King James Version

What Does Psalms 68:9 Mean?

Psalms 68:9 in the King James Version says “Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. send: Heb. sh...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 68 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. send: Heb. shake out confirm: Heb. confirm it”

Psalms 68:9 · KJV

Context

7

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

8

The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. send: Heb. shake out confirm: Heb. confirm it

10

Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. company: Heb. army

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God 'didst send a plentiful rain' upon His inheritance—Israel, the promised land. This 'plentiful rain' may refer to literal provision (manna, quail, water from the rock) or metaphorical spiritual blessing. 'Thou didst confirm it' means God strengthened and established His weary people. The pattern of God refreshing His exhausted inheritance recurs throughout redemptive history, ultimately fulfilled in the Spirit's outpouring (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2). God never abandons His people in their weakness but revives them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Throughout Israel's wilderness journey, God provided water, food, and victories despite the people's repeated failures. This pattern of provision despite unworthiness became central to understanding grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God 'sent plentiful rain' to revive you when you were spiritually weary or depleted?
  2. What does it mean that God 'confirms' or establishes His inheritance—how does He strengthen His people?
  3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit function as God's 'plentiful rain' on the church today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
גֶּ֣שֶׁם1 of 8

“rain”

H1653

a shower

נְ֭דָבוֹת2 of 8

“a plentiful”

H5071

properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift

תָּנִ֣יף3 of 8

“didst send”

H5130

to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad

אֱלֹהִ֑ים4 of 8

“Thou O God”

H430

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

נַחֲלָתְךָ֥5 of 8

“thine inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

וְ֝נִלְאָ֗ה6 of 8

“when it was weary”

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

אַתָּ֥ה7 of 8
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

כֽוֹנַנְתָּֽהּ׃8 of 8

“whereby thou didst confirm”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 68:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 68:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11:14Psalms 65:9-13Psalms 78:24-27Ezekiel 34:26Psalms 77:16-17Deuteronomy 11:10-12

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