Psalm 68b - God Triumphant

Introduction

So far we have looked at the first 18 verses of psalm 68. These verses are more historical in nature. We have recounted God’s great power being manifested, in the deliverance and preservation of Israel. Now we are going to move into the present and future. Verses 19 - 35 speak of God’s continued care for His people, His granting of victory, and foreshadow the coming submission of all nations. Today we shall examine God Triumphant.

Exposition

Verses 19 - 23: The psalmist resumes offering blessings, praise, and honor to God. He is the Lord who rules heaven and earth. He is Lord over all things. God has not just been good in the past. He still cares for His people. The psalmist now speaks of how God daily bears His people’s burden. He is the God that saved them out of Egypt, from Pharaoh’s army, and from the nations in the wilderness. God has shown Himself able to deliver. He delivered Israel from bondage and destruction. He preserved her alive. He continues to keep them from death. In contrast to His care of Israel, the Lord will destroy His enemies. Those who continue to practice their evil ways will be totally destroyed. Fleeing will not be an option for them (). The Lord will drive them back to the swords of Israel. His victory will be shared with His people and her dogs will lick the blood coming from their bodies. There will be no escape for those whom oppose God. There is not escape from His judgment.

). The Lord will drive them back to the swords of Israel and her dogs will lick the blood coming from their bodies.

Verses 24 - 27: Both the people of God and His defeated enemies witness God’s victorious march. This is the march of the God of Israel, the personal God of the psalmist as He returns to His dwelling place (). This is accompanied by the musicians and singers praising God for what He has done. The psalmist calls for the people of God to praise Him in their midst. The praise is to the Lord and should come from the people He has brought forth.

). The Lord will drive them back to the swords of Israel and her dogs will lick the blood coming from their bodies.

Verses 28 - 31: The psalmist calls upon God to demonstrate His power on the earth, the same power that He used to deliver and raise up Israel. Israel is strong because of her God. All the Kings of the earth shall submit to the God of Israel. The subdued nations shall bring tribute to Him in Israel. The nations which fight shall be crushed under foot.

Verse 32 - 35: As in the prior two psalms, the psalmist calls for all nations to give praise to God. He is the Lord above all heavens and the earth. He is the One whom was from ancient times. He speaks with a mighty voice that all must heed. All peoples must declare the strength of the sovereign of Israel. His power is shown from the heavens. His awesome majesty is displayed from His temple. The Lord is the strength and power of Israel and is deserving of all the blessings of men.

Practical Application

Even as God provided for Israel, so he provides for all believers today. The Apostle Peter calls us to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us (). The transcendent Majesty of the universe is our loving father (). It is He who keeps us. That is why we must always acknowledge Him in our affairs ().

It is by His power and will that we are still here (). It was the Lord who granted victories to Israel and subdued her, and therefore His, enemies. It was not human might that won the battle (). Likewise, we are in a spiritual battle. This is why we are given spiritual armor. We must wear this armor securely and wield our sword wisely but it is God whom will grant the victory. Even good thing we have or will receive come from the hand of God and nowhere else.

The time is coming when the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of God and His church (). The God of Israel who is our God via Christ Jesus shall triumph over all opposing nations. Those who war with the Lamb will fail. Arrogant nations who refuse to submit will receive the rebuke of God, against which no one can stand. On the positive side, men and women for all tribes, creeds, nations, and tongues will together worship the one true God of us all. Let the church say, Amen.