The Bible Says
Psalm 68:19-23 Meaning

In Psalm 68:19-23, we read: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah. (v. 19). Here the psalmist is proclaiming the ceaseless care of the Lord, emphasizing that God Himself shoulders the concerns of His people. The term daily suggests His ongoing, faithful support, reminding believers that they never face life’s hardships alone. This overflowing gratitude stirs us to recognize God as the source of deliverance, pointing forward to the ultimate salvation found through Christ in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:24).

By calling Him The God who is our salvation, the psalmist highlights that true rescue and restoration originate from God alone. Historically, King David (1010-970 BC) composed many psalms to express trust in the Lord for protection against enemies. This acknowledgment of God’s saving power resonates throughout Scripture, as it underscores the truth that humans depend on His constant deliverance.

The exclamation Blessed be the Lord demonstrates a posture of worship, gratitude, and reverence. Praising Him is the natural response to divine kindness, and it shapes the believer’s heart toward humility. It also reminds us that every day, God’s people can rest on His steadfast reliability and approach life’s trials knowing He bears their burdens.

Continuing in God is to us a God of deliverances; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death (v. 20), the psalmist proclaims that the Lord’s rescue is not a one - time event; it is ongoing and repeated. This stands as both a bold statement of faith and a stirring encouragement that God’s history of saving acts continues in the present.

When the Scripture says a God of deliverances, it conveys that the Lord’s character is defined by His desire to rescue. Believers can look to His interventions throughout biblical history, from the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12) to the resurrected life granted in the gospel. God’s power to save transcends time and is available in every generation.

The phrase escapes from death dramatizes just how complete His deliverance is. This anticipates the victory over the grave achieved by Jesus Christ, who conquered death so that believers might inherit eternal life. The psalmist’s words thus serve as a precursor, foreshadowing the fulfilled hope found in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Next, Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds. (v. 21) asserts how God’s saving power is accompanied by righteous judgment. When the Lord shatters His foes, it highlights His holiness and commitment to uphold justice. This image underscores the seriousness of persistent sin.

The psalmist illustrates divine punishment using the motif of the head of His enemies, signifying their total defeat. The vivid language reveals that no opposition to God’s reign endures permanently. The Lord’s ultimate enforcement of justice offers hope for those who suffer injustice, assuring them that evil does not go unpunished.

Referring to the hairy crown vividly describes the proud and stubborn transgressors whose persistent wrongdoing culminates in a final judgment. This verse points toward God's unyielding stance against evil, which is consistent with the Bible’s broader testimony that wrongdoing is eventually humbled under His might (Revelation 19:11-16).

As the psalm continues, The Lord said, I will bring them back from Bashan. I will bring them back from the depths of the sea (v. 22) the imagery draws on God’s sovereign power over all places. Bashan was a region located east of the Jordan River, known for its fertile lands and formidable armies in ancient times. This indicates that even from strongholds or distant territories, God’s enemies cannot escape His authority.

By mentioning Bashan, the text evokes past military victories in which the Lord vanquished mighty foes (Numbers 21:33-35). It reassures the faithful that no matter where opposition arises - be it on land or in the depths of the sea - God’s reach extends to all corners of the earth. The psalmist’s confidence in God’s sovereignty is unwavering.

The words I will bring them back underscore God’s active role in justice. He orchestrates circumstances to confront those who oppose Him, ensuring that evil cannot hide or prevail forever. The emphasis on God’s dynamic intervention offers His people comfort, reminding them that He sees hidden threats and ultimately delivers His faithful ones.

Finally, That your foot may shatter them in blood, The tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies (v. 23) paints a somber picture of triumph and vindication. Though graphic, this depiction accentuates the extent of God’s victory over wickedness. Evil will be utterly broken, underscoring that the Lord’s justice is awe - inspiring and comprehensive.

By describing the foot of the faithful crushing the enemy and the dogs taking the spoils, the verse illustrates total defeat for those who oppose God. It offers a solemn reminder for us to stand with righteousness, recognizing the seriousness of sin and its dire consequences. Through this, the psalmist assures believers that unrighteousness cannot persist forever in God’s kingdom.

In the overarching biblical narrative, God’s triumph over wrongdoing finds its perfect expression in Christ’s ultimate triumph at the cross, where the powers of darkness were decisively overcome (Colossians 2:15). Verse 23, therefore, points forward to that eternal eradication of evil and the full restoration of God’s righteous order.