Psalms 68:16
Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֤מָּה׀
H4100
לָ֤מָּה׀
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תְּֽרַצְּדוּן֮
Why leap
H7520
תְּֽרַצְּדוּן֮
Why leap
Strong's:
H7520
Word #:
2 of 12
probably to look askant, i.e., (figuratively) be jealous
הָהָ֗ר
hills
H2022
הָהָ֗ר
hills
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
3 of 12
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָהָ֗ר
hills
H2022
הָהָ֗ר
hills
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
5 of 12
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
which God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
which God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְשִׁבְתּ֑וֹ
to dwell in
H3427
לְשִׁבְתּ֑וֹ
to dwell in
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אַף
H637
אַף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
9 of 12
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
yea the LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
yea the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Mount Zion, Jerusalem's site, was strategically located but not particularly impressive physically. Yet God chose it for His temple, making it the center of His covenant people's worship and identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's election of the unlikely or insignificant challenge worldly criteria for value?
- What does it mean that God chooses to dwell with His people 'forever'?
- In what ways are you tempted to judge worth by external impressiveness rather than God's choice?
Analysis & Commentary
Bashan's heights 'leap' with envy at Zion, the hill God chose for His dwelling. Despite Zion's modest elevation, God's selection makes it supremely significant. 'The Lord will dwell in it for ever' promises eternal presence—fulfilled ultimately in the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people perpetually (Revelation 21:3). Divine choice, not human merit or natural advantage, determines worth and destiny.