Psalms 68:12
Psalms 68:12 in Multiple Translations
“Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder.
Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.
Kings of armies quickly go in flight: and the women in the houses make a division of their goods.
The kings of the foreign armies are quick to run away, and the women who stayed at home divide the plunder!
Kings of the armies did flee: they did flee, and she that remained in the house, deuided the spoyle.
Kings of hosts flee utterly away, And a female inhabitant of the house apportioneth spoil.
“Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder,
Kings of armies fled apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
And I made haircloth my garment: and I became a byword to them.
They proclaimed, “Many kings and their armies are running away from our army!” When our army brought back to their homes the things that they captured, the women who were at home divided up those things among themselves and among their families.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 68:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 68:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
יִתֶּן
אֹ֑מֶר
הַֽ֝/מְבַשְּׂר֗וֹת
צָבָ֥א
רָֽב
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יִתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֹ֑מֶר
ʼômer
H562
word
N-ms
הַֽ֝/מְבַשְּׂר֗וֹת
bâsar
H1319
to bear tidings
Art | V-Piel
צָבָ֥א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cs
רָֽב
rab
H7227
many
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 68:12
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יִתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֹ֑מֶר
ʼômer
H562
"word"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to something that is said, like a promise, speech, or command. It is often used to describe God's word or a person's speech.
Definition: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: promise, speech, thing, word. See also: Job 22:28; Psalms 68:12; Psalms 19:3.
הַֽ֝/מְבַשְּׂר֗וֹת
bâsar
H1319
"to bear tidings"
Art | V-Piel
Basar means to bear tidings or announce good news, often used to describe preaching or publishing glad news. It is used in the Bible to describe the spread of salvation or joyful messages.
Definition: 1) to bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, show forth 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to gladden with good news 1a2) to bear news 1a3) to announce (salvation) as good news, preach 1b) (Hithpael) to receive good news
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: messenger, preach, publish, shew forth, (bear, bring, carry, preach, good, tell good) tidings. See also: 1 Samuel 4:17; 1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalms 40:10.
צָבָ֥א
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cs
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
רָֽב
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 68:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 68:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 68:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 68:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 68:12
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 68:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
- Sermons on Psalms 68:12
Context — God’s Enemies Are Scattered
10Your flock settled therein; O God, from Your bounty You provided for the poor.
11The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it:
12“Kings and their armies flee in haste; she who waits at home divides the plunder.
13Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.” 14When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 10:16 | Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. |
| 2 | Judges 5:19 | Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no plunder of silver. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 30:24 | Who will listen to your proposal? The share of the one who went to battle will match the share of the one who stayed with the supplies. They will share alike.” |
| 4 | Joshua 12:7–24 | And these are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (according to the allotments to the tribes of Israel, Joshua gave them as an inheritance the hill country, the foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites): the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one; the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Gilgal, one; and the king of Tirzah, one. So there were thirty-one kings in all. |
| 5 | Numbers 31:8–9 | Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. |
| 6 | Numbers 31:27 | Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation. |
| 7 | Judges 5:30 | ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil— a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’ |
| 8 | Joshua 10:42 | And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign. |
| 9 | Revelation 19:17–20 | Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. |
| 10 | Numbers 31:54 | And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD. |
Psalms 68:12 Summary
This verse is saying that even the most powerful enemies can be defeated quickly when God is on our side, just like in the stories of Exodus 14:28 and Joshua 10:10. The woman waiting at home represents those who trust in God and are faithful, and she gets to enjoy the blessings and rewards of God's victory. This reminds us that when we trust in God, we can have confidence that He will work everything out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. By trusting in God, we can experience spiritual victories and blessings in our own lives, just like the woman in the verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for kings and their armies to flee in haste?
This phrase suggests a sudden and swift defeat of powerful enemies, much like the victories described in Exodus 14:28 and Joshua 10:10, where God fought on behalf of His people.
Who is the woman waiting at home who divides the plunder?
This woman is likely a representation of the faithful believers who remain steadfast in their trust of God, much like the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31, who is blessed and rewarded for her faithfulness.
What is the significance of dividing the plunder?
Dividing the plunder represents the spoils of war, which in this context symbolize the spiritual victories and blessings that come from trusting in God, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:10 and Psalm 37:3-4.
How does this verse apply to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that our trust in God can lead to victory over the challenges we face, and that even in times of uncertainty, God is working on our behalf, as promised in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I'm facing a 'battle' and how can I trust God to give me victory?
- In what ways can I be like the woman waiting at home, trusting God and being faithful in my daily life?
- How can I 'divide the plunder' in my own life, recognizing and giving thanks for the spiritual blessings and victories God has given me?
