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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/68-20.htm" title="Psalm 68:20">◄</a> Psalm 68:21 <a href="/psalms/68-22.htm" title="Psalm 68:22">►</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 />Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/68.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/68.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/68.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/68.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But God shall wound the head of his enemies, <i>and</i> the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/68.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/68.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />God certainly will shatter the heads of His enemies, The hairy head of one who goes about in his guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/68.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/68.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/68.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Surely God will crush the head of His enemies, The hairy skull of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/68.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of one who goes on in his guilty ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/68.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely God crushes the heads of his enemies, the hairy brow of one who goes on in his guilty acts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/68.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely God crushes the heads of His enemies, the hairy head of one who goes on in his guilty acts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/68.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/68.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our Lord and our God, your terrible enemies are ready for war, but you will crush their skulls. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/68.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But God shall smite through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/68.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Certainly, God will crush the heads of his enemies [and destroy even] the hair on the heads of those who continue to be guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/68.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God will surely break the heads of his enemies, of those who persist in their sinful ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/68.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />God surely strikes the heads of his enemies, even the hairy heads of those who continue in their guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/68.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/68.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Indeed God strikes the heads of his enemies, the hairy foreheads of those who persist in rebellion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/68.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/68.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But God will wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such one as goeth on still in his trespasses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/68.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/68.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only—God strikes "" The head of His enemies, "" The hairy crown of a habitual walker in his guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/68.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Only -- God doth smite The head of His enemies, The hairy crown of a habitual walker in his guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/68.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also God will crush the head of his enemies, the crown of him going about in his faults.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/68.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But God shall break the heads of his enemies: the hairy crown of them that walk on in their sins. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/68.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 67:22>So then, truly, God will break the heads of his enemies, the hairy skull of those who wander around in their offenses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/68.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy scalp of the one who walks in sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/68.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But God will shatter the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/68.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But God shall sever the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of the head of those who persist in their sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/68.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But God will cut off the head of his enemies and the hairy scalp of those who walk in their sins.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/68.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Surely God will smite through the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of him that goeth about in his guiltiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/68.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But God shall crust the heads of his enemies; the hairy crown of them that go on in their trespasses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/68-21.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=7998" 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">20</span>Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">Surely</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/4272.htm" title="4272: yim·ḥaṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or destroy.">will crush</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">the heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇāw (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">of His enemies,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8181.htm" title="8181: śê·‘ār (N-ms) -- Hair. Or sa.ar; from sa'ar in the sense of dishevelling; hair.">the hairy</a> <a href="/hebrew/6936.htm" title="6936: qā·ḏə·qōḏ (N-msc) -- Head, crown of the head. From qadad; the crown of the head.">crowns</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: miṯ·hal·lêḵ (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">of those who persist</a> <a href="/hebrew/817.htm" title="817: ba·’ă·šā·māw (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Offense, guilt. From 'asham; guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering.">in guilty ways.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan, I will bring them up from the depths of the sea,…<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="/deuteronomy/32-39.htm">Deuteronomy 32:39</a></span><br />See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-16.htm">Isaiah 66:16</a></span><br />For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-31.htm">Jeremiah 25:31</a></span><br />The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-4.htm">Ezekiel 18:4</a></span><br />Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">1 Samuel 2:10</a></span><br />Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-4.htm">Isaiah 11:4</a></span><br />but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></span><br />In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</a></span><br />When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-6</a></span><br />Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-31.htm">Jeremiah 50:31</a></span><br />“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-56.htm">Jeremiah 51:56</a></span><br />For a destroyer is coming against her—against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Nahum 1:2</a></span><br />The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Malachi 4:1</a></span><br />“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-28.htm">Matthew 10:28</a></span><br />Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-5.htm">Luke 12:5</a></span><br />But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goes on still in his trespasses.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Psalm 110:6</a></b></br> He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill <i>the places</i> with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/3-13.htm">Habakkuk 3:13</a></b></br> Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, <i>even</i> for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/12-4.htm">Mark 12:4</a></b></br> And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded <i>him</i> in the head, and sent <i>him</i> away shamefully handled.</p><p class="hdg">the hairy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Psalm 55:23</a></b></br> But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.</p><p class="hdg">of such</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/68-18.htm">Psalm 68:18</a></b></br> Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, <i>for</i> the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell <i>among them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Psalm 7:12</a></b></br> If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24</a></b></br> Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/14-2.htm">Continues</a> <a href="/psalms/65-11.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-13.htm">Crowns</a> <a href="/psalms/18-29.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/psalms/60-12.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/psalms/66-5.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/psalms/68-1.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezra/9-15.htm">Guiltiness</a> <a href="/psalms/34-21.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Habitual</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">Hairy</a> <a href="/psalms/68-1.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/64-8.htm">Head</a> <a href="/psalms/66-12.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-41.htm">Scalp</a> <a href="/psalms/62-3.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/psalms/65-3.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/psalms/18-38.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/psalms/18-38.