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Psalm 68

At first reading, this psalm might seem rather disjointed, with many different subjects and unconnected thoughts.  But if you'll first picture in your mind a scene of many, many troops, freshly returning from a great victory, but yet still at some distance from Jerusalem, then the picture becomes clearer. 

The psalmist stands just outside the temple (or tabernacle) and observes the victorious army returning.  In his mind's eye he sees God returning at the head of the army and then, after a few moments, all the people, warrior and civilian alike gathering together to God's house. They gather in the outer courts of the symbolic place of God's throne and dwellingplace to praise Him, to shout for joy, to sing, dance, and shout the victory.

What has happened is all summed up in verses 7-10: "O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, the earth shook; the heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.  You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary.  Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor."  God, in other words, sustained His armies by means of refreshing rain, even in the desert wilderness.  And then He provided the victory as well: "Kings of armies flee, they flee, and she who remains at home divides the spoil!"

As the psalmist stands and observes, he sees God the great King approaching, and he praises Him for His great victory.  He says, "You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there."  In other words, He is leading back to Jerusalem in great victory the captives of war, and they must pay Him with their servitude from now on.

It should remind us of the same King in the context of Paul's letter to the Philippians in Phil. 2:9.  There the apostle says, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Thus Jesus, after His death, after His burial, after His resurrection - ascended on High to the right hand of God the Father almighty, the battle over, the victory won!

Our part as His people is to praise Him for His victory and to rejoice that it results in salvation!  So the psalmist says, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits (the spoils of war), the God of our salvation!  Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belongs escapes from death!"  Let us celebrate from week to week, on Sunday, the day of His resurrection, the victory He has won and in which we participate!

Yes, as you mention in your first paragraph, we found it to be "disjointed" Alan but your devotional sure has helped.

Maybe it would be good to read your words first and it would help us with the reading to understand it more.

Verse 19 is precious!

I appreciate your saying that, Pat - maybe it's what I should advise.

I mentioned it today in "Thoughts for the Week" as it's helped Paul and I each day.