Click here to read PSALM 68 in poetic form.
Background
Psalms 61-72 complete the Exodus book in Psalms and show the Messiah’s great atoning work. Psalm 68 gives the solution to problems raised in Psalms 61-67. It is a longer Psalm than the previous seven Psalms and unites them by showing the redeeming work of the Messiah.
This Psalm was written when the ark was brought to Jerusalem. E. W. Bullinger notes: “It was written originally for use at the going up of the Ark to Zion 951 B.C., a Sabbatical year (II Samuel 6 and I Chronicles 15…); but as it celebrates among other things, the deliverance from Egypt, it was afterward appointed for public use at the Feast of the Passover.” This can also be seen in the subscript to this Psalm: Shoshannim, which means “lilies” and refers to springtime, when Passover was celebrated. Jesus Christ was the true Passover lamb for all time (I Corinthians 5:7) and would have seen great significance in this Psalm about his atoning work.
Psalm 68 includes three uses of the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connects the truths that come before and after the term.
And this Psalm is beautifully arranged so that it moves towards a central point that describes Zion, the mount of Jerusalem (verses 15-18). This is where David built an empire and the place where Jesus Christ was crucified to bring eternal life for all mankind. And that central point is surrounded by two sections that build to a climax, showing God’s mercy to His people.
Structure
(Verses 1-3) An invocation to God Who scatters the wicked
(Verse 4) A call to praise God (4 exhortations)
(Verses 5,6) God’s mercy to the needy
(Verse 6) The rebellious live in desert places
(Verses 7-10) God supports the tribes in the wilderness (Pause)
(Verses 11-14) God’s Word scatters enemy kings
(Verses 15-18) Mount Zion where God dwells (where Christ finishes his work)
(Verses 19,20) God’s benefits to the needy (Pause)
(Verses 21-23) Enemies wounded and slain
(Verses 24-27) God shows Himself to the tribes in the sanctuary
(Verses 28-31) God’s command gathers enemy kings to Jerusalem
(Verses 32-35) A call to praise God (4 exhortations) (Pause)
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“Let God [Elohim] arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.” Psalm 68 uses this title of God (Elohim) 26 times and it emphasizes the Creator’s great power and authority. As God, He scatters His enemies, and the enemies of His Messiah.
Verse 4—“extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH [Jah], and rejoice before him.” This title for God (Jah) shows a relationship with His people. It is similar to the title Jehovah, and like Jehovah is often translated “Lord” in the King James Version. Its first use is in Exodus 15:2: “The Lord [Jah] is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation [yeshuah]: he is my God [El], and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God [Elohim], and I will exalt him.” From the beginning, Jah is associated with God’s salvation, which was carried out through His Son, Jesus (whose name comes from the Hebrew word Yeshuah).
Since Psalm 68 is in the Exodus book of Psalms, it is appropriate that the first use of Jah is found in Exodus 15. This occurrence in verse 4 is the first of 43 uses in the book of Psalms. It is also used in Isaiah regarding God’s great strength. See Exodus 15:2; 17:16; Psalms 68:4,18; 77:11; 89:8; 94:7,12; 102:18; 104:35; 105:45; 106:1,48; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1,9; 115:17,18; 116:19; 117:2; 118:5,14,17,18,19; 122:4; 130:3; 135:1,3,4,21; 146:1,10; 147:1,20; 148:1,14; 149:1,9; 150:1,6; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4; 38:11.
Verse 18—“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men.” The word “received” can mean to “take, or seize.” Christ took what we needed and gave unto us. This scripture is quoted in Ephesians 4 to show what Christ accomplished in leading “captivity captive” and the gifts that followed.
Ephesians 4:7-11:
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.
Every born-again believer is given grace “according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” All that Christ accomplished for us—by his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending of the gift of holy spirit—is part of the grace given us when we receive God’s spirit within. He literally gave mankind access to God’s “unspeakable gift” of holy spirit (II Corinthians 9:15). We can have “Christ in” us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). There are also apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to support the body of Christ today.
Verse 31—“Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto God.” Eastern people in Bible times would extend their hands in supplication for help or aid. They would also stretch out their hands in giving gifts (verse 29 speaks of bringing presents). Hands were lifted in prayer or praise. And hands were raised in making oaths, much as people today swear on a Bible and raise their right hands in a court of law. Here, Ethiopia would turn to God in one of these manners.
Verse 34—“his strength is in the clouds.” God’s strength and majesty is beyond earthly comprehension. He is Almighty God, Creator and Lord of the universe.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
