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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 68:16 Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/68-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_068_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 68:16 - God's Enemies Are Scattered" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/68-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/68-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/68.htm">Chapter 68</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/68-15.htm" title="Psalm 68:15">◄</a> Psalm 68:16 <a href="/psalms/68-17.htm" title="Psalm 68:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/68.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/68.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/68.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the LORD himself will live forever?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/68.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/68.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/68.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why leap ye, ye high hills? <i>this is</i> the hill <i>which</i> God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell <i>in it</i> for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/68.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of <i>many</i> peaks? <i>This is</i> the mountain <i>which</i> God desires to dwell in; Yes, the LORD will dwell <i>in it</i> forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/68.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, you mountains of many peaks, At the mountain God has desired as His dwelling? Indeed, the LORD will dwell <i>there</i> forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/68.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks, At the mountain which God has desired for His abode? Surely the LORD will dwell there forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/68.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O mountains with <i>many</i> peaks, At the mountain which God has desired for His abode? Surely, the LORD will dwell <i>there</i> forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/68.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O mountains with <i>many</i> peaks, At the mountain which God has prized for His habitation? Surely Yahweh will dwell <i>there</i> forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/68.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, mountains with many peaks, At the mountain [of the city of Zion] which God has desired for His dwelling place? Yes, the LORD will dwell <i>there</i> forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/68.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for his abode? The LORD will dwell there forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/68.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for His dwelling? The LORD will live there forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/68.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/68.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why is it jealous of Zion, the mountain you chose as your home forever? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/68.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, at the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/68.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, you mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where God has chosen to live? Certainly, the LORD will live there forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/68.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why from your mighty peaks do you look with scorn on the mountain on which God chose to live? The LORD will live there forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/68.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You mountains of many peaks, why do you watch with envy the mountain in which God has chosen to dwell? Indeed, the LORD will live there forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/68.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling, where the LORD will surely dwell forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/68.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where God has decided to live? Indeed the LORD will live there permanently! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/68.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/68.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why leap ye, ye lofty hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yes, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/68.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, Yahweh will dwell there forever. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/68.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you envy, O high hills, "" The hill God has desired for His seat? YHWH also dwells forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/68.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why do ye envy, O high hills, The hill God hath desired for His seat? Jehovah also doth tabernacle for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/68.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore will ye lie in wait, ye mountains of heights? the mountain God desired to dwell in it: also Jehovah will dwell forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/68.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why suspect, ye curdled mountains? A mountain in which God is well pleased to dwell: for there the Lord shall dwell unto the end. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/68.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 67:17>So then, why are you distrustful of dense mountains? The mountain on which God is well pleased to dwell, even there, the Lord will dwell until the end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/68.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You rugged mountains, why look with envy at the mountain where God has chosen to dwell, where the LORD resides forever? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/68.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, where the LORD will reside forever?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/68.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What do you want, O you mountains of Bashan? This is the ridge which God desires to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/68.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />What do you seek in the ridged mountains? The mountain that God has chosen for himself to dwell in, LORD JEHOVAH will dwell in it to eternity.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/68.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks, At the mountain which God hath desired for His abode? Yea, the LORD will dwell therein for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/68.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore do ye conceive <i>evil</i>, ye swelling mountains? <i>this is</i> the mountain which God has delighted to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell <i>in it</i> for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/68-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=7950" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/68.htm">God's Enemies Are Scattered</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>A mountain of God is Mount Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is Mount Bashan. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7520.htm" title="7520: tə·raṣ·ṣə·ḏūn (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To watch (stealthily). A primitive root; probably to look askant, i.e. be jealous.">do you gaze in envy,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·rîm (N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">O mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/1386.htm" title="1386: gaḇ·nun·nîm (N-mp) -- A peak, rounded summit. From the same as gibben; a hump or peak of hills.">of many peaks?