Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

PSALMS 68:30KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 68:30 (KJV)

What does Psalms 68:30 mean?

Psalms 68:30 is a prayer asking God to confront and scatter powerful, warlike nations—described with images like spearmen, bulls, and calves—until they submit and bring tribute, ending their delight in conflict. The verse pictures God as the one who can humble aggressive peoples and bring peace by breaking their pride and desire for war.

This verse is part of a psalm attributed to David, celebrating God’s power to defend Israel and defeat its enemies. The language uses vivid images: “spearmen” and “bulls” symbolize strong, hostile leaders or nations, while “calves” may refer to their followers. The psalmist asks God to rebuke these forces, so that even those who love war will be scattered and forced to submit, bringing offerings as a sign of surrender.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 68:30

  • “Rebuke” (גָּעַר, gaʿar) means to sharply correct or threaten. Here, it is a call for God to actively oppose and put a stop to the hostile nations.
  • “Company” (חַיָּה, ḥayyah) literally means “beast” or “living thing,” often used for wild animals. In this context, it paints the enemy nations as dangerous, untamed forces.
  • “Bulls” (אַבִּיר, abbîr) refers to strong, powerful animals and is often a symbol for mighty leaders or warriors. The verse likens enemy rulers to fierce bulls.
  • “Scatter” (בָּזַר, bazar) means to disperse or drive away. The psalmist asks God to break up the unity and power of those who enjoy war, making them ineffective.

Why Psalms 68:30 matters

  • The verse clears up that the “company of spearmen” and “bulls” are poetic ways of describing powerful, aggressive nations or leaders, not literal animals.
  • It emphasizes God’s authority over even the strongest enemies, showing that no human power is beyond His control.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm, which celebrates God’s victories and His ability to bring peace by humbling those who threaten His people.

Where else these words appear

“submit” Hebrew H7511 · used in 2 verses

  • Proverbs 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

“scatter” Hebrew H967 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 11:24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.

“war” Hebrew H7128 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Samuel 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
  • Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
  • Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

“Rebuke” Hebrew H1605 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
  • Psalms 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
  • Nahum 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.