The Meaning of Psalms 68:32 Explained

Psalms 68:32

KJV: Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

YLT: Kingdoms of the earth, sing ye to God, Praise ye the Lord. Selah.

Darby: Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing psalms of the Lord, (Selah,)

ASV: Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; Selah

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Sing  unto God,  ye kingdoms  of the earth;  O sing praises  unto the Lord;  Selah: 

What does Psalms 68:32 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 68:26-35 - The God Of The Whole Earth
The constituent parts of the procession are now described, and in these closing verses the triumphal note rings out. It tells of the confidence of Israel in her ultimate dominance of the world, which was to be not physical, but moral and spiritual.
The psalmist sees tribe after tribe passing into the sanctuary, and indicates each as it goes by Zebulun and Naphtali were mentioned in Deborah's song, already quoted. They are specially noticed here, because they who have done well in the wars of the Lord will ever be rewarded. Among the results of God's enthronement among His people is the submission of the kings of unnamed lands. In Psalms 69:30, r.v., the beast of the reeds is probably the crocodile, and refers to Egypt. Bulls and calves refer to the princes of surrounding nations and their subjects. Ethiopia reaches out her hands, offering tribute. The whole world is subdued to worship before the great God of Israel. He giveth strength and power unto His people. Let us avail ourselves of His gracious provisions. Let us ask Him to command our strength, Psalms 68:28; Psalms 68:35. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 68

1  A prayer at the removing of the ark
4  An exhortation to praise God for his mercies
7  for his care of the church
19  for his great works

What do the individual words in Psalms 68:32 mean?

You kingdoms of the earth Sing to God Oh sing praises to the Lord Selah
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָ֭אָרֶץ שִׁ֣ירוּ לֵאלֹהִ֑ים זַמְּר֖וּ אֲדֹנָ֣י סֶֽלָה

מַמְלְכ֣וֹת  You  kingdoms 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: מַמְלָכָה  
Sense: kingdom, dominion, reign, sovereignty.
הָ֭אָרֶץ  of  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
שִׁ֣ירוּ  Sing 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: שִׁיר  
Sense: to sing.
לֵאלֹהִ֑ים  to  God 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
זַמְּר֖וּ  Oh  sing  praises 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: זָמַר  
Sense: to sing, sing praise, make music.
אֲדֹנָ֣י  to  the  Lord 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲדֹנָי  
Sense: my lord, lord.
סֶֽלָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.