Scattering God’s Enemies

An Allusion to Numbers 10:35 in Psalm 68:1

Mar 20, 2025

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Four traditionally dressed Jewish priests carry on their shoulders the Ark of the Covenant that was in the Temple and in the tabernacle made of gold. Flat vector illustration on a white background An amazing vector painting of priests working in the Temple while working in traditional dress of beautiful and special priestly garments carrying on their shoulders the Ark of the Testimony The Ark of the Covenant The golden Ark above which are cherubs as it was in the Temple in Jerusalem and in the Tabernacle carrying the ark of the covenant stock illustrations

Psalm 68 is from David, and it is one of the most triumphant and heart-stirring songs in the Psalter. King David describes the procession and ascension of Yahweh, likely envisioning Yahweh’s ark going out to battle—as in the historical conquest under Joshua—and arriving, ultimately, in Jerusalem for rest and reign.

The opening of Psalm 68 is an explosive pronouncement, but the words in that verse aren’t original with David. The reason David says what he does is because he knows what earlier Scripture says.