Psalms 68:25

25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

Psalms 68:25 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
English Standard Version (ESV)
25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:
New Living Translation (NLT)
25 Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines.
The Message Bible (MSG)
25 Singers out front, the band behind, maidens in the middle with castanets.
American Standard Version (ASV)
25 The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
25 The singers are in front. The musicians are behind them. The young women beating tambourines are between them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
25 Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
25 The singers are walking in front. Next come those who play the music. Young women playing tambourines are with them.

Psalms 68:25 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 68:25

The singers went before
The apostles and ministers of the word, the sweet singers of Israel, the charmers that charm so very wisely: the Gospel is a joyful sound; it is like vocal music, harmonious and delightful; it is as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, as Ezekiel's ministry was, ( Ezekiel 33:32 ) ; it is a voice of love, grace, and mercy, of peace, pardon, and righteousness, and of eternal life and salvation by Christ; it is as music in the ears of sensible souls, when sounded forth, and sung out clearly and distinctly by the faithful ministers of it. The allusion seems to be to singers going before armies, when marching to battle, or returning with victory; see ( 2 Chronicles 20:21 2 Chronicles 20:28 ) ;

the players on instruments [followed] after;
so the sweet strains of the Gospel, the melodious notes and distinguishing sounds of it, as well as the praises of God's people, are, in the New Testament, signified by harps, and men's playing upon them, ( Revelation 5:8 ) ( 14:2 ) ( 15:2 ) ;

amongst [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels;
or "in the midst of the virgins playing [with] timbrels" F21; or "beating on tabrets"; as women used to do when they met their kings returning from the conquest of their enemies; see ( 1 Samuel 18:6 1 Samuel 18:7 ) ; these may be the pure and primitive churches of Christ, and the members thereof, rejoicing at the preaching of the Gospel, and praising God for the blessings of grace in it; in the midst of which the ministers of the word sung the new song of Gospel truths: and who may be compared to damsels or virgins for their beauty and comeliness through Christ; for their relation to him, being betrothed unto him; and for their strong and chaste affection for him; for their uncorruptness in doctrine and worship, and their uprightness in their lives and conversation, ( Revelation 14:4 ) ; the allusion may be to Miriam and the women with her at the Red sea, ( Exodus 15:20 ) ; and the Targum interprets the whole verse of Moses and Aaron singing at the Red sea, and of Miriam and the women playing with timbrels.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 (twmle Kwtb) "in medio puellarum", Pagninus, Montanus; "inter puellas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Cocceius, Gejerus.

Psalms 68:25 In-Context

23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”
24 Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
26 Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S 1 Chronicles 15:16
  • 2. S 1 Chronicles 6:31; S 2 Chronicles 5:12; Revelation 18:22
  • 3. S Genesis 31:27; S Isaiah 5:12; Judges 11:34; 1 Chronicles 13:8
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