The Bible Says
Psalm 68:28-31 Meaning

In Psalm 68:28-31, David, who served as king of Israel around 1010 to 970 BC, calls upon God’s power when he proclaims, Your God has commanded your strength; Show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf (v. 28). These words emphasize that the command for strength comes from the Lord Himself, signifying His sovereign authority. In asking God to display His power actively, David acknowledges that past experiences of deliverance and provision were demonstrations of divine favor. God’s people, in David’s time and beyond, often found themselves in circumstances where human effort would not prevail, yet they trusted God’s intervention according to His covenant promises (Genesis 12:1-3, Romans 8:28). This verse resonates with the believer who has felt God’s sustaining power in the face of overwhelming adversity, pointing to the unchanging truth that the Lord is our Strength.

In another sense, Your God has commanded your strength reminds readers of the divine empowerment that God grants to those who seek Him. Much like the early followers of Jesus, who were told to rely on the Holy Spirit for their mission (Acts 1:8), people of every era are encouraged to draw upon God’s limitless resources. The appeal, Show Yourself strong, points to the believer’s heart - cry for God to be visibly active, shaping human events and circumstances for His glory. It underscores that no matter how circumstances shift, God remains constant, ready to answer prayers that align with His purpose.

David’s mention of God having acted on our behalf also highlights a historical perspective. Throughout Israel’s history, from the Exodus out of Egypt under Moses (1446 BC) to their establishment in the Promised Land under Joshua, the Lord repeatedly displayed His might. This recollection of deliverance in the past stirs hope and praise for present and future situations, illustrating that God’s deeds in history fuel the faith of His people.

Continuing, David declares, Because of Your temple at Jerusalem Kings will bring gifts to You (v. 29). Jerusalem, situated in the ancient region of Judea, became the political and spiritual center of Israel during David’s reign. It is the place where Solomon, David’s son, would build the temple, a testament to God’s presence among His people. Kings of various nations brought tributes to honor God, symbolically affirming His supreme rulership over all. This reflects the biblical motif of worldly powers paying homage to the true King, seen later in the New Testament when magi from the East present their gifts to the child Jesus (Matthew 2:11).

Because of Your temple at Jerusalem also conveys that God’s sanctuary serves as a visible manifestation of His holiness and governance. Rulers from surrounding regions recognized the temple not just as a local place of worship, but as a center representing the God of Israel’s dominion. The imagery of kings will bring gifts underlines the universal desire for blessings and peace that they found by acknowledging the God of Israel. In modern reflection, this verse can be connected to the broader acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, as Psalm 2 also speaks of kings being warned to pay homage to the Lord.

The priority is God’s glory: David’s words are not about celebrating human might, but about exalting the divine. The mention of Jerusalem as a hub of worship continues to remind believers that God is the ultimate source of spiritual blessing and deliverance, so that even political powers find themselves drawn to the grace of the Lord who abides among His people.

David then petitions the Lord to Rebuke the beasts in the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war (v. 30). This richly symbolic language evokes images of destructive powers and violent oppressors being subdued by God’s spoken rebuke. Ancient Israel faced frequent threats from hostile nations, but David recognized that victory ultimately came from God Himself. The phrase beasts in the reeds can portray enemies lurking and biding their time to strike, a tactic of aggression that needs divine subjugation.

The mention of the herd of bulls conjures up images of dominating, raging forces that threaten the defenseless. David trusts that the Lord alone can neutralize the wealth and alliances of warlike people, metaphorically indicated by the pieces of silver they trample underfoot. There is also a moral dimension: those who delight in war set themselves against God’s commands for peace and justice. Just as Jesus taught His followers to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), the Psalm emphasizes that God steps in against those who thrive on conflict.

In David’s time, scattering hostile nations illustrated the seriousness of God’s justice. Believers today can see the correlation between these ancient enemies and the spiritual forces or adversities they face. The promise remains that the Lord will deal with every threat to His kingdom. Ultimate victory belongs to Him, and peace will prevail under His rule, foreshadowing the final triumph of Christ over evil (Revelation 20:10).

Finally, David proclaims, Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God (v. 31). Egypt, historically located in northeast Africa along the Nile River, played a pivotal role in Israel’s beginnings. Israel’s departure from Egyptian slavery (1446 BC) became a central event establishing God’s identity as Deliverer. Ethiopia, to the south of Egypt in the Horn of Africa, was a mighty kingdom as well, known in some translations as Cush. Its mention indicates God’s reach extending beyond immediate neighbors, covering distant lands and peoples drawn to worship Him.

This vision of kingdoms like Egypt and Ethiopia offering allegiance to God highlights His desire that all the earth acknowledge His lordship. Foreign nations, once perceived as powerful adversaries, are pictured turning toward the Lord. Such a theme recurs in Scripture, culminating in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). All are welcomed to come under the life - giving rule of the one true God, a hope first foreshadowed by these messianic hints in David’s psalm.

In a broader gospel arc, the readiness of Egypt and Ethiopia to seek God reflects the overarching biblical narrative of restoration and reconciliation. The nations are no longer only adversaries but become worshipers, affirming humanity’s shared calling to honor the Creator. David’s longing for the world to unite in praise resonates with God’s plan to gather people from every tribe and tongue in the heavenly kingdom (Revelation 7:9). Such inclusive worship underscores the thrilling expansiveness of His grace.