Bible Strands
Psalms 68:30
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations, until it submits, bringing bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist issues a divine command directed at hostile powers, placed between a declaration that kings will bring gifts to Jerusalem’s temple and a prediction that envoys from Egypt and Cush will approach God.
The words — The Hebrew גְּעַר (ge'ar) commands a "rebuke," while חַיַּת קָנֶה (chaiyat qaneh) literally translates to "beast of the reeds," identifying the specific regional threat being addressed.
The thread — The scattering of militant nations parallels the enemy dispersion in Psalm 89:10, while the imagery of surrounding bulls recalls Psalm 22:12, and the forced tribute mirrors the temple-focused gift-giving in Psalm 68:29.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s rebuke forces proud kingdoms to submit and deliver silver, requiring the reader to accept that political and military opposition ultimately yields to divine command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
Cross-references
- Psalms 22:12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Psalms 89:10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; You scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
- Romans 7:22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.
- 2 Samuel 8:1 Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
- 2 Samuel 10:1 Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun.
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years.
- 2 Chronicles 20:1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
- Job 40:21 He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
- Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
- Psalms 18:44 When they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cower before me.