Psalm 68,
as we have said, was composed by David when the Ark of the Covenant was relocated
from the house of Obed-edom to Mount Zion. This Psalm underscores the
blessedness of having the presence of God in the journey of life. Though Bashan
was formidable in the sight of all the people, yet God chose to reside in Mount
Zion. Verses 15-23 tell us that from there God protected His people and blessed
them bountifully. In the Bible, Mount Zion has become a symbol of God’s
presence. His presence is what we must seek. A day in God’s presence is certainly
better than a thousand elsewhere.
When we
come to verses 24-27, David began to describe the procession when the Ark was
moved. It was a glorious sight to see the entrance of
the Majestic Lord with the Ark into His Sanctuary. The procession was preceded
by singers and followed by musicians. Zebulun and Naphtali, two tribes from the
Northern Kingdom, and Benjamin and Judah, two tribes of the Southern Kingdom,
were mentioned in the procession. They represented all the tribes of Israel,
the descendants of Jacob. All of Israel was admonished to bless God.
Verses 28-35
contain their desires. The first one from verses 28-31 expressed the desire for
God’s continual deliverance of His people. The Psalmist expressed the desire for
God to strengthen His people. As God dwelt in Jerusalem and His dominion
established, kings from other lands would come offering their gifts. He would
bring into subjection the strong and aggressive forces represented by bulls and
calves, both national leaders and people, to come and submit and to pay tribute
to the Lord. Then He would scatter all who delight in war.
The
second desire in 32-35, calls for the Lord’s reign to cover the whole earth.
The whole earth is now admonished to sing praises to the Lord. The significance
of these desires re-iterate firstly, that God had chosen Israel and established
His rule over them. And then through them His blessing would flow to all the
earth. Secondly, these desires also
reveal to us the personhood of God and give us a greater understanding of who
He truly is. Sprinkle throughout this Psalm we see Him being addressed as The
LORD. This word appears in capital letters because it has been translated Yahweh,
the covenant name of God, (v4), the Almighty (v14), God (v16), the Lord God (v18),
God the Lord (v20)
This Psalm brings together praises, prayers
and thanksgivings. It is a reminder of the rich heritage of God’s people. It
tells us that our Lord God cares for His people. And that He is the Majestic
God who rules and reigns over the universe. What a wonderful thought to know
that the Sovereign Lord of the universe is reigning over us. We, the church, must
be the visible expression of His invisible reign. We must be the channel through
which the great things seen among us will visibly express His invisible presence
among us. What a glorious privilege!
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