though you men lie among the sheepfolds— the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't just contrast a lowly past with a glorious present; it highlights a conditional glory. While the wings shimmer with silver and gold, suggesting great prosperity and divine favor, the verse subtly implies this splendor is a response to, or a stark contrast with, a people who might prefer to remain "among the sheepfolds"—a place of comfortable, yet inglorious, inaction.
though you men lie among the sheepfolds— the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm is recounting God's powerful victories on behalf of His people, shifting from a description of God scattering enemies to a reflection on the Israelites' past struggles. This verse seems to draw from the story in Judges 5, questioning those who stayed home in comfort ("among the sheepfolds") instead of fighting, and then contrasting their inaction with the glorious beauty and prosperity that God bestows even amidst hardship.
Ever felt stuck in a messy, unglamorous phase of life? This verse speaks to that feeling, but with a surprising twist.
The phrase "lie among the pots" (or "sheepfolds" in some translations) paints a vivid picture of a difficult past. Commentators suggest this refers to times of intense hardship, servitude, or even cowardly inaction.
A Lowly Place
Either way, it’s a stark contrast to the glory that follows. It’s the grime before the gleam.
What does a dove have to do with overcoming hardship? Prepare to be amazed by the imagery God uses!
The second part of the verse offers a stunning transformation: "the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold."
A Metamorphosis of Splendor
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This verse contrasts the former degradation and suffering of Israel, particularly during their enslavement in Egypt or their disunity during the Judges period, with the glorious transformation and abundance God provided under David's reign, symbolized by the dazzling beauty of a dove's plumage.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites escape from centuries of slavery in Egypt, a period of intense hardship and affliction.
c. 1350-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression by surrounding nations, and deliverance through charismatic judges.
c. 1200 BC
War of Deborah and Barak
The prophetess Deborah rallies Israel against the oppressive Canaanite king Jabin, leading to a decisive victory. Some tribes are criticized for not participating.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age of peace and prosperity for Israel.
c. 1000-970 BC— this verse
David's Reign
During David's reign, Israel achieves significant military victories and expands its territory, leading to great spoils and wealth.
This passage directly alludes to the same context, rebuking tribes for their inaction and preference for comfort over fighting for God's people.
Isaiah 58:8This verse speaks of restored glory and light following a period of darkness and affliction, mirroring the transformation described in Psalms 68:13.
Song of Solomon 5:11This verse uses a similar beautiful imagery of a dove's plumage described in radiant terms, highlighting the splendor and preciousness of the beloved, which parallels the glorious description in the psalm.
Romans 8:18This verse contrasts present suffering with future glory, a theme echoed in Psalms 68:13's depiction of emerging from a low state to one of dazzling beauty and prosperity.
1 Corinthians 15:43This passage describes the future resurrection body as glorious and transformed, a ultimate fulfillment of the imagery of shining beauty and honor presented in the psalm.
jfbPsalms 68:13: "Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold."
- Some translate this, "When ye shall lie between the borders, ye shall," &c., comparing the peaceful rest in the borders or limits of the promised land to the proverbial beauty of a gentle dove. Others understand by the word rendered "pots," the smoked sides of caves, in which the Israelites took refuge from enemies in the times of the judges; or,…
pulpitPsalms 68:13: "Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold."
Verse 13. - Though ye have lien among the pots; rather, Will ye lie down among the sheepfolds? Will ye, O ye laggarts of Israel, like the Reubenites in the war against Sisera, instead of going out to war with your brethren, "abide among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks" (see Judges 5:16)? Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove cove…
The text doesn't just contrast a lowly past with a glorious present; it highlights a conditional glory. While the wings shimmer with silver and gold, suggesting great prosperity and divine favor, the verse subtly implies this splendor is a response to, or a stark contrast with, a people who might prefer to remain "among the sheepfolds"—a place of comfortable, yet inglorious, inaction.
The psalm is recounting God's powerful victories on behalf of His people, shifting from a description of God scattering enemies to a reflection on the Israelites' past struggles. This verse seems to draw from the story in Judges 5, questioning those who stayed home in comfort ("among the sheepfolds") instead of fighting, and then contrasting their inaction with the glorious beauty and prosperity that God bestows even amidst hardship.
The psalm is recounting God's powerful victories on behalf of His people, shifting from a description of God scattering enemies to a reflection on the Israelites' past struggles. This verse seems to draw from the story in Judges 5, questioning those who stayed home in comfort ("among the sheepfolds") instead of fighting, and then contrasting their inaction with the glorious beauty and prosperity that God bestows even amidst hardship.
"though you men lie among the sheepfolds— the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold." — The text doesn't just contrast a lowly past with a glorious present; it highlights a conditional glory. While the wings shimmer with silver and gold, suggesting great prosperity and divine favor, t…
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Last reviewed October 2026