</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">This is the mountain</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/2530.htm" title="2530: ḥā·maḏ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To desire, take pleasure in. A primitive root; to delight in.">chose</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: lə·šiḇ·tōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">for His dwelling,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">where the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄- (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">will surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/7931.htm" title="7931: yiš·kōn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root (by transmission) to shakab through the idea of lodging; compare cikluwth, shakam); to reside or permanently stay.">dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/5331.htm" title="5331: lā·ne·ṣaḥ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity. ">forever.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/15-17.htm">Exodus 15:17</a></span><br />You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance—the place, O LORD, You have prepared for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, Your hands have established.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5</a></span><br />Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-13.htm">1 Kings 8:13</a></span><br />I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-6.htm">2 Chronicles 6:6</a></span><br />But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a></span><br />In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-9.htm">Isaiah 11:9</a></span><br />They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Isaiah 56:7</a></span><br />I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-40.htm">Ezekiel 20:40</a></span><br />For on My holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land. There I will accept them and will require your offerings and choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/4-1.htm">Micah 4:1-2</a></span><br />In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. / And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-3.htm">Zechariah 8:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14</a></span><br />You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1-5</a></span><br />After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a></span><br />“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-32.htm">John 12:32</a></span><br />And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8-12</a></span><br />But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” / After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why leap you, you high hills? this is the hill which God desires to dwell in; yes, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.</p><p class="hdg">Why</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/114-4.htm">Psalm 114:4,6</a></b></br> The mountains skipped like rams, <i>and</i> the little hills like lambs… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass in the last days, <i>that</i> the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.</p><p class="hdg">the hill</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/132-13.htm">Psalm 132:13,14</a></b></br> For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired <i>it</i> for his habitation… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5,11</a></b></br> But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, <i>even</i> unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-3.htm">1 Kings 9:3</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/38-19.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/psalms/47-4.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/psalms/68-6.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/5-2.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/psalms/66-7.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">High</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/psalms/65-12.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/psalms/18-29.htm">Leap</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Many-Peaked</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Peaks</a> <a href="/job/34-30.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/psalms/68-10.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Rugged</a> <a href="/psalms/61-7.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/psalms/66-19.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/61-4.htm">Tabernacle</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/76-2.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-20.htm">Chooses</a> <a href="/psalms/73-25.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-12.htm">Desireth</a> <a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/psalms/69-23.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">High</a> <a href="/psalms/78-54.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/psalms/72-3.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-4.htm">Leap</a> <a href="/psalms/68-15.htm">Many-Peaked</a> <a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/psalms/74-2.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/psalms/72-3.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/95-4.htm">Peaks</a> <a href="/psalms/146-10.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/psalms/69-35.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/songs/2-17.htm">Rugged</a> <a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/psalms/68-21.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/74-7.htm">Tabernacle</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 68</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/68-1.htm">A prayer at the removing of the ark</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/68-4.htm">An exhortation to praise God for his mercies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/68-7.htm">for his care of the church</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/68-19.htm">for his great works</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical context, mountains often symbolize strength and stability. The "mountains of many peaks" could refer to the majestic ranges surrounding Jerusalem, such as the Mount of Olives or the hills of Bashan. These mountains, despite their grandeur, are not chosen by God, highlighting the theme of divine election. This reflects the biblical principle that God's choices often defy human expectations, as seen in His selection of David, the youngest son, to be king (<a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-13</a>).<p><b>This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling,</b><br>The mountain referred to here is Mount Zion, the site of Jerusalem and the Temple. Biblically, Zion is significant as the spiritual center of Israel, chosen by God as His earthly dwelling place. This choice underscores the importance of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan, as it becomes the focal point for worship and the presence of God among His people. Theologically, this prefigures the New Jerusalem described in <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21</a>, where God will dwell with humanity eternally.<p><b>where the LORD will surely dwell forever.