SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2025

Ps. 68 - A psalm describing the demise of the enemies of God and their acknowledgement along with Israel of Yahweh as God Almighty - the Warrior-King (Pt. 4)

I. Introduction

In this psalm David gives the highlights from Israel's history, of the Lord's victory over His enemies, who are in turn the enemies of Israel, e.g. David's involvement in the Ammonite war (2 Sam. 10), or the occasion of David bringing of the ark up to its resting-place on Mount Zion - Jerusalem (vv. 8, 15, 24-27, 29; cf. 2 Sam. 6). One of the key themes of this psalm is praise for the powerful Warrior God of Israel - Yahweh.

The psalm also declares that God has moved from the sanctuaries of old, i.e. Sinai, (v. 8) and Bashan (v. 15) via a great procession (vv. 24-27) to the temple in Jerusalem (v. 29). However, this is still the same God of old, and His works can be relied upon for securing Israel’s future.

C. Yahweh chooses Zion for His habitation (vv. 15-18)

The thoughts now centre on the appointment of Mt. Zion as the place of God's sanctuary.

Verse 15-19. "O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?

The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah."

Verses 15-16. This hill of Zion is not high at all; it is a mere knoll compared with the lofty peaks; yet it was highly favoured by God. So, to carnal eyes, Christ’s kingdom on earth was little in comparison with the kingdoms of this world; yet, in the sight of God, it is greater than all of them (cf. Dan. 2:34-35, 44-45). It is not height or might that give importance to the many-peaked mountains, but it is the presence of God. God’s choice of Mount Zion made it greater than any other mountain.

Application: Paul underscored this principle when he declared that "it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God," who demonstrates his grace and mercy towards those he loves (cf. Rom. 9:16), also when he states that ‘God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong’ (1 Cor 1:27).

From his own life, David recognized the grace and mercy of God on his own life. He was the youngest son, the very last one of his father Jesse. No one would think that it was possible that he would be king, but he was the one the Lord chose (cf. 1 Sam 16:1-13).

D. Yahweh subdued all His enemies (vv. 19-23)

Verses 18-19. God is pictured as taking his abode on His holy mount of Zion (Jerusalem) after coming from the conquest of the land (cf. Jer. 41:12). As the warrior- king, Yahweh receives gifts from the nations he has defeated - his captives and his enemies. The rebellious who are destined to dwell with the Lord are pictured as being subdued, whether they willingly accept the Lord's gracious rule or not (v.18).

So, even those who once had been inclined to be uncooperative (or rebellious) are sending gifts as a sign of their surrender to a king who cannot be resisted. His people realise that their victory is totally due to the Lord, to whom they offer praise - the God of their salvation (v.19). All this is highly figurative language designed to portray how complete the victory of the Lord was.

The apostle Paul applies verses 18-19 to Christ’s defeat of the powers of darkness, by his death on the cross, and to Christ giving ascension leadership ministry gifts to his Church, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up 'the body of Christ' in love (cf. Col. 2:14b-15; Eph. 4:7-16). What Israel experienced in the natural, Christ obtained in the Spirit for his Church.

At his ascension, Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit upon his Church and assigned Five-fold leadership ministry gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to his body - the Church (Acts 2:32-33; Eph. 4:7-13). As ‘Lord of the Spirit,’ the power of the Spirit comes from Jesus ‘the head’ through his Five-fold leadership ministries on to ‘his body the Church’ (2 Cor. 3:17). Such ministries help to equip the believer in developing their particular gift and ministry to build up the body of Christ and to bring the Church into true unity in the faith and maturity in Christ (cf. Eph. 4:11-16, cf. 5:25-27).

(We will continue the exposition of Psalm 68 next week)
 

SUNDAY 8TH JUNE 2025

Ps. 68 - A psalm describing the demise of the enemies of God and their acknowledgement along with Israel of Yahweh as God Almighty - the Warrior-King (Pt. 3)

I. Introduction

In this psalm David gives the highlights from Israel's history, of the Lord's victory over His enemies, who are in turn the enemies of Israel, e.g. David's involvement in the Ammonite war (2 Sam. 10), or the occasion of David bringing of the ark up to its resting-place on Mount Zion - Jerusalem (vv. 8, 15, 24-27, 29; cf. 2 Sam. 6). One of the key themes of this psalm is praise for the powerful Warrior God of Israel - Yahweh.

 The psalm also declares that God has moved from the sanctuaries of old, i.e. Sinai, (v. 8) and Bashan (v. 15) via a great procession (vv. 24-27) to the temple in Jerusalem (v. 29). However, this is still the same God of old, and His works can be relied upon for securing Israel’s future.

B. God in conquest of the Land of Canaan (vv. 11-14)

Verses 11-14. "The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” The women at home divide the spoil— though you men lie among the sheepfolds— the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold. When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon."

The conquest of Canaan is sketched graphically in verses 11-14. When it came time for the people to move into the promised land, the Lord again announced the word, that is, he repeated his promise that the children of Israel would own the land (v. 11; cf. Gen 12:1; 15:7; 17:8). The great company who proclaimed it included not only the victorious Israelites but also the defeated nations (Josh 2:9-11). The Lord gave his people great victories, as recorded in Joshua 10-12.
 
