The Meaning of Psalms 68:27 Explained

Psalms 68:27

KJV: There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

YLT: There is little Benjamin their ruler, Heads of Judah their defence, Heads of Zebulun -- heads of Naphtali.

Darby: There is little Benjamin, their ruler; the princes of Judah, their company; the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

ASV: There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

There [is] little  Benjamin  [with] their ruler,  the princes  of Judah  [and] their council,  the princes  of Zebulun,  [and] the princes  of Naphtali. 

What does Psalms 68:27 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 68:27 mean?

There [is] Benjamin little their leader the princes of Judah [and] their company of Zebulun [and] the princes of Naphtali
שָׁ֤ם בִּנְיָמִ֨ן ׀ צָעִ֡יר רֹדֵ֗ם שָׂרֵ֣י יְ֭הוּדָה רִגְמָתָ֑ם זְ֝בֻל֗וּן שָׂרֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִֽי

שָׁ֤ם  There  [is] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: שָׁם  
Sense: there, thither.
בִּנְיָמִ֨ן ׀  Benjamin 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: בִּנְיָמִין 
Sense: Jacob’s and Rachel’s youngest son, Joseph’s full brother.
צָעִ֡יר  little 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צָעִיר  
Sense: little, insignificant, young.
רֹדֵ֗ם  their  leader 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: רָדָה 
Sense: to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down.
שָׂרֵ֣י  the  princes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: סָרַר 
Sense: prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.
יְ֭הוּדָה  of  Judah 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יְהוּדָה  
Sense: the son of Jacob by Leah.
רִגְמָתָ֑ם  [and]  their  company 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: רִגְמָה  
Sense: heap (of stones).
זְ֝בֻל֗וּן  of  Zebulun 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: זְבוּלוּן  
Sense: the 0th of the sons of Jacob, 6th and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun.
שָׂרֵ֥י  [and]  the  princes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: סָרַר 
Sense: prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain.
נַפְתָּלִֽי  of  Naphtali 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: נַפְתָּלִי  
Sense: the 5th son of Jacob and the 2nd by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel.