Psalms 68

Psalms 68THEME: Song of deliverance that ushers in the kingdomHere is a psalm of deliverance and victory. Whereas we saw the kingdom in Psalms 67, here we see the King in His glory and strength.

Psalms 68:1

This is a reference to Num_10:35. Each day when Israel was ready to begin the wilderness march, Moses would say, “…Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.” What a wonderful way to begin the day’s march! The preceding psalm was a singing psalm, and this is another singing psalma song of triumph and glory!

Psalms 68:4

“Sing unto God, sing praises to his name"here, again, we see that man is to glorify Him, and God is moving toward that day when the earth will glorify Him. Men don’t glorify God today; they take His name in vain.

Psalms 68:13

The word pots should probably be changed to “sheepfolds.” Deborah used that same Hebrew word in her prophetic song: “Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? …” (Jdg_5:16). You will see that this was addressed to Reuben, because Reuben did not go out to battle. Evidently in both passages the word is used to describe an indifferent, an inactive, and a selfish condition. In this psalm it seems to have the same meaningIsrael was undecided and inactive. “Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove"the dove was a sacrificial bird and is a type of Christ. What a picture this gives us. Though they be negligent, though they are not moved by enthusiasm, yet the sacrifice of Christ will cover them. This psalm could actually be called the psalm of the Ascension since we have a verse that is quoted in Eph_4:8: “…When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

Psalms 68:18

When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven after His death, I think He did two things. First, He took with Him to heaven all those saints of the past who were in paradise. God had saved them on credit up to that time, but our Lord paid the redemptive price for them when He died on the cross. He took them (the spirits of just men made perfect) into the presence of God. Secondly, He gave gifts to men on earth so that today He carries on His work through those to whom He has given those gifts. Every person who is in the body of Christ has a giftnot all have the same gift, of course. As you can see, this is a marvelous verse.

Psalms 68:21

These verses speak of a glorious victory for the future. The one referred to as the “hairy scalp” is the Antichrist. In spite of what the Antichrist will try to do, he will fail. God will bring His people from even the depths of the sea. This is Israel’s restoration.

Psalms 68:27

These verses are talking about the children of Israel. There are those today who believe that Great Britain is the ten lost tribes of Israel. Perhaps they think little Benjamin really refers to Big Ben in London. May I say to you that there are interpretations that are as wild as that today. Little Benjamin simply means the tribe of Benjamin. It does not mean anything else. But notice that little Benjamin has a great God.

Psalms 68:35

We also are little but have the same great God, and He gives us the strength and power we need. Blessed be God!