THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION

Psalms: God's Nurture Of The Inner Man In The Life Of Faith

LXVIII: Drawing From God's Past Provisions For Praising Him Today

(Psalm 68:1-35)

I. Introduction

A. God's record of meeting His people's needs gives hope for His present help and cause for them to praise Him.

B. Psalm 68:1-35 addresses this theme, so we view it for our insight and edification:

II. Drawing From God's Past Provisions For Praising Him Today, Psalm 68:1-35.

A. The introductory remarks in the English Bible comprise the first verse of the Hebrew text (Kittel, Bib. Heb., p. 1031), so we stay with the numbering system of the English Bible for clarity with this lesson, and we translate Psalm 68:1-35 as follows: (1) "May Elohim arise, may His enemies be scattered; may those who hate Him flee from His face." (2) "As smoke is blown away by the wind, may You blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before Elohim." (3) "But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before the face of Elohim; may they be happy and rejoice." (4) "Sing to Elohim, sing praise to His name, extol Him Who rides on the clouds -- His name is Jah(weh) -- and rejoice before His face." (5) "A Father to the fatherless, a Defender of widows, is Elohim in His holy dwelling." (6) "Elohim sets the lonely ones in a home. He leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." (7) "When You went before the face of Your people, O Elohim, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah." (8) "The earth shook, the heavens poured down rain from the face of Elohim, the One of Sinai, from the face of Elohim, the Elohim of Israel." (9) "You gave abundant showers, O Elohim, Your refreshed Your weary inheritance." (10) "Your people settled in it, and from Your bounty, O Elohim, Your provided for the poverty-stricken." (11) "Adonai gave the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:" (12) "'Kings of armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.'" (13) "'Even while you [Israel] sleep among the saddlebags [camping out en route to Canaan] the wings of my dove [peace] are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold [prosperity].'" (14) "When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon." (15) "The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan." (16) "Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where Elohim chooses to reign, where Jahweh Himself will dwell forever?" (17) "The chariots of Elohim are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; Adonai has come from Sinai into His sanctuary." (18) "When You ascended on high, You led captives in Your train; You received gifts from men, even from the rebellious -- that You, of Jah(weh), might dwell there." (19) "Praise be to Adonai Who day after day bears the burden pertaining to us, (to) El(ohim) our Savior. Selah." (20) "Our El(ohim) is an El(ohim) Who saves, and from Jahweh Adonai comes escape from death." (21) "Surely Elohim will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins." (22) "Adonai says, 'I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea" (23) "that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share." (24) "Your procession has come into view, O Elohim, the procession of my El(ohim) and King into the sanctuary." (25) "In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines." (26) "Praise Elohim in the great congregation; praise Jahweh in the assembly of Israel." (27) "There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah's princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and Naphtali." (28) "Summon Your power, O Elohim, show us Your strength, O Elohim, as You have done to us before." (29) "Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts." (30) "Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war." (31) "Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God." (32) "Sing to the Elohim, O kings of the earth, sing praise to Adonai. Selah." (33) "To Him Who rides the ancient skies above, Who thunders with mighty voice." (34) "Proclaim the power of Elohim, Whose majesty is over Israel, Whose power is in the skies." (35) "You are awesome, O Elohim, in Your sanctuary; The El(ohim) of Israel, He (em. pron.) gives power and abundant might to the people. Bless Elohim!"

B. This psalm likely served as a processional, possibly of the moving of the ark to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6; Bible Know. Com., O. T., p. 842. Its extensive praise can be highlighted by the verse 19 claim that God, the Master of His people, nevertheless in self-imposed servitude daily bore the burdens of His servants in great grace!

Lesson: David praised God for His constant gracious bearing of the burdens of His people, regardless of the need, and this praise sets a great example for us Christians to praise God abundantly for His great, faithful help to us.