- What are some ways I can share my story of God's faithfulness with others, like the great company of women proclaiming it in Psalm 68:11?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 68:12
Kings of armies did flee apace,.... Or "they fled, they fled" (y); or "they flee, they flee".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 68:12
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. -God's doings for His people from the time of their entrance into Canaan until the setting up of the sanctuary in Zion. Verse 11.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
Kings of armies; the kings of Canaan and other nations which came forth against the Israelites, accompanied with great and numerous armies. The spoil was so much, that there was enough, not only for the proper use of those who took it, but also to be divided to their wives and children when they came home. This verse and that which follows may be taken, either, 1. For the triumphant song sung by those publishers mentioned . Or, 2. For the words of David, continuing the relation of the victories granted by God to Israel ever their enemies.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
Psalms 68:12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.Ver. 12. Kings of armies did flee apace] Heb. did flee, did flee. Or, shall flee, shall flee; which one interpreteth of devils (called principalities and powers), formerly using to give oracles; but after Christ’ s birth ceasing to do so. As also of Licinius and other tyrants fleeing before Constantine, the first Christian emperor. See Revelation 9:11. Antichrist is the king of locusts, and he fleeth daily before the Evangelici, the new gospellers, as he calleth them. Bellarmine complaineth, that ever since we held the Pope to be antichrist, non mode non crevit eius imperium, sed semper magis ac magis deerevit, his kingdom hath not only not increased, but more and more daily decreased (Lib. iii. de Pont. Rein., cap. 21). And she that tarried at home divided the spoil] That is, tota congregatio quae non pugnabat, says Kimchi. Or, the women also (those domi portae) came forth to pillage.
These days of the gospel do abound with many godly matrons and holy virgins. And it is easy to observe that the New Testament affordeth more store of good women than the Old.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
(12) Kings of armies did flee apace.—Better, Kings of armies flee, flee. This and the two next verses wear the air of being a fragment of those ancient battle-songs sung by the women after the defeat of the foe. The fact that they have thus been torn from their original context accounts for the great obscurity which hangs over them. And she that tarried . . .—i.e., the woman keeping the house; so the Hebrew. (Comp. Judges 5:24, “Women of the tent;” and the fond anticipations of Sisera’s mother, Psalms 68:29.) So the Greeks called the mistress of the house οὶκουρός. (Eur. Herc. Fur. 45.) Though this sense thus gives a general description of war, and the women waiting eagerly for the victorious home-coming is a picture true to life, yet the next verse indicates that we must suppose a latent reference to some tribe or party who shirked the dangers of battle, and played the part of the stay-at-home.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
Verse 12. Kings of armies did flee] Jabin and the kings of the Canaanites, who united their forces to overwhelm the Israelites. And she] Deborah the prophetess, a woman accustomed to tarry at home, and take care of the family; she divided the spoils, and vanquished their kings.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 68:12
12. Kings of hosts do flee, do flee, And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil. Psalms 68:12-14. contain allusions to the Song of Deborah and possibly to similar poems which have not been preserved to us. Many commentators regard them as the triumphal song of the women celebrating the victory; but it is better to take them as the continuation of the poet’s description of the victory. The verses run in pairs, and Psalms 68:13 is parallel to Psalms 68:12. The first line paints the scene in the battle-field—the pell-mell rout of the defeated kings: the second line depicts the scene at home when the warriors have returned with their spoils. The unusual expression kings of hosts seems to be chosen with reference to the title Jehovah of hosts. Vast as their armies may be, they are powerless to resist One who has infinitely stronger armies at His command. The graphic repetition do flee, do flee recalls the form of Jdg 5:22; and the next line recalls the words of Jdg 5:30. The battle has been won; the warriors return home with their spoils; and the matron who has anxiously awaited the issue of the battle divides among her family the rich garments and ornaments taken from the enemy.
Cp. Judges 8:26; 2 Samuel 1:24; 2 Kings 7:8; 2 Kings 7:15.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 68:12
Kings of armies did flee apace - Margin, as in Hebrew, did flee, did flee. This is the Hebrew mode of expressing that which is emphatic or superlative. It is by simply repeating the word.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 68:12
12. Kings of armies—That is, kings with their armies. Did flee apace— Hebrew, Shall flee, shall flee. The rout shall be total and irretrievable.
Sermons on Psalms 68:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Forsaken and Found by Thomas Bradbury | Thomas Bradbury preaches on the marvellous grace of Jehovah-Jesus revealed in the narrative of David finding an Egyptian in the field. The sermon highlights the kindness and compas |
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A Salute to Those Who Stayed With It by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing the diverse callings within the body of Christ. Using the story of David and his army in 1 Samuel 30, it highligh |
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Waiting or Doing by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of contentment and obedience to God's will, emphasizing that whether we are called to worship in stillness or serve in busyness, |
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Tarrying by the Stuff by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the vital role of those who 'tarry by the stuff' in the mission of God, paralleling David's decision to share the spoils of victory with those who stayed be |
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Staying by the Stuff by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of those who 'stay by the stuff' in the context of David's victory over the Amalekites, illustrating that both the front-line soldiers and th |
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Thirty-One Kings, or the Victory Over Self by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the spiritual battle against the 'thirty-one kings' representing various forms of self-life that hinder our relationship with God. He explains that while gr |
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Joshua Chapter 5 Thirty-One Kings, or the Victory Over Self by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the spiritual battle against the 'thirty-one kings' representing various forms of self-life that hinder a deeper relationship with God. He explains that whi |