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the permanence of God's presence on Mount Zion. Historically, the Temple in Jerusalem was seen as the dwelling place of God, where His glory resided (<a href="/1_kings/8-10.htm">1 Kings 8:10-11</a>). The assurance of God's eternal dwelling points to the eschatological hope of God's unending reign. In Christian theology, this is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is described as the true temple (<a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a>) and in whom God's presence is fully realized. The eternal dwelling also anticipates the ultimate fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth, where God's presence will be with His people forever (<a href="/revelation/21-3.htm">Revelation 21:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains_of_many_peaks.htm">Mountains of Many Peaks</a></b><br>These represent the various majestic mountains that might symbolize power, grandeur, or spiritual significance. In the context of this verse, they are personified as being envious of the mountain God has chosen.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_chosen_mountain.htm">God's Chosen Mountain</a></b><br>This refers to Mount Zion, the place God selected as His dwelling place. It holds significant spiritual importance as the center of worship and God's presence among His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. He is the one who chooses where to dwell.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/envy.htm">Envy</a></b><br>The emotion attributed to the other mountains, symbolizing a desire for the honor and significance that comes with being chosen by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/dwelling.htm">Dwelling</a></b><br>The act of God residing among His people, signifying His presence, protection, and blessing.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_choice.htm">God's Sovereign Choice</a></b><br>God chooses where He will dwell, and His choice is not based on human standards of greatness or beauty. This reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/significance_of_god's_presence.htm">Significance of God's Presence</a></b><br>The presence of God transforms a place, making it holy and significant. In our lives, we should seek to be places where God's presence dwells, through faith and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_plan.htm">Contentment in God's Plan</a></b><br>Just as the mountains are depicted as envious, we too can struggle with envy. We must learn to be content with God's plan and purpose for our lives, trusting that His choices are perfect.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_dwelling.htm">Eternal Dwelling</a></b><br>God's dwelling is eternal, signifying His unchanging nature and eternal commitment to His people. We can find assurance in the permanence of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_68.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 68</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'incline_your_ear'_mean.htm">Should we escape to the mountains for safety?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sacrifices_compare_in_psalms.htm">Psalm 4:5: How do sacrifices of righteousness compare to other biblical texts that claim God does not desire sacrifice (e.g., Psalm 51:16), creating potential inconsistency?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_favor_multiple_mountains.htm">Psalm 68:15-16: Why does God seem to favor multiple mountains when other biblical texts emphasize Zion as the central place of worship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_good_exist_without_god.htm">(Psalm 16:2) How can the psalmist claim to have no good apart from God, when nonbelievers also demonstrate goodness and virtue without a religious framework?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/68.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Why leap ye?</span>--The verb occurs only here, but is explained by Delitzsch, by comparison with an Arabic root, to express the attitude of a beast crouching down for a spring on its prey; a fine image: the jealous hills lying, like panthers, ready to spring on the passing Israelites. Or does the old feeling of jealousy of the tribes on the other side of Jordan still show itself lurking in this verse? Browning has an image some what similar:--<p>"Those two hills on the right<p>Crouched like two bulls."<p>Others make the meaning simply "to look enviously on." The older versions have caught the sense, "Why watch with suspicion?" We may translate the verse, <span class= "ital">Why, mountains of many peaks, glare ye at the mountain which God hath desired for a residence? Yea, Jehovah will dwell there for ever.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/68.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why leap ye, ye high hills?</span> rather, <span class="accented">Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks?</span> In jealousy at not being chosen. <span class="cmt_word">This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in;</span> rather, <span class="accented">on the mountain which God desireth to dwell in</span> - a continuation of the preceding sentence. The mountain intended is, of course, Mount Zion, a comparatively low elevation. <span class="cmt_word">Yea, the Lord will dwell in it forever;</span> <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. make it his permanent, not merely his temporary, habitation, like Sinai. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/68-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֤מָּה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do you gaze in envy,</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּֽרַצְּדוּן֮</span> <span class="translit">(tə·raṣ·ṣə·ḏūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7520.htm">Strong's 7520: </a> </span><span class="str2">To look askant, be jealous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִ֪ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of many peaks?</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּבְנֻ֫נִּ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(gaḇ·nun·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1386.htm">Strong's 1386: </a> </span><span class="str2">A peak, rounded summit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[This is] the mountain</span><br /><span class="heb">הָהָ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">chose</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמַ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·maḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2530.htm">Strong's 2530: </a> </span><span class="str2">To desire, take pleasure in</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for [His] dwelling,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשִׁבְתּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šiḇ·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֝הוָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will surely</span><br /><span class="heb">אַף־</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dwell</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁכֹּ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·kōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7931.htm">Strong's 7931: </a> </span><span class="str2">To settle down, abide, dwell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forever.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָנֶֽצַח׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ne·ṣaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5331.htm">Strong's 5331: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/68-16.htm">Psalm 68:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/68-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 68:16 Why do you look in envy you (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/68-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 68:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 68:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/68-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 68:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 68:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>