Psalms 68:12

Kings of hosts do flee, do flee,

And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.

Psalms 68:12. contain allusions to the Song of Deborah and possibly to similar poems which have not been preserved to us. Many commentators regard them as the triumphal song of the women celebrating the victory; but it is better to take them as the continuation of the poet's description of the victory. The verses run in pairs, and Psalms 68:13 is parallel to Psalms 68:12. The first line paints the scene in the battle-field the pell-mell rout of the defeated kings: the second line depicts the scene at home when the warriors have returned with their spoils.

The unusual expression kings of hostsseems to be chosen with reference to the title Jehovah of hosts. Vast as their armies may be, they are powerless to resist One who has infinitely stronger armies at His command. The graphic repetition do flee, do fleerecalls the form of Judges 5:22; and the next line recalls the words of Judges 5:30. The battle has been won; the warriors return home with their spoils; and the matron who has anxiously awaited the issue of the battle divides among her family the rich garments and ornaments taken from the enemy. Cp. Judges 8:26; 2 Samuel 1:24; 2 Kings 7:8; 2 Kings 7:15.