Sunday, August 1, 2010 pm
STUDIES IN THE PSALMS
Blessed be God!
Psalm 68
Tonight, as we continue our study of the Psalms we note a unique
psalm penned by David. The
exact time of this psalm is unknown, but it is definitely associated
with the Ark of the Covenant.
That leads to the possibility this psalm was written for the ark
being transported by David to finally arrive at Mt. Zion (in Jerusalem).
The Ark of the Covenant (not be confused with Noah’s Ark) was
significant to the children of Israel.
Created at Mt. Sinai, it would become a most important icon in
Israel’s history (cf. Exodus 25:10-22).
Whenever Israel traveled in the wilderness, the ark would go
before them. When placed in
the tabernacle & temple, it was in the most sacred chamber and was the
designated place where Israel could meet with God.
The High Priest would appear before God once a year with the
offering for the sins of Israel.
It was so sacred, that Jehovah commanded how it was to be
transported and struck dead anyone who touched it.
The ark accompanied Israel as they encircled Jericho.
It was carried with them into battle.
There is much symbolism and many lessons to be gleaned from the
Ark where Israel was concerned.
Our psalm is a reminder of the greatness of God against His
enemies and protecting His people.
Everything is this psalm would be suitable to be SUNG or said as
the Ark was being moved and utilized according to the will of Jehovah
God. It is also a reminder
of how He is to be reverenced.
Therein, is the lesson for us.
Because of its length and the many subjects mentioned in this psalm, it
is a challenge to outline.
Many different authors have given it many different outlines.
Charles Spurgeon gave the following divisions in reference to the
transporting of the Ark of the Covenant from Obed-Edom to Jerusalem (cf.
2 Samuel 6).
DIVISION.
With the words of the first two verses the ark is uplifted, and the
procession begins to move. In Ps 68:3-6, the godly in the assembly are
exhorted to commence their joyous songs, and arguments are adduced to
help their joy. Then the glorious march of Jehovah in the wilderness is
sung: Ps 68:7-10, and his victories in war are celebrated in verses Ps
68:11-14. The joyous shouts are louder as Zion comes in sight, and the
ark is borne up the hill: Ps 68:15-19. On the summit of the mount the
priests sing a hymn concerning the Lord's goodness and justice; the
safety of his friends, and ruin of his foes: Ps 68:20-23. Meanwhile the
procession is described as it winds up the hill: Ps 68:24-27. The poet
anticipates a time of wider conquest, Ps 68:28-31: and concludes with a
noble burst of song unto Jehovah. (Psalm 68, Spurgeon, Charles;
Treasury of David).
It is a moderate length psalm which we will not be able in this
lesson to examine verse by verse.
But let us begin by reading this psalm and then note its message
and some applications.
a.
Vs. 1 is
the pronouncement that was made when the ark was moved in the
wilderness. It is found in
Numbers 10:33-36.
b.
Vs. 2 –
let Him drive away the enemy as smoke is driven away and wax melts.
We are reminded of God’s power to defeat His enemies.
c.
Vs. 3 –
Conversely, let the righteous rejoice (because He is with them).
Just as God will overcome His enemies, He will lift up His
people. Rejoice in this – 1
Peter 1:8
a.
A recurring theme of praise
throughout the book of psalms.
Praising God in worship to Him.
Extol Him (lift up a song for Him).
b.
Lesson: Remember God as
you worship Him!
HE is the one we magnify and He is the reason we are here.
c.
Yah
is His name! This is a
shortened form of Jehovah (more on this later in our lesson).
d.
He is God
of the downtrodden (5-6).
While He is there for everyone, He takes special notice of those with
less fortune in this life – the fatherless, widows, the lonely,
prisoners. Those often
forgotten or looked down upon by the elite of society.
a.
Certainly,
the Ark of the Covenant was a manifestation of God’s presence in Israel.
He demonstrated His presence in many ways throughout their
history, but…
b.
Two ways
are demonstrated in these verses:
i.
He
demonstrates His power to man as One NOT to be rejected
– an example given at Mt. Sinai.
Exodus 19:16-20 describes the scene as Jehovah God pronounced the
Ten Commandments.
ii.
He
sustains His people (including
the poor) – throughout the wildness wanderings God provided for Israel.
He gave them manna and rain (mentioned in this text) (cf. Psa.
78:24). Furthermore,
He continued to sustain them WITHIN the Promised Land.
a.
NOTE: One
of the challenges of this psalm is its many different thoughts scattered
throughout these verses.
What is the continuity? Each
thought stands by itself.
Some have suggested in the verses of this section (11-19) we find the
cheering and utterances of the crows as the Ark is transported to its
place in Jerusalem.
Vs. 11 speaks of the great company that proclaimed the word of the Lord
(NASU, “The women who proclaimed the good tidings are a great host.”)
AMONG the chanting:
b.
At His
word, enemies flee (12-14) – who can truly and ultimately withstand God.
In the end, God’s people will remain and “divide the spoil.”
