Psalm 68

1. I find it interesting that the longest psalms (those with more than 30 verses) are nearly all praise psalms. It is as if the poet (in Psalm 68, David) simply cannot stop praising God. This is not always true (Psalm 69, with 36 verses, is a desperate prayer), but it is true more often than not. Psalm 68 uses about 31 verses praising God, then closes (32-35) by asking others–all others–to join in the praise.

2. The opening phrase, “Let God arise,” is believed by some to be used of the carrying (specifically, the lifting) of the Ark of the Covenant. It can also be translated, “God shall arise and His enemies shall be scattered.”

3. The rest of verse 1 and all of verse 2 describe how powerful God is when He removes His enemies. It is as smoke and wax, when they are removed. Both move swiftly and in many directions.

4. In contrast, the righteous are “before God.” The idea is that they are not moved away, but are allowed and privileged to be in the very presence of God.

5. While in His presence, though, the people of God have things to do. They are in His presence praising (NASB, “exulting”) Him. They sing praises to His name. (verses 3-4).

6. Verse 4 contains these words: “Whose name is the Lord” (Hebrew, Yah). This phrase is interesting in context because the psalm contains more than just this “name” for God. It also calls Him “God” (Hebrew, Elohim–verse 1), “Lord” (Hebrew, Adonai–verse 11), Almighty (verse 14), Lord God (verse 18), God the Lord (verse 20), and King (verse 24).

7. Verse 5 speaks of God’s loving nature and compassion, calling Him “a father of the fatherless a judge for the widows.” Often in the Old Testament widows and the fatherless (orphans) are spoken of as those who need special care. Here, God is the one caring for them.

8. The sixth verse gives an amazing contrast. God “leads out the prisoners into prosperity; only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” God is forgiving of those, even in prison, who turn to Him. But, if one is rebellious, that one can expect continued suffering (spiritually, and ultimately, speaking).

9. Beginning with verse 7, David reviews some of the amazing things God has done for His people. He is not just speaking of God’s power, though. He is putting God’s faithfulness in view.

10. While mentioning God’s power, David shows God’s faithful protection in verse 8: “The heavens dropped rain at the presence of God.” While it rained from time-to-time in the wilderness wanderings, the land was quite arid. Rain was needed for the travelers and their animals, and God gave it. But he didn’t just give some rain. Verse 9 says, “You shed abroad a plentiful rain.” When God gives, He gives in abundance!

11. Verse 13 gives an unique description of God’s protection in that it combines two word pictures. “You are like wings of a dove covered with silver, and its pinions with glistening gold.” God protects with these “wings,” but there is also a richness to His protection, so the picture of wings is not completely adequate. David has to add the silver and gold to make the picture more descriptive.

12. Verse 14 is probably not speaking of literal snow. The name “Zalmon” means “dark mountain.” What David is probably saying is that the bones of those who were killed there were in contrast to this dark place; they were scattered over the face of the mountain.

13. Verses 15 and 16 are interesting in that they speak of the amazing majesty of Mount Bashan, but say “it” is jealous of another mountain where God will be (presumably Zion). In some ways, David is praising the place of God by showing it to be better than the majestic Bashan.

14. David, in verse 17, reminds the people that God is with them as He was with their ancestors at the giving of the law. He is just as powerful as when the mountain shook, and He will protect them.

15. Verse 19 is, in some ways, the key verse to this psalm. God is praised for His protecting love (He “daily bears our burden”) and for His saving power (“The God Who is our salvation”). Both of these are mentioned again and again in this psalm.

16. In verse 20, David says, “God is to us a God of deliverances.” Did you notice that it was plural? God continually delivered His people. They often forgot Him, or lost interest in Him, but He was there for them, and David acknowledges that.

17. Verse 22 shows God’s power over any place. In a discussion of the enemies of God, David says that God can bring them back (or capture them) whether by land (Mount Bashan) or by sea. Wherever we go, God is there and has dominion.

18. In finishing that thought, David says that God brings them back so that the Israelites may win. He lets His people have the victory, but they need to realize that it is because of His power and protection.

19. Verses 24-26 are a description of God’s majesty. When time for the worship of God came, there was a procession that was glorious. It wasn’t nearly as amazing as God’s glory, but it was amazing in its own rite.

20. Verse 29 is a reference to the building–the temple–that David wanted to build but was not allowed to. David did, however, collect an extraordinary amount of materials needed for the building of the temple, and God allowed that, so David did have a part in the building of this great structure. David knows it will be magnificent when complete, so other kings will bring things to God simply out of amazement at this structure. Verses 30-31 build on that theme.

21. The final section (verses 32-35) contains another plea for everyone to praise God with song. People are urged in these verses to praise God simply because of Who He is.