Psalm 68:1-35
To the chief Musician,
A Psalm or Song of David.
“Let God arise, let
his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away:
as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of
God. But let the righteous be glad; let them
rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.” (Psalm 68:1-3)
David sets a wonderful example of love toward God for modern
Christians. Although he was frequently
concerned about his own situation. His concern that God be glorified was always
uppermost in his mind. He wanted God’s
enemies to be silenced and those who loved and glorified God to be heard.
“Sing unto God, sing
praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH,
and rejoice before him. A father of the
fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families: he
bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a
dry land.” (Psalm 68:4-6)
There should be no question who the people were
praising. He was Jehovah, or Jah, the
self-existent one. He adopts children no one else claims, and he
sees that those who have no representation receive justice. He makes those who no one else part of a
family and frees those who are prisoners or slaves, while leaving those who
rebel against him in a very unsatisfactory state.
“O God, when thou
wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness;
Selah: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain,
whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O
God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.” (Psalm 68:7-10)
He recounts how God had led Israel through the forty years
in the wilderness, so that even mount Sinai shook. Then when they came into the land, he blessed
with ample rain and their crops were abundant, confirming that he was pleased
with his people. They had lived in the
land for over six hundred years by David’s time, and had been richly blessed
despite the being a small nation with no strong central government until Saul
became king.
“The Lord gave the
word: great was the company of those that published it. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that
tarried at home divided the spoil. 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. When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it
was white as snow in Salmon.” (Psalm 68:11-14)
When God spoke, the nation of Israel did as he commanded, and
the kings of other nations were terrified, fleeing for their lives while those
who waited divided up what they left behind.
Even those who had been just servants benefited from the victories over
their enemies, making them rich.
“The hill of God is as
the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill
which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even
thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
Thou hast ascended on
high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea,
for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with
benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation;
and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. But God shall wound the head of his enemies,
and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
The Lord said, I will
bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the
sea: That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue
of thy dogs in the same. They have seen
thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.”
(Psalm 68:15-24)
When the Children of Israel went into the Land of Canaan,
the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh were so thrilled with the land
of Bashan and the area east of Jordan they had no interest in going any
farther. God has had the same attitude
about the Children of Israel and their land.
He has decided to make it his capital and live there forever, and he has
to power to keep it. He has gotten the
victory over sin and Satan, giving them salvation and freedom, forgiving their
sin, and giving them daily blessings. He
gives eternal life, but he will destroy those who refuses to turn to him. He will restore Israel from among all the
peoples and give them victory over their enemies, just as he has done in the
past.
“The singers went
before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels
playing with timbrels. Bless ye God in
the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the
princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of
Naphtali. Thy God hath commanded thy strength:
strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings
bring presents unto thee. Rebuke the
company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people,
till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people
that delight in war.” (Psalm 68:25-30)
When God restores Israel, it will be like it was when David
brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
People were dancing in the streets, singing and playing
instruments. Everyone from the little
tribe of Benjamin to the huge tribe of Judah will be involved. They will all recognize their sin and turn to
God, submitting themselves and following his commands. Those who want to fight will be scattered and
driven out.
“Princes shall come
out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O
sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: To him that rideth upon the heavens of
heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty
voice. Ascribe ye strength unto God: his
excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.” (Psalm 68:31-34)
Even the countries that have been Israel’s enemies, such as
Egypt and Ethiopia will turn to God, with their leaders openly coming to
Jerusalem to worship him. All will
recognize his power and glory.
“O God, thou art
terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength
and power unto his people. Blessed be God.” (Psalm 68:35)
It is God’s wonderful power that makes these things
happen.
Praise God for His infinite power! Many scoff now, but there will be no denying His power when He returns. Thanks as always for the clear exposition of Scripture.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Laurie
Amen. Thanks Laurie.
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