Verses 10-11. In these verses, the psalmist returns to the theme of God as warrior-king. He appeals to the time when Israel was on the verge of entering the promised land, and Og. The king of Bashan came against her, but through God, Bashan was totally defeated (cf. Num. 21:33-35; Deut. 3:1-7). The psalmist describes the women announcing the news of the kings of the armies (a possible alliance of the surrounding nations with the king of Bashan), fleeing, and then the women dividing the spoil among themselves (cf. Judg. 5:30).
 
Verse 13. "Though the men lie among the sheepfold." Refers to Judg. 5:16, in which Deborah and Barak rebuke those who like Reuben, refused to take their part in the full conquest of the promised land, as well as a description of some of the spoil, which the women were dividing among themselves. Only one of the costly items involved, e.g. "the wings of a dove covered with silver" is mentioned by way of illustration. Consequently, Yahweh on Sinai (his holy habitation), is confirmed as the great warrior-king, not the so-called gods of the mountain of Bashan (vv.13-17; cf. Jos.5:16).
 
Verse 14. "Shaddai," is an ancient name for God, and appears here as "the Almighty," and scattering of the kings is associated with snow, another form of God’s control over nature and water. The exact location of Zalmon is unclear, but it is in the vicinity of Shechem (Jud. 9:46-49), which has led some to view it as a peak of Mount Gerizim.
 
When the Israelites were brought into the promise land by the Lord they were commanded to totally destroy seven Canaanite nations and to make no treaty with them or to show them any mercy, otherwise they will learn their evil ways and be lead astray from the commands of the Lord (cf. Deut. 7:1-2; 12:30; 18:9-14; Lev. 20:1-24; Acts 13:19).
 
For us as believers today, the conquest of Cannaan speaks of the overcoming life of the believer.  However, unlike Israel, we are not to put to death pagan Canaanite nations but put to death “whatever belongs to our earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).
 
The Canaan land that the believer is to inherit is victory over habitual sin in their lives, that they no longer “obey its evil desires.” Instead, believers will no longer offer parts of their bodies “to sin as an instrument of wickedness,”; they would offer their bodies “to God as those who have been brought from death to life” and offer their bodies to God as “an instrument of righteousness.” Sin will no longer be our master because we are no longer under the law of human legalism but under God’s grace and being led by the Spirit (Rom. 6:12-14; Gal. 5;18).
 
As those who have been “born of God” and have faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we are guaranteed to overcome the world, and the flesh (1 Jn. 5:4-5), and reminded by Jesus of the various promises that awaits us if we overcome the world and its ways (cf. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17; 27-28; 3:5, 12, 21). God bless you. 

(We will continue our exposition of Psalm 68 next week)
 
 

SUNDAY 1ST JUNE 2025

Ps. 68 - A psalm describing the demise of the enemies of God and their acknowledgement along with Israel of Yahweh as God Almighty - the Warrior-King (Pt. 2)

I. Introduction

In this psalm David gives the highlights from Israel's history, of the Lord's victory over His enemies, who are in turn the enemies of Israel, e.g. David's involvement in the Ammonite war (2 Sam. 10), or the occasion of David bringing of the ark up to its resting-place on Mount Zion - Jerusalem (vv. 8, 15, 24-27, 29; cf. 2 Sam. 6). One of the key themes of this psalm is praise for the powerful Warrior God of Israel - Yahweh.

The psalm also declares that God moves from the sanctuaries of old, i.e. Sinai, (v. 8) and Bashan (v. 15) via a great procession (vv. 24-27) to the temple in Jerusalem (v. 29), however, this is still the same God and His works of old can be relied upon for securing Israel’s future.

III. God travels with the people who become the nation of Israel (vv. 7-27)
 
A. God in the wilderness (vv. 7-10)

Verse 7. "O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah."

The declaration of praise now gives way to procession. The words that are proclaimed as the ark begins its trip are brought to fruition in verse 7 as God marches through the wilderness. Also, the psalmist maybe using a metaphor referring to the custom of the time, when a victorious king would march in procession in front of his army.

Verses 8-10. In these verses, the psalmist turns to God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, i.e., God as provider. God went out before his people, in a pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night. The psalmist combines the supernatural manifestations of Yahweh's theophany to Israel on Mount Sinai, with his provision of rain and water, for the languishing Israelites in the wilderness, and the irrigation of the landscape for a dwelling place for their cattle and flock (cf. Ex.17:1-7; 19:16; 20:18).

Verse 8. "The earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel." Here David uses descriptions very much like Judg. 5:4-5, in which God’s movement is described as one that shakes the heavens and that causes the clouds to pour down water.
 
Verses 9-10. "Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy."
 
Verse 9a. 'Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad'. Speaks of the gracious gifts that were rained upon God's people: manna, quail and water during their wilderness wanderings. Also, very heavy rain is often an accompaniment of volcanic action and earthquakes; however, in verse 9, it can be understood metaphorically as well.
 

