Psalm 68: God Has Watched Over Israel

Psalm 68 “depicts in striking details Israel’s journey through the desert, the conquest of Canaan, the flight of hostile kings, and the final establishment of Jerusalem as the religious center of the nation.” God’s enemies scatter before His power.

The righteous, on the other hand, have nothing to fear from the Lord.

God is truly to be exalted by those who follow Him.

He is a Father to the fatherless and brings justice to the widow.

He provides for the bachelor who cannot afford a bride and sees that his heritage continues. He releases the captives from their chains (vv. 1–6).

The psalm records the history of God’s marvelous leadership during Israel’s sojourn from Egypt to Canaan. The awesome presence of God atop Mount Sinai is depicted as well as His provision of manna. The kings of Canaan flee before the power of the Lord (vv. 7–14) and the armies of Israel (Joshua 10:10, 11). Finally, God chooses Mount Zion as His temple (Psalm 68:16). “God Himself, attended by the heavenly hosts, carrying with Him all the majesty and glory that were displayed at Sinai, is now established in Mt. Zion. What a glorious conclusion to the historic retrospect!” “The psalm closes with an invitation to all nations to praise the Supreme God who has so gloriously manifested His power and goodness in leading Israel on its triumphal march from Egypt to Mt. Zion. When Christ ascended to His Father, the angels received Him into the heavenly courts singing in triumph the words of vs. 32–34.” Blessed be God (v. 35)! “The contemplation of God’s character as depicted in this poem elicits this tribute of praise from the heart of every grateful child of God (see Ps. 66:20).” “The God of Abraham praise, / Who reigns enthroned above; / Ancient of everlasting days, / And God of love; / Jehovah! Great I AM! / By earth and heaven confessed; / I bow and bless the sacred name, / Forever blest.”