Psalms 68:23
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
Original Language Analysis
לְמַ֤עַן׀
H4616
לְמַ֤עַן׀
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תִּֽמְחַ֥ץ
may be dipped
H4272
תִּֽמְחַ֥ץ
may be dipped
Strong's:
H4272
Word #:
2 of 8
to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or destroy
רַגְלְךָ֗
That thy foot
H7272
רַגְלְךָ֗
That thy foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
3 of 8
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
בְּ֫דָ֥ם
in the blood
H1818
בְּ֫דָ֥ם
in the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 8
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
לְשׁ֥וֹן
and the tongue
H3956
לְשׁ֥וֹן
and the tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
5 of 8
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
כְּלָבֶ֑יךָ
of thy dogs
H3611
כְּלָבֶ֑יךָ
of thy dogs
Strong's:
H3611
Word #:
6 of 8
a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute
Cross References
Psalms 58:10The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.1 Kings 21:19And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.1 Kings 22:38And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare included such graphic victory imagery. While disturbing to modern readers, it honestly portrayed the stakes of conflict between God's kingdom and evil powers opposing Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's love and mercy with His fierce judgment on unrepentant evil?
- What does complete victory over spiritual enemies look like in your daily life?
- How does Christ's decisive triumph over Satan encourage you in ongoing spiritual struggles?
Analysis & Commentary
The graphic imagery of feet dipped in blood and dogs licking enemies' blood depicts complete military victory. While unsettling, this language emphasizes total triumph over evil. In ancient warfare, such imagery signified decisive, irreversible defeat. Spiritually, it points to Christ's absolute victory over sin, death, and Satan—a victory so complete that His enemies are made His footstool (Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 10:13).