Triumph is described like a dove covered in silver with feathers
of gold.
c.
The
mountain of God (15-16) – Bashan was a fertile region east of the Sea of
Galilee. It’s northern
border was the great Mt. Hermon. These verses are believed to be a
reference to God dwelling in Zion, a relatively small mountain in
comparison to so many others.
God created ALL mountains in their majesty and He can choose
WHERE He wishes to dwell.
(Man might have chosen a more grand place – perhaps the highest
of mountaintops).
d.
His
chariots are thousands (17) – chariots were weapons of war used
primarily by the enemies of Israel (much of Israel was land where
chariots were not useful).
In this verse I see how God is GREATER than any army or invention of
man. We are again
reminded of what Paul said, “What
then shall we say to these things? IF God is for us, who can be against
us?” (Rom. 8:31)
e.
He has
ascended on high and led captivity captive (18).
Who can rise so high as to defeat or even challenge God?
NONE!
Note this verse is referenced in Ephesians 4:8-10.
What it has in common with our psalm is that it demonstrates how
God was triumphant over His enemies.
Eph. 4 of course, is reference to His ultimate victory over
Satan. He captured “captivity” – for us that would be the bondage of sin
(cf. Heb. 2:14-15).
f.
He
sustains us daily (19) – as Jesus Himself taught in Matt. 6:33.
And do not forget the ultimate “blessing”, salvation! (He is a
God of deliverances – NASU).
NOTE: Salvation is the THEME of the Bible!
From its beginning till its end – Ephesians 1:13, “the gospel of
your salvation.”
g.
To Him
belongs escape from death (20) – a truth in so many ways:
Christ was raised from the dead, Cf. Psalm 22 – you will not leave my
soul in Hades.
In Him, we have escape from spiritual death!
We will be raised one day
AND, if it is His will, we might even continue on this earth for a while
longer.
h.
He will
wound the head of the enemy (21).
i.
And you cannot hide from Him
(22-23)
a.
To me, the
best fit for these verses is the rejoicing as the Ark enters its resting
place in Jerusalem (awaiting the temple to be built).
b.
“They have
seen Your procession, O God” (24) – Who has seen it?
Physically, Israel witnesses this great day.
But ALL, even His enemies have witnessed His power and victories.
c.
25-27 –
there is rejoicing and worship as the Ark is presented before the
congregation.
All of Israel is present (though only 4 tribes are mentioned).
d.
Vs.28 –
the prayer, “Strengthen, O God, what you have done for us.”
e.
LESSON: In
these verses, we are reminded of our need to rejoice and worship God
when we assemble in His presence.
Give Him the glory he deserves!
a.
Jerusalem
and all it stands for will prevail (29).
This is the hope Israel had.
b.
Till
everyone submits (29b-32) – Eventually, all of Israel’s enemies would
fall. The beasts are descriptive
of nations strong and weak.
Egypt and Ethiopia are mentioned by name.
c.
LESSON:
But the even greater hope for US is found in the spiritual fulfillment
of His promises. What was a
prosperous nation at the time of these events would continue to grow
until out of it, the TRUE SPIRITUAL kingdom of God would come!
A kingdom in which ALL nations would flow unto it.
Peter spoke of this on Pentecost where he quoted Joel 2:28-32
(cf. Ac. 2:17-21) and in many other places where we read of the hope of
the Gentile nations (Rom. 9:25-26, cf. Hosea 2:23, 1:10).
a.
This is a
dedication to the God who speaks (unlike the false gods of other
nations).
b.
Ascribe to
Him strength (34). Acknowledge His greatness.
We often read in scripture of Him riding in the clouds
(references to judgments, etc.).
In this verse, that might be referenced, but I cannot help but
think of the glory of God as He entered the tabernacle and would enter
the temple. Perhaps on this
occasion (transporting the Ark to Jerusalem), there was similar glory
demonstrated – 2 Chron. 7:1-3, Ex. 40:34-35.
c.
Vs. 35 –
“O God, you are more awesome than your Holy places” (NASU, “OGod, You
are awesome from Your Sanctuary) –
LESSON: If you don’t get
anything else in this lesson, get this: In this verse I am reminded,
it is NOT the sanctuary itself that commands reverence; it is God BEHIND
the sanctuary. Let us
consider this in our worship to Him, our service within His church AND
in our daily lives of dedication to Him (we are priests and a temple
wherein he dwells).
d.
Blessed be
God!
Conclusion:
And thus we can see another psalm.
There are many lessons we could glean from studying this psalm.
For example: I encourage you to study the names of God mentioned
in this psalm alone.
Generally, our translators do not do Him justice by mentioning only God
and Lord.
This is a complex psalm, but also a glorious psalm that instills
in us our need to think about God and to magnify Him.
Friends, Israel had Ark of the Covenant, a most sacred thing
which gave them their trust in God.
WE HAVE THE CHURCH!
We have His written word! We
have His presence in our lives!
DON’T take that for granted – EVER!