Verse 9b. "your inheritance as it languished," refers to the Israelites spending forty years in the wilderness, before they were able to enter the promise land of God's inheritance for his people, because of their unbelief and rebellion towards the Lord (Num 14:33; 32:13; Acts 7:36).
 
Verse 10. "You provided for the needy." Refers to the Israelites in the desert, who had no resources of their own but were totally dependent on the manna and quail the Lord provided (Ex. 16). None of them, however, went hungry. The Lord fed each of them to complete satisfaction (cf. Deut. 8:4; Neh. 9:21).
 
The exodus and conquest of the promised land became the norm for the praises of Israel as the cross and the empty tomb as become the norm for praise for the Christian, especially at Easter (cf. Rev. 1:5b-7; 5:9, 12). The exodus figures in much of verses 7-10. The psalms contain many details of the exodus not found in the Pentateuch, cf. Ps. 77:16-18; 114:3-6.
 
As believers, we sometimes are called to go through a wilderness period of barrenness or trials and tribulation in our lives either spiritually or physically, however, we are promised God’s gracious gifts and provision in these difficult times (cf. Rev. 12:6, 14). So, brothers and sisters, consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds and like ancient Israel we will continue give thanks to God, “…who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (cf. Jam. 1:2: 2 Cor. 2:14). So out of testings let us testify to those around us about the goodness of God in our lives every day. God bless you.

(We will continue our exposition of Psalm 68 next week)
 
 

SUNDAY 25TH MAY 2025

Ps. 68 - A psalm describing the demise of the enemies of God and their acknowledgement along with Israel of Yahweh as God Almighty - the Warrior-King (Pt. 1)

I. Introduction

In this psalm David gives the highlights from Israel's history, of the Lord's victory over His enemies, who are in turn the enemies of Israel, e.g. David's involvement in the Ammonite war (2 Sam. 10), or the occasion of David bringing of the ark up to its resting-place on Mount Zion - Jerusalem (vv. 8, 15, 24-27, 29; cf. 2 Sam. 6). One of the key themes of this psalm is praise for the powerful Warrior God of Israel - Yahweh.
 
The structure of the psalm is cyclical, beginning and ending with the same proclamations, e.g. praise of the Rider (vv. 4, 33), and both of these proclamations are centred in sections that declare God’s power and might over all the world.
 
However, in the centre of the psalm, there is movement. God moves from the sanctuaries of old, i.e. Sinai, (v. 8) and Bashan (v. 15) via a great procession (vv. 24-27) to the temple in Jerusalem (v. 29).
 
The psalm declares that God made the historic move from the older sanctuaries to Jerusalem, but this is still the same God and the works of old can be relied upon for securing Israel’s future.
 
II. God our Warrior-King and Father (vv. 1-6)
 
Verses 1-2. "God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!"
 
Verse 1. Israel’s historical sequence is being followed in this psalm: the wilderness, the conquest of the promised land, the occupation of Jerusalem. So, in verse 1, it is reminiscent of Num. 10:35, in which Moses makes a declaration as the ark moves forth in the wilderness.
 
The association of the ark of God in the context of the enemies of God clearly recalls the early battles in Israel’s history in which the ark was taken into battle, and just as with those battles, the outcome of the wicked against God is never in question, as all God has to do is to rise up, and the enemies are blown away, melt, and perish (v. 2).
 
Hence, these opening words of Psalm 68 describe how futile and weak God's enemies are in the light of God as warrior. God has tolerated his enemies to give them time to repent, and as a consequence of his long-suffering towards them. However, it is now time for him to act (2 Pet. 3:9).
 
Verses 4-6. "Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."
 
Because of what God as warrior has done to his enemies, riding through the desserts, the righteous are exhorted to come with jubilant joy, to offer worship in singing praises to his name in song. The phrase, "Him who rides through the desserts" is an epitaph for the Canaanite god Baal, but here it is applied to Yahweh (vv. 3-4).
 
Verse 5. "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation."
Here David speaks of the attribute of God as Father. He is a Father of the fatherless and protector of widows. God is not some distant deity in 'his holy habitation', who doesn't care for the vulnerable within society or is unconcerned about justice in the world. But only does he care but he calls his people to speak up for the vulnerable and the voiceless within society (v.5; cf. Jam. 1:27; 5:1-6; Pr. 31:8-9). The mistreatment of the orphan or the widow is a serious matter for God, and he will judge the perpetrators of such injustice (cf. Ex. 22:22-24; Jam. 1:26-27). Such vulnerable individuals within society have a defender in Yahweh himself!
 
Verse 6. The context for verses 4-6 is in the wilderness, where the Israelites were like a company of fatherless people: God was their Protector, and in all their trials and dangers, he was their Defender. However, the majority were found to be "rebellious" and resulted in dying "in a parched land.”
 
Sadly verses 4-6 can typically describe Christians who refuse to be committed to the covenant life of a local church in service and witness. Instead, they tend to wander from one local church to another and never mature or reach their full potential in Christ (cf. Jude 12). God bless you.
 
(We shall continue our exposition of Psalm 68 next week).