Psalm 68 is notoriously difficult to interpret, especially if one tries to explain its unity and development solely by literary means. The key to its interpretation lies in recognizing its original use as a liturgical text accompanying a ritual. Its composition, therefore, is governed primarily by ritual factors, not simply by literary and thematic considerations. There are at least four allusions to the cherubim-ark throughout the psalm. We should probably imagine Psalm 68 sung alongside a ritual procession with the ark and cherubim at its head. It represents some of the earliest poetry of the OT (cf. pre-monarchic passages such as Deut. 33:2; Judg. 5:4–5) and appears to stem from the period of the united monarchy (v. 27), though some verses may have been added during a later application …