Bible Commentaries
Psalms 68

Verses 1-35

This psalm sings the praise of the God of deliverances. It opens with a song of pure praise (verses Psa 68:1-6 ). This is then justified by a review of God's past dealings with His people (verses Psa 68:7-18 ). Finally, it affirms the present activity of God, and declares confidence in His future succor (verses Psa 68:19-35 ).

In the first six verses there is a wonderful description of God in His majesty and meekness, in His might and mercy. The contrasts are remarkable. He scatters His enemies. He is a Father of the fatherless. The wicked perish at His presence. He sets the solitary in families. There is no sense of contradiction. Rather the unity of the apparently dissimilar things is felt at once. His righteousness of the strength of His mercy. His might is the ability of His help. The righteous need have no fear of His strength, but rather rejoice in it, trust in it, and co- operate with it by casting up a highway for Him.

The next section of the psalm (verses Psa 68:7-18 ) is a description of God's dealing with His people Israel. The might of His going forth is referred to, and the effect it produced is described. The giving of the constitution and law at Sinai is remembered. Then His preparation of the land for His people and their settlement therein is spoken of, together with the song of the women who thus have found their homes. And still the song moves on to describe how God scattered kings before His people, and moved right onward until in majesty He had entered and possessed the hill of His city, the center of His earthly government. It is a fine setting of history in its relation to the activity of God. It is this view of God enthroned and governing which gives courage to the heart and inspires the songs of victory.

Yet the song does not wholly depend on past history for its strength. The last section (verses Psa 68:19-35 ) deals with the present activity of God. He is a present God, and in the days of the singer gives evidence of His power and pity.

Blessed be the Lord who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah. God is unto us a God of deliverances.

The appeal of the song to the people of God in all ages in their hours of difficulty is easily understood. It expresses the one and only consciousness which is equal to making a day of darkness and difficulty the occasion of exultation and song.