Psalm 68 9

Psalm 68:9 kjv

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

Psalm 68:9 nkjv

You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary.

Psalm 68:9 niv

You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Psalm 68:9 esv

Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished;

Psalm 68:9 nlt

You sent abundant rain, O God,
to refresh the weary land.

Psalm 68 verses

Psalm 68 9 Meaning

Psalm 68:9 describes God's compassionate and powerful provision for His people. It illustrates Him sending abundant, life-sustaining rain upon His chosen inheritance, Israel, precisely when they were exhausted or in a state of weakness. This imagery highlights God's sovereignty, His generous care, and His unwavering faithfulness in refreshing and strengthening His covenant people during times of hardship.

Psalm 68 9 Context

Psalm 68 is a grand song of triumph, likely composed for a processional occasion such as the Ark of the Covenant being brought to Jerusalem. It celebrates God as a mighty warrior who scatters His enemies, leads His people out of bondage, and establishes His dwelling among them. The psalm recounts God's historical acts of power, from the Exodus through the wilderness journey to the establishment in the promised land. Verse 9 specifically references a crucial aspect of God's care during Israel's journey—His direct provision and sustained faithfulness to a vulnerable people, perhaps alluding to the wilderness experience where they were weary and entirely dependent on His miraculous supply of water and sustenance. It underscores God's personal involvement and unwavering commitment to His chosen "inheritance" or people.

Psalm 68 9 Word analysis

• You, God (אלהים – Elohim): This title for God emphasizes His power, majesty, and position as the sovereign Creator and Ruler. It highlights that the subsequent actions are purely divine, not humanly originated. In this context, it underscores His authority as the giver of life-sustaining rain.
• sent (literally "rain of freewill offerings/bounty" - גֶּשֶׁם נְדָבָה – geshem nedavah):
  • גֶּשֶׁם (geshem): Literally "rain," specifically a downpour or heavy shower.
  • נְדָבָה (nedavah): This term most often means "freewill offering" or "voluntary gift." Applied to rain, it portrays a rain that is abundant, given generously and spontaneously by God's own will and kindness, not as a repayment or requirement. It counters any idea of earned blessing, emphasizing divine grace. It signifies a lavish, undeserved provision.
• You confirmed (כּוֹנַנְתָּהּ – konantah): From the root כּוּן (kun), meaning "to establish," "to prepare," "to make firm," or "to secure." God is the active agent in strengthening, stabilizing, and restoring what was weak. It denotes divine empowerment and unwavering support.
• Your inheritance (נַחֲלָתְךָ – nachalatcha): Refers to Israel, the people God chose and received as His special possession, and to whom He gave the land as their inheritance. It highlights a deeply personal, covenantal relationship; they are God's own, a treasured possession. This term is foundational to Israel's identity and divine destiny.
• when it was weary (וְהִיא נִלְאָה – v’hi nil'ah):
  • נִלְאָה (nil'ah): From the root לָאָה (la'ah), meaning "to be weary," "faint," "exhausted," or "to grow tired." This vividly describes the state of His people – vulnerable, physically or spiritually drained, unable to sustain themselves. It underscores their complete dependence on God's intervention and mercy.

Words-group analysis:

• "You, God, sent a plentiful rain": This phrase directly confronts pagan deities like Baal, worshipped as storm gods controlling rain. The Psalm firmly declares that it is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sovereignly and generously provides rain – an act of grace and sustenance, not the result of human manipulation or sacrifice to other gods. The "plentiful rain" given as a "freewill offering" underscores His divine sovereignty and unsolicited goodness.
• "You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary": This highlights God's protective and restorative nature. His "inheritance" (Israel) was not always strong; they often faced challenges that left them weak and disheartened, especially in the wilderness. Yet, God proactively "confirmed" or re-established them, providing the necessary vitality and strength. This signifies that God’s covenant commitment extends to sustaining His people even in their weakest moments. It is a powerful affirmation of divine presence and unwavering support in times of need.

Psalm 68 9 Bonus section

This verse contains an implicit anti-idolatrous polemic. In the ancient Near East, rain was often attributed to local storm gods like Baal. By stating "You, God, sent a plentiful rain," the psalm directly attributes this life-sustaining blessing to Yahweh alone, asserting His exclusive control over the natural world and challenging the false claims of rival deities. Furthermore, the term "inheritance" for Israel emphasizes the deep theological bond between God and His people, chosen not by merit, but by His divine decree. This election status brings with it the assurance of divine preservation and care.

Psalm 68 9 Commentary

Psalm 68:9 presents a vivid theological statement about God’s faithful and compassionate provision for His chosen people. The image of "plentiful rain" signifies more than mere physical precipitation; it symbolizes God's outpouring of blessings, renewal, and sustenance in a time of dire need. This divine act is not earned but a generous, spontaneous "freewill offering" from God's hand, underscoring His sovereign grace. The reference to "Your inheritance," Israel, being "weary" evokes the challenging and often exhaustive wilderness journey or periods of affliction. In such weakness, God actively intervenes to "confirm" or strengthen His people, ensuring their stability and continuity. This verse powerfully conveys God’s active presence, unwavering faithfulness, and profound mercy in sustaining His covenant relationship with His people, even when they are at their lowest point. It teaches that God is both the supreme Provider and the faithful Sustainer, perpetually refreshing and restoring those who belong to Him.