Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

the end of this psalm: ‘All tribes, with out exception, shall feel a sacred awe of the God of Israel. Igno- rance shall be removed, insolence subdued, injustice banished, idolatry abhorred, and the Lord’s love, light, life and liberty shall be over all, the Lord himself being King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Amen and Amen 2 !’

1 Keil & Delitzsch 2 Spurgeon

PSALM 68: ARISE, O GOD The Triumphal Procession of Christ

This majestic psalm is a celebration of the triumphal procession of Yahweh as he has marched in victory through the centuries. It encompasses the Exodus from Egypt to the exaltation of Christ and fi- nally the extension of His kingdom to all the earth at the end of the ages. It is resplendent with praise and makes use of six different names for God: “Yah” (v5), “Shaddai” (v15), “Yahweh” (v17), “Adonai” (6x), “El” (2x), “Yahweh Adonai” (v21). It is so unique in language and style that 13 words occur in this psalm and nowhere else. It is ultimately about Christ pouring out his gifts upon the church as Paul quotes it in Ephesians 4:8; “and gave gifts to his people”. Because of many difficult passages and lofty thoughts one scholar commented: ‘it is no easy task to become master of this Titan 1 .’ It is divided into two main sections that are each divided into four parts:

I EXALTATION OF THE KING - 1-18 (The Past)

1. Exalt the Lord- 1-6 2. Egypt to the Promised Land- 7-10 3. Entering the Promised Land- 11-14 4. Entering the Sanctuary of Zion- 15-18 II EXTENDING THE KINGDOM - 19-35 (The Present and Prophecy)

5. Enemies Subdued- 19-23 6. Entourage of Worship- 24-27 7. Extending His Rule- 28-31 8. Epilogue of Praise- 32-35

Although there are many theories about the occasion of the writing of the psalm, one possibility stands out, the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-Edom: “Then David and the leaders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the home of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration.” (1 Chron. 15:25)

INTRODUCTION:

“For the choir director: A psalm of David. A Song.” This is more than a psalm and more than a song; it is a psalm-song, the most exquisite expression of poetry and music possible.

I EXALTATION OF THE KING - 1-18

1. Exalt the Lord! - “Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind. Melt them like wax in fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.” (1,2) The psalm begins with the ancient prayer that Moses prayed each day