Passage: Psalm 68
The Big Idea
Psalm 68 is a victory march. God arises, His enemies scatter, and He leads His people from Sinai to His sanctuary. Along the way He shows His heart: a Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, the One who sets the solitary in families and leads captives out to freedom. Paul quotes verse 18 about Jesus (Ephesians 4:8): He ascended on high, led captivity captive and gave gifts to people. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits.
Reflections
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered (vv. 1-2). Yes, God. Show Your power and glory. Don’t let anyone stand before You in rebellion, and draw many to accept Your mercy. It’s right for the wicked to perish like wax before fire. You’ve made us righteous by Your blood, which shields us from that fire. Have mercy.
But let the righteous be glad (v. 3). I’m so blessed to be forgiven and born again. Do this for everyone in my household, too. We can’t escape the fire without Your grace. Forgive our sin for Jesus’ sake and give new hearts and a new spirit. Hosanna: God, save!
Sing to God… by His name YAH (v. 4). I know Your name. I know You’re merciful, gracious and kind, and that You answer prayer. Deliver those I love from the enemy’s traps. Do it Your way. It’s Your glory and Your story I’ll sing about, and I’ll rejoice today as if it’s already answered.
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows (v. 5). You see the poor and sorrowful, and You step in. When we’re weak and attacked, defend us and be our Father. Teach the next generation the meaning of Your love in the deepest part of their hearts.
God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound (v. 6). Do it, Lord. Set the bound free. Bring a message of Your love to the lonely. What we need most is the miracle of new birth. If we have that, we have You, and we’re rich.
The earth shook… at the presence of God (vv. 7-8). We need Your presence today. Show up! Reach down in Your mercy and pour out grace. I’m humble before You and pray in faith. You’re my only hope.
You sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary (vv. 9-10). Send that rain again. Deliver us from the dry, lifeless desert. We don’t deserve Your rain of grace, and we couldn’t pay for it. It has to be a free gift of Your goodness, poured out on people who don’t even know yet how much they need You.
The Lord gave the word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it (v. 11). Add new voices to that company today.
Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver (v. 13). Doves are weak and gentle, and You value that. You see it as silver and gold. As we rest in Your care, You love us.
This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in (vv. 15-16). Bashan was proud, but God chose humble Zion. Let this be my life: once a home for evil, now Your dwelling place. You desire to dwell in me and in my family. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The chariots of God are twenty thousand… the Lord is among them (v. 17). I take this as a promise of Your presence. Your power is with me, and You’ll never leave or forsake me. I won’t let go until You bless me. I can’t save anyone myself, and I can’t make my home Your holy place. Only You can.
You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive (v. 18). Your resurrection is the key. You can deliver anyone who’s a captive to sin, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there. Do that mysterious, mighty work. Be pleased to choose us.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits (v. 19). Oh, how I need You and love You. You’ve eased my heart even while I still feel the urgency. When I don’t ask, You still meet my needs. When I’m lost, You come after me. When I’m upset, You calm me. You’re faithful when I’m not faithful at all. You deserve my whole life.
Our God is the God of salvation; to God the Lord belong escapes from death (v. 20). You’ve forgiven me, transformed me, blessed me and heard my prayer thousands of times. You’ve put a burden on my heart that’s too much to bear, so I give it right back to You. My part is to pray, to love and to lead. The heart is Yours. I release the burden to You now.
I will bring them back from Bashan, from the depths of the sea (v. 22). I believe it, and I receive this promise. Even when hearts seem dead and drowned, You’re able to save. Keep me believing. I’ll wait patiently, and I’ll cry out every day, releasing the burden as many times as it takes.
They have seen Your procession, O God… into the sanctuary (vv. 24-27). You march in to take Your place as King, in the place where You meet with me, where Your sacrifice was made. Be King of my heart: my mind, emotions and will. Your life is a celebration of victory. And You leave no one out. From little Benjamin to the princes of the tribes, You call them all Your own.
Your God has commanded your strength; strengthen, O God, what You have done for us (v. 28). You’re the source of my strength. Let Your works be purely Yours, with none of my flesh mixed in to mar them. Let it all be about Your glory and Your grace poured out.
Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God (v. 31). You can turn enemies into those who reach out for Your help.
He sends out His voice, a mighty voice (vv. 32-34). You’re not afraid or challenged. You speak, and it’s done. Ascribe strength to God. I trust You, and I want to see Your strength displayed in my life.
O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people (v. 35). You care about people more than places and things. Touch me right now. I’m Your weak and desperate child. Hear me. Blessed be God!
Grace Takeaway
The God who arises and scatters His enemies is the same God who is a Father to the fatherless. The risen Jesus has led captivity captive, even for the rebellious. Hand Him your heaviest burden, and let Him daily load you with benefits.
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