Psalm 68:28-31

The composer of Psalm 68 continues the second main section of this poem (verses 19-35) with this petition in verses 28-31:

"Summon your might, O God;
Show your strength, O God,
as you have done for us before.
Because of your temple at Jerusalem,
kings bear gifts to you.
Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples.
Trample under foot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war.
Let bronze be brought from Egypt;
let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God."

1. The poet prays that God who delivered his people from their enemies in days gone by (see verses 4-18) will intervene again and deliver his people now from their enemies. These enemies are hostile nations, symbolized by Egypt and Ethiopia (verses 30-31).
2. The psalmist emphasizes Yahweh's "power" or strength in verses 28-35, actually referring to it seven times (verses 28a, b, 33b, 34a, c, 35c [twice]). God's power is incomparable. No nation or group of nations stands a chance against His strength.
3. While hostile nations seek to force God's people into paying them tribute to prevent them from attacking and destroying God's people (verse 30c), the nations must recognize that Yahweh alone is king (see verse 24b) and thus bring tribute to him (verses 29, 31).
4. As in many biblical texts, here the psalmist compares God's enemies with wild animals and bulls (verse 30a, b; see 17:12; 22:12-13, 16, 20-21; 57:4; 58:6; 59:6, 14; 74:12-14; 89:10; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Philippians 3:2; Titus 1:12; Jude 10).
God's people are always surrounded by hostile enemies of all kinds. It is reassuring to know that "we can do all things through him who strengthens us" (Philippians 4:13).

John Willis