Have you ever experienced a moment of triumph, where you felt the overwhelming presence of God’s victory in your life?
Whether you’ve tasted victory in the past or are currently navigating through challenges, Psalm 68 invites us all to join in a joyous celebration of God’s power and deliverance.
Let’s journey together through this majestic psalm and discover the awe-inspiring greatness of our victorious God.
Reconnect: In the preceding chapters of Psalms, we have encountered various expressions of praise and thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and protection. Psalm 68 continues this theme by exalting God as the victorious King who triumphs over His enemies and delivers His people from adversity.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
The God of Sinai and of the Sanctuary.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. A Song.
1Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered,
And let those who hate Him flee before Him.
2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish before God.
3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God;
Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.
4Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.
5A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
7O God, when You went forth before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness,
8The earth quaked;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God;
You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.
10Your creatures settled in it;
You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God.
11The Lord gives the command;
The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host:
12“Kings of armies flee, they flee,
And she who remains at home will divide the spoil!”
13When you lie down among the sheepfolds,
You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And its pinions with glistening gold.
14When the Almighty scattered the kings there,
It was snowing in Zalmon.
15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
16Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks,
At the mountain which God has desired for His abode?
Surely the LORD will dwell there forever.
17The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands;
The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.
18You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives;
You have received gifts among men,
Even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.
19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation.
20God is to us a God of deliverances;
And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.
21Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies,
The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.
22The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan.
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
23That your foot may shatter them in blood,
The tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.”
24They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25The singers went on, the musicians after them,
In the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.
26Bless God in the congregations,
Even the LORD, you who are of the fountain of Israel.
27There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,
The princes of Judah in their throng,
The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28Your God has commanded your strength;
Show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf.
29Because of Your temple at Jerusalem
Kings will bring gifts to You.
30Rebuke the beasts in the reeds,
The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,
Trampling under foot the pieces of silver;
He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.
31Envoys will come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
Sing praises to the Lord,
33To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times;
Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice.
34Ascribe strength to God;
His majesty is over Israel
And His strength is in the skies.
35O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.
The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.
Blessed be God!
Summary Key Points:
- God’s Majestic Presence (Psalm 68:1-6): The psalmist begins by extolling the greatness of God, describing Him as a mighty warrior whose presence causes His enemies to scatter. He praises God for His care and provision for the fatherless, widows, and the oppressed, highlighting His compassion and justice.
- The Procession of Victory (Psalm 68:7-18): The psalmist vividly depicts a triumphant procession of God leading His people through the wilderness, accompanied by earthquakes, storms, and abundant rain. He celebrates God’s power to deliver His people and conquer their enemies, acknowledging His sovereignty over all creation.
- God’s Glorious Dominion (Psalm 68:19-31): The psalmist declares God’s reign over the earth and His sovereignty over the nations. He calls on all peoples to praise God for His mighty deeds and His steadfast love toward His people. He celebrates God’s presence in His sanctuary and His provision for His people’s needs.
- A Call to Worship and Obedience (Psalm 68:32-35): The psalm concludes with a call to the nations to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and to join in worshiping Him. He exalts God as the one who rides across the ancient heavens, proclaiming His majesty and power to all the earth. He calls on all creation to praise God, who reigns from His holy dwelling.
Call to Action:
As we reflect on the triumphant themes of Psalm 68, let’s consider how we can respond in our own lives:
- Celebrate God’s Victory: Take time to meditate on God’s past victories in your life and in the lives of others. Whether you’ve experienced triumph or are currently facing challenges, trust in God’s power to lead you to victory.
- Praise God Continually: Cultivate a lifestyle of praise and worship, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and greatness in all circumstances. Let your heart overflow with gratitude as you magnify His name and declare His mighty deeds to the nations.
- Trust in God’s Provision: Place your trust in God’s unfailing love and provision, knowing that He is faithful to provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory. Surrender your cares and concerns to Him, confident that He will sustain you through every trial.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the triumphant themes of Psalm 68 that remind us of your power, victory, and steadfast love. Help us to celebrate your triumphs in our lives and to trust in your provision and protection. May our hearts overflow with praise and worship as we declare your greatness to the nations. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.