So that your foot may shatter them in blood, And the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.”
Parallel translations
- WEB That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”
- KJV That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
- BSB that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.”
- NKJV That your foot may crush them in blood, And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”
- NLT You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This vivid image depicts God's complete victory over his enemies. It declares that opposition to God and his people will be utterly overcome.
Overview
Using stark ancient battle imagery, the verse portrays such a thorough defeat of the wicked that the victors wade through it. While the language is severe, it expresses the certainty of God's righteous judgment against persistent evil. Christians read such passages in light of Christ, who bore judgment at the cross and will return to finally subdue all that opposes God's kingdom.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Kgs 21:19You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs will lick your blood, even yours.”’”
- Ps 58:10The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked;
- 1 Kgs 22:38They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood where the prostitutes washed themselves; according to Yahweh’s word which he spoke.
- Rev 19:17–21I saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, “Come! Be gathered together to the great supper of God,
- 2 Kgs 9:33–37He said, “Throw her down!” So they threw her down; and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses. Then he trampled her under foot.
- Isa 63:1–6Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 68:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.