Psalm 68:25
 Psalm 68:25 
New International Version (©2011)
In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines.

English Standard Version (©2001)
the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.

International Standard Version (©2012)
The singers are in front, the musicians follow, strumming their stringed instruments among the maidens who are playing their tambourines.

NET Bible (©2006)
Singers walk in front; musicians follow playing their stringed instruments, in the midst of young women playing tambourines.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
Princes went before; after were the singers among the young girls striking on tambourines.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The singers are in front. The musicians are behind them. The young women beating tambourines are between them.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

American King James Version
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with tambourines.

American Standard Version
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Princes went before joined with singers, in the midst of young damsels playing on timbrels.

Darby Bible Translation
The singers went before, the players on stringed instruments after, in the midst of maidens playing on tabrets.

English Revised Version
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

Webster's Bible Translation
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

World English Bible
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,

Young's Literal Translation
Singers have been before, Behind are players on instruments, In the midst virgins playing with timbrels.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

68:22-28 The victories with which God blessed David over the enemies of Israel, are types of Christ's victory, for himself and for all believers. Those who take him for theirs, may see him acting as their God, as their King, for their good, and in answer to their prayers; especially in and by his word and ordinances. The kingdom of the Messiah shall be submitted to by all the rulers and learned in the world. The people seem to address the king, ver. 28. But the words are applicable to the Redeemer, to his church, and every true believer. We pray, that thou, O God the Son, wilt complete thine undertaking for us, by finishing thy good work in us.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after (comp. 2 Samuel 6:15; 1 Chronicles 15:16-28). In Assyrian musical processions the players on instruments precede the singers ('Ancient Monarchies,' vol. 1, p. 542). Among them were the damsels playing with timbrels; rather, in the midst of the damsels, etc. The damsels are represented, not as intermixed with the (male) singers and players on instruments, but as encircling them. (On the use of "timbrels" (tambourines) by Israelite maidens, see Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34.)


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The singers went before,.... The apostles and ministers of the word, the sweet singers of Israel, the charmers that charm so very wisely: the Gospel is a joyful sound; it is like vocal music, harmonious and delightful; it is as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, as Ezekiel's ministry was, Ezekiel 33:32; it is a voice of love, grace, and mercy, of peace, pardon, and righteousness, and of eternal life and salvation by Christ; it is as music in the ears of sensible souls, when sounded forth, and sung out clearly and distinctly by the faithful ministers of it. The allusion seems to be to singers going before armies, when marching to battle, or returning with victory; see 2 Chronicles 20:21;

the players on instruments followed after; so the sweet strains of the Gospel, the melodious notes and distinguishing sounds of it, as well as the praises of God's people, are, in the New Testament, signified by harps, and men's playing upon them, Revelation 5:8;

amongst them were the damsels playing with timbrels; or "in the midst of the virgins playing with timbrels" (u); or "beating on tabrets"; as women used to do when they met their kings returning from the conquest of their enemies; see 1 Samuel 18:6; these may be the pure and primitive churches of Christ, and the members thereof, rejoicing at the preaching of the Gospel, and praising God for the blessings of grace in it; in the midst of which the ministers of the word sung the new song of Gospel truths: and who may be compared to damsels or virgins for their beauty and comeliness through Christ; for their relation to him, being betrothed unto him; and for their strong and chaste affection for him; for their uncorruptness in doctrine and worship, and their uprightness in their lives and conversation, Revelation 14:4; the allusion may be to Miriam and the women with her at the Red sea, Exodus 15:20; and the Targum interprets the whole verse of Moses and Aaron singing at the Red sea, and of Miriam and the women playing with timbrels.

(u) "in medio puellarum", Pagninus, Montanus; "inter puellas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Cocceius, Gejerus.


Psalm 68:25 Parallel Commentaries

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Let God's Enemies Be Scattered!
24They have seen your goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with tambourines. 26Bless you God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. …

Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.
Judges 11:34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter.
1 Samuel 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.
1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.
1 Chronicles 15:6 from the descendants of Merari, Asaiah the leader and 220 relatives;
Psalm 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 87:7 As they make music they will sing, "All my fountains are in you."