Psalms 68:7
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
Original Language Analysis
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
O God
H430
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים
O God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 7
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
בְּ֭צֵאתְךָ
when thou wentest forth
H3318
בְּ֭צֵאתְךָ
when thou wentest forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 7
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 7
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
thy people
H5971
עַמֶּ֑ךָ
thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 7
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּצַעְדְּךָ֖
when thou didst march
H6805
בְּצַעְדְּךָ֖
when thou didst march
Strong's:
H6805
Word #:
5 of 7
to pace, i.e., step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl
Cross References
Exodus 13:21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:Judges 5:4LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.Judges 4:14And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
Historical Context
The wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan lasted 40 years, during which God's visible presence led Israel. This formative experience established trust in God's guidance and provision, making the wilderness a metaphor for any trial where God's presence sustains His people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that God goes before you into uncertain circumstances build courage and faith?
- What 'wilderness' are you currently walking through where you need to see God's leading more clearly?
- In what ways does Christ fulfill the pattern of God marching before His people to secure their way?
Analysis & Commentary
The imagery shifts to God as military leader: 'O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people' recalls the pillar of cloud and fire leading Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). 'Marchedst through the wilderness' emphasizes God's active guidance through desolate, dangerous terrain. This was both historical reality and theological paradigm—God goes before His people into hostile territory, securing their path. It anticipates Christ as the Good Shepherd who goes before His sheep (John 10:4).