God's Majestic Power

INTRO

Psalm 68 is a Messianic psalm of “prayer, praise, thanksgiving, historical reminder, and imprecation,”¹ and it points to the King of Glory. This psalm is one of David’s and was written for the choir director, to be sung. This psalm was probably written out of David’s excitement about the restoration of the ark to Jerusalem.²

TEACHING

Psalm 68:1-6: Wiersbe outlines this psalm and writes that verses 1–6 show “our God is coming to us.”³ In verse 1, God’s power causes His enemies to scatter and flee (Numbers 10:33–35). The coming presence of the Lord referred to the ark. God’s enemies will disappear before God (v. 2) while the righteous rejoice before the Lord (v. 3). God’s people would sing praises to Him, exalting His name and remembering who He is and who is important to Him: the fatherless, the widows, the deserted, and the prisoners (vv. 4–6). God is in the business of setting people free and watching over them. Constable describes how God is presented as “a majestic warrior riding His chariot through the desert wilderness.”⁴

This psalm uses a variety of names and descriptors for God:

• Verse 1: “Yahweh” can be translated as “The Lord” (Exodus 3:15).
• Verse 1: “God” can be translated as “Elohim.”
• Verse 11: “Adonai” is translated as “The Lord.”
• Verse 14: God is the “Almighty.”
• Verse 18: Refers to the “Lord God.”
• Verse 20: Describes God as the “God of Salvation.”
• Verse 24: Describes God as the “King.

Psalm 68:7–18: Wiersbe writes that verses 7–18 show “our God is marching before us.”⁵ David referred back to the exodus when God led the Israelites through the desert (v. 7). They were given abundant rain, and even manna, in God’s blessing (vv. 8–9). God has taken us all through the deserts in our lives. He has gone before us and provided us with sustenance (Judges 5:4–5)! God provided for their needs (v. 10). Verses 11–12 refers back to the exodus, women singing praises about the promises of God (Exodus 15:20–21; 1 Samuel 18:6). Verse 13 refers to sitting in the presence of God.

In verse 14, Zalmon means Black Mountain and, while it could have been “a figurative description of God’s blessings, David may have been referring to Abimelech’s victory on Mount Zalmon near Shechem (Judges 9:48).”⁶ In verses 15-16, David wrote that even the towering mountain of Bashan was jealous of where God chose to dwell (Jeremiah 22:20–21). David described God as being surrounded by thousands of chariots (v. 17). God ascended the heights, taking captives, so the Lord God could live in Jerusalem (v. 18). This is the Messianic reference in this psalm. Jesus ascended the heights in His resurrection/ascension and provided freedom to the captives. Paul quoted this as God gave gifts to people, rather than received gifts from people (Ephesians 4:8).

Psalms 68:19–35: Wiersbe writes that verses 9–35 show that “our God is dwelling with us.”⁷ David praised God for daily bearing his burdens and being his salvation (vv. 19–20). Through His power, God crushed His enemies (v. 21). In verses 22-23, MacArthur states, “Whether the enemy tries to escape by land (Bashan) or by sea, God will bring them back to be destroyed by His people (Amos 9:2–4).”⁸ God’s presence was known in the sanctuary, and singers led His procession while musicians followed (vv. 24–26). The tribes listed in verse 27 all reference the Christ. God will receive universal tributes from all nations (vv. 28–29). When the King of Glory returns, everyone will recognize who He is. Verses 29–35 provide another clear Messianic prophecy!

CLOSING

David paints an incredible picture of how God moved in the past, how He is moving now, and how He is going to move; He is coming for us and marching before us and dwelling with us. Wiersbe concludes his commentary on Psalm 68 with “our God receives universal tribute.”⁹ May we continue to focus on the King of Glory!