness display to a permanent, hallowed dwelling. This juxtaposition can also be seen as a polemic against local pagan deities whose power was limited; the God of Israel, however, maintains His Sinai power in His new, permanent sanctuary.

Psalm 68 17 Bonus section

This verse contains an implied polemic against the regional gods of the Canaanites. Unlike the local deities with their limited spheres of influence and comparatively meager divine retinues (often represented in their mythologies by specific animals or a few attendant spirits), the God of Israel is depicted with an innumerable, mighty host. His presence at Sinai was not tied to the fertility of the land but to a transcendent, terrifying, and universal power that then freely chose to reside among His people in Zion. This contrasts sharply with the static, geographically bound, and often less potent perceptions of surrounding pagan deities. The shift from Sinai to Zion signifies not a diminishment, but a transfer and concentration of divine power, demonstrating that God's majestic presence is dynamic and sovereignly located, now dwelling where His people can access Him in a relational, covenantal manner. The verse also lays foundational imagery that is later fulfilled in Christ's triumphant return with legions of angels, asserting the same divine authority and overwhelming might.

Psalm 68 17 Commentary

Psalm 68:17 magnifies God's sovereign power and presence through the imagery of a countless heavenly army. The "chariots of God" represent His invincible might and mobility, far exceeding any earthly military force. The sheer number – "twenty thousand, even thousands of angels" – conveys an innumerable host, a divine multitude at His command, serving as His escort and enforcers of His will. This divine retinue highlights God's transcendence and His capacity to enact His purposes with overwhelming strength.

Crucially, the verse proclaims that "the Lord is among them." This signifies God's active and personal involvement, leading His cosmic forces. He is not a distant, passive deity but the supreme commander present at the heart of His magnificent host. The comparison "as in Sinai" powerfully evokes the grandeur, terrifying holiness, and covenant-making authority of God's historical descent upon Mount Sinai, a moment that fundamentally shaped Israel's identity and understanding of God's power. By linking this same formidable presence to "the holy place" (Zion/the Temple), the psalm articulates a significant theological shift: God's awesome presence is no longer confined to a fearsome, remote mountain but has chosen to dwell intimately and permanently within His people's midst, in the sanctity of His chosen sanctuary. This indicates that the same God who thundered from Sinai now abides in grace and power among His people, offering protection and blessing from His hallowed dwelling place. This presence guarantees security and sanctification for His covenant community.