Psalm 68 30

Psalm 68:30 kjv

Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

Psalm 68:30 nkjv

Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Psalm 68:30 niv

Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Psalm 68:30 esv

Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Psalm 68:30 nlt

Rebuke these enemy nations ?
these wild animals lurking in the reeds,
this herd of bulls among the weaker calves.
Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute.
Scatter the nations that delight in war.

Psalm 68 verses

Psalm 68 30 Meaning

Psalm 68:30 is a fervent petition and prophetic declaration calling upon God to subdue hostile, powerful nations and their leaders, who are likened to wild, predatory beasts. It expresses a desire for these rebellious powers to be humbled and to submit tribute to God, rather than persist in their destructive war-mongering. This verse anticipates the universal acknowledgement of God's supreme authority, where even the most defiant rulers are brought to submission, leading to an era where the delight in conflict is eradicated.

Psalm 68 30 Context

Psalm 68 is a grand processional hymn celebrating God's triumphant leadership and His victorious journey with Israel from the wilderness to the establishment of His sanctuary on Zion. It draws upon imagery from the Exodus, the Sinai covenant, and the conquest of Canaan, depicting God as a mighty warrior who rides through the heavens, scatters His enemies, and defends the helpless. The psalm recounts historical deliverances and prophecies future triumphs. Verse 30 is situated within a section that shifts from historical praise to a petition for God to complete His work, summoning nations to acknowledge His power and bring tribute to His temple in Jerusalem, contrasting those who resist and delight in warfare with those who will eventually submit to divine authority.

Psalm 68 30 Word analysis

• Rebuke (גָּעַר, gaʿar): This strong verb implies a powerful, authoritative warning or restraining action, often used in scripture for God's divine intervention to control or defeat. It denotes an immediate, decisive, and forceful stopping of something harmful or defiant, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty and control over oppressive forces.
• the beasts (חַיַּת, ḥayyaṯ): Lit. "wild beast," often used for a dangerous, untamed animal. Here, it is a powerful metaphor for cruel, aggressive, and tyrannical nations or their rulers who prey upon others, embodying destructive force and a lack of divine order.
• of the reeds (קָנֶה, qāneh): Refers to marshy areas, particularly the reeds along the Nile River. This points strongly to Egypt, a historical oppressor of Israel, symbolizing a powerful nation, yet one whose true strength is ultimately vulnerable before God. It might also subtly evoke the frailty of reeds compared to God's steadfastness.
• the company (עֲדַת, ʿăḏaṯ): An assembly or horde, often implying a congregation or collection of people. Here, it refers to the collected body or forces of these powerful, hostile entities.
• of bulls (אַבִּירִים, ʾabbîrîm): Means "strong ones" or "mighty ones," used for powerful leaders, warriors, or even the bulls themselves, symbolic of brute strength, pride, and authority. In context, it signifies powerful kings or dominant nations who assert their power over others without regard for God. This might also subtly polemicize against bull worship prominent in some ancient cultures.
• with the calves (עֶגְלֵי, ʿeḡlê): Refers to young bulls or male calves. This typically signifies the younger generation of leaders, followers, or the common people who accompany the powerful rulers ("bulls"), indicating that their influence extends to the masses under them.
• of the peoples (עַמִּים, ʿammîm): Signifies distinct nations or ethnic groups, emphasizing the broad scope of those God is called to subdue. This applies not just to one enemy, but all nations acting defiantly.
• till everyone submits (מִתְרַפֵּס, miṯrappes): The verb râphaś means "to trample" or "to tread down." In the hitpa'el stem, it signifies to humble oneself, submit, or prostrate. It describes a willing (even if compelled) prostration and humility, emphasizing the complete subjugation of their defiant pride.
• with pieces of silver (רַצֵּי־כָסֶף, raṣṣê-ḵāsep̄): Literally "shreds" or "fragments of silver." This imagery suggests tribute paid in humility, perhaps a broken offering indicating broken pride and a recognition of dependency, or a scattered payment acknowledging utter defeat rather than grand, organized tribute. It signifies financial or material submission.
• scatter (בִּזַּר, bizzar): To disperse or put to flight, often implying chaos and destruction of the enemy's unity and power. This is God's active judgment against those who refuse to humble themselves.
• the peoples who delight in war (קְרָבוֹת יֶחְפָּצוּן, qərāḇōṯ yeḥpāṣūn): This specifies a distinct category of nations—those whose very essence is found in conflict and aggression. It contrasts sharply with God's peace and desire for nations to live in harmony, indicating God's judgment specifically targets those whose hearts are set on perpetual conflict.

Psalm 68 30 Bonus Section

• The term "Rahab" (as seen in Ps 89:10 and Isa 51:9-10) is often associated with a primordial sea monster and later became a poetic name for Egypt. This deepens the "beasts of the reeds" imagery, connecting it to a nation that epitomized rebellion against God.
• The prophetic nature of this verse points toward a universal dominion that culminates in the Messianic era. While initially referring to earthly empires, its themes resonate with the ultimate submission of all authority to Christ, as foretold in the New Testament.
• The command to "scatter the peoples who delight in war" directly counters human nature's fallen tendency towards conflict. It foresees a divine purification of the world from the very desire for strife, pointing to God's ultimate desire for shalom (peace and wholeness) for all nations under His righteous reign.

Psalm 68 30 Commentary

Psalm 68:30 is a vivid call for divine intervention against the powerful, defiant forces of the world. It employs zoomorphic imagery, depicting oppressive nations as wild "beasts of the reeds" (likely referring to Egypt's rulers and armies, or powerful states residing by great rivers like the Nile or Euphrates) and proud "bulls with their calves" (mighty kings and their followers). This metaphor highlights their predatory nature, untamed aggression, and perhaps their idolatrous pride, contrasting their animalistic might with the ultimate sovereignty of God. The phrase "rebuke" indicates God's sovereign command and power to bring order out of chaos and subdue the most formidable human might. The goal of this divine action is their complete submission, symbolized by "pieces of silver"—not just forced payment, but a humbling of their proud spirit, signifying repentance and allegiance. Finally, for those nations whose core identity is to "delight in war," the psalm declares they will be "scattered," emphasizing divine judgment against belligerence and the eventual triumph of God's peace. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority over all earthly powers, prophesying a time when all nations will acknowledge His rule, either willingly through tribute or by force through His righteous judgment.