Bible Commentaries

Psalm 68

The Great Redemption Accomplished

1. The introduction (Psalms 68:1-3)

2. The proclamation of His Name and of ‘His acts (Psalms 68:4-6)

3. A historic review (Psalms 68:7-12)

4. Israel’s place of blessing and the Redeemer (Psalms 68:13-19)

5. His victory over the enemies (Psalms 68:20-23)

6. The great procession (Psalms 68:24-29)

7. The conversion of the nations and the kingdom (Psalms 68:30-35)

This is one of the greatest Psalms. The Name of God is found in it in seven different forms: Jehovah, Adonai, El, Shaddai, Jah, Jehovah-Adonai and Jah-Elohim. The opening verses mention three great facts of the accomplished redemption. God arises--the enemies are scattered--the righteous rejoice. See Numbers 10:35. Praise then begins. Psalms 68:4 correctly rendered is “Sing unto God, sing forth His Name, Cast up a way for Him that rideth in the deserts” (not heavens). See also Isaiah 62:10. The word used for deserts (araboth) refers to the regions south of Jerusalem, Jordan and the Dead Sea. The One who comes as the glorious King is He who hath passed through the scenes of death and has the power to lead from death to life. He delivers His earthly people who waited for Him, while the rebellious dwell in a parched land. The manifestation of the God of Israel at Sinai (Psalms 68:7, etc.) is the type of His future manifestation. Psalms 68:13, “Though ye have lain among the sheepfolds (Israel)--wings of a dove covered with silver and greenish gold.” The dove, as the sacrificial bird, is a type of Christ, but it is also applied to godly Israel in the Song of Solomon, when they are addressed as “O my dove.” It applies therefore to both. The wings are covered with silver and gold. Silver stands for redemption and the greenish gold, the finest, for glory. Christ has brought redemption and glory, and under His blessed wings, Israel enjoys and possesseth both. Then the mount of God where His glory will be seen where He dwells forever. Psalms 68:18 is quoted in Ephesians 4:8. He, the Redeemer of Israel, had descended first into the lower parts of the earth, even into the depths of death and the grave. Then He ascended into glory. But notice, it saith here that this ascended One received gifts for men, but in Ephesians we read that He communicates that which He hath received as the risen and glorified One. The Holy Spirit adds to it in Ephesians. But He also omits something. He leaves out “even for the rebellious.” This refers to rebellious Israel and has no place in the Epistle which concerns the church alone. Then His victory over enemies and the lawless leader, the Antichrist (Psalms 68:20-23). The wonderful procession, He the triumphant leader, the head of the new creation (Psalms 68:24-29). And finally the world and the nations bowing before Him. There will be a temple in Jerusalem once more, as we saw before. The kings of the earth will go there to worship and to bring presents. And then peace on earth, true peace, lasting peace, universal peace, which the world tries to have now while we write this, without the Prince of Peace. “He scattereth the peoples that delight in war” (Psalms 68:30). Peace on earth in the Psalms always follows the visible and glorious manifestation of the King.