Psalms 68:23 (KJV)

What does Psalms 68:23 mean?

Psalms 68:23 describes a vivid scene where God’s people are pictured as so victorious over their enemies that their feet are dipped in the blood of those enemies, and even their dogs lick up the remains. This is a poetic way of showing complete triumph and the total defeat of those who opposed them.

The psalm is a song of David, celebrating God’s power to save and protect Israel. In this verse, David uses strong imagery to express how thoroughly God will defeat Israel’s enemies. The language is not meant to be taken literally, but to emphasize the overwhelming victory and the reversal of fortunes for those who stood against God’s people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 68:23

• foot (רֶגֶל, regel): This word simply means "foot," but in ancient poetry, it often symbolizes the movement or progress of a person or people. Here, it highlights the personal involvement of God’s people in the victory.
• dipped (לָחַץ, lachatz): This word is often understood as "to dip" or "to press into." The image is of feet being stained or covered, emphasizing how complete the victory is.
• blood (דָּם, dam): The word for "blood" here is direct and graphic, underlining the seriousness and finality of the defeat.
• tongue (לָשׁוֹן, lashon) and dogs (כֶּלֶב, kelev): "Tongue" and "dogs" together paint a picture of scavenging animals, which in ancient times symbolized shame for the defeated and the total abandonment of the enemy.

Why Psalms 68:23 matters

• This verse clears up the idea that the Bible always uses gentle or abstract language; here, the poetry is bold and graphic to make a point about God’s power to save.
• The verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates God’s victories for Israel throughout history, showing that God’s deliverance is not partial but complete.
• Understanding the poetic and symbolic nature of this language helps avoid misreading it as a call to violence, instead seeing it as a strong statement of God’s protection and justice for His people.