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/psalms/68-16.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ezra/9-15.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/psalms/66-19.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/psalms/68-20.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/42-10.htm">Wound</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/72-17.htm">Continues</a> <a href="/psalms/89-39.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/psalms/103-4.htm">Crowns</a> <a href="/psalms/68-23.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/psalms/71-24.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/psalms/71-15.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/psalms/68-23.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/psalms/69-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/68-33.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Guiltiness</a> <a href="/psalms/109-7.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/psalms/106-39.htm">Habitual</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">Hairy</a> <a href="/psalms/69-19.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Head</a> <a href="/psalms/68-27.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-17.htm">Scalp</a> <a href="/psalms/68-23.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/psalms/89-23.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Strike</a> <a href="/psalms/73-1.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/69-5.htm">Trespasses</a> <a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/psalms/73-9.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/psalms/77-13.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/69-26.htm">Wound</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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The imagery of crushing heads is reminiscent of ancient Near Eastern warfare, where decapitation symbolized total defeat. Biblically, this echoes <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a>, where God promises that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, a prophecy often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's victory over Satan. The concept of God as a warrior is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, as seen in <a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>, where God is described as a "man of war." This phrase reassures believers of God's power and justice, affirming that He will decisively deal with evil.<p><b>the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways</b><br>The "hairy crowns" likely refer to the heads of warriors or leaders, as long hair was often associated with strength and virility in ancient cultures, such as the Nazirite vow in <a href="/numbers/6.htm">Numbers 6</a>. This imagery may also allude to the pride and arrogance of those who oppose God, as seen in the story of Absalom, whose long hair became his downfall (<a href="/2_samuel/18-9.htm">2 Samuel 18:9</a>). The phrase "persist in guilty ways" highlights the stubbornness and continual rebellion of God's enemies. It serves as a warning that persistent sin leads to judgment, aligning with the broader biblical theme that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (<a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a>). This passage underscores the certainty of divine retribution for those who refuse to repent and turn from their sinful paths.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, depicted as a divine warrior who executes judgment on His enemies.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_god.htm">Enemies of God</a></b><br>Those who oppose God and His purposes, characterized by their persistent sinful behavior.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hairy_crowns.htm">Hairy Crowns</a></b><br>A metaphorical expression referring to the pride and arrogance of God's enemies, possibly indicating their strength or status.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of this Psalm, David often wrote about God's deliverance and justice.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation often under threat from surrounding enemies, relying on God's protection and justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_sovereignty.htm">God's Justice and Sovereignty</a></b><br>God is depicted as a just ruler who will ultimately defeat His enemies. This assures believers of His control over all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Persistent sin leads to judgment. This serves as a warning to turn away from sinful ways and seek God's forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection_for_believers.htm">Divine Protection for Believers</a></b><br>Just as God protects Israel, He offers protection to His people today. Believers can trust in His deliverance from spiritual and physical threats.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_pride.htm">The Futility of Pride</a></b><br>The "hairy crowns" symbolize human pride and arrogance, which are ultimately futile against God's power. Humility before God is essential.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_christ's_victory.htm">Hope in Christ's Victory</a></b><br>The ultimate crushing of God's enemies points to the hope believers have in Christ's final victory over sin and death.<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/how_is_god's_wrath_reconciled_with_love.htm">Psalm 21:8-10: How can the depiction of God's fiery wrath be reconciled with other scriptures portraying God as loving and merciful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_in_psalm_50_21.htm">In Psalm 50:21, why would a just God choose silence in the face of evil, and doesn't this clash with other scriptures depicting divine intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_54_5_differ_from_matt_5_44.htm">Why does Psalm 54:5 predict exact retribution from God, when other biblical passages (e.g., Matthew 5:44) recommend praying for enemies instead?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_13_4_align_with_god_as_protector.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 13:4's fear of enemies triumphing with the Bible's portrayal of God as an ultimate protector?</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>(21) <span class= "bld">Hairy scalp.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">crown, </span>or <span class= "ital">top, </span>or <span class= "ital">head of hair. </span>The word is rendered "pate" in <a href="/psalms/7-16.htm" title="His mischief shall return on his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own pate.">Psalm 7:16</a>. This is probably a portrait of some historical person hostile to Israel. Others take it as a type of pride and arrogance, comparing the use of the Greek verb <span class= "greekheb">?????</span><span class= "ital">. </span>The word "scalp," properly <span class= "ital">shell </span>(comp. "skull"), was a word in common use at the time of the translation of the English Bible--<p>"White beards have armed their thin and hairless scalps<p>Against thy majesty."<p>SHAKSPERE: <span class= "ital">Richard II<span class= "bld">.</span></span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/68.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But God shall wound the head of his enemies;</span> or, "yet surely God will smite," etc. Though he gives escape from death, yet he will not do so always. On the contrary, he will assuredly smite and destroy his enemies, wounding them where a wound is fatal. <span class="cmt_word">And the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses.</span> "The hairy scalp," says Dr. Kay, "points almost certainly to Absalom." Others take it as merely indicating the young and strong. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/68-21.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">Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">אַךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֗ים</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">will crush</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְחַץ֮</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ḥaṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4272.htm">Strong's 4272: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash asunder, to crush, smash, violently plunge, to subdue, destroy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the heads</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹ֤אשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(rōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of His enemies,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֫יְבָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hairy</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׂעָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(śê·‘ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8181.htm">Strong's 8181: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hair</span><br /><br /><span class="word">crowns</span><br /><span class="heb">קָדְקֹ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(qā·ḏə·qōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6936.htm">Strong's 6936: </a> </span><span class="str2">Head, crown of the head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of those who persist</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(miṯ·hal·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in guilty ways.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּאֲשָׁמָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(ba·’ă·šā·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_817.htm">Strong's 817: </a> </span><span class="str2">Guilt, a fault, a sin-offering</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/68-21.htm">Psalm 68:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/68-21.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 68:21 But God will strike through the head (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/68-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 68:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 68:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/68-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 68:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 68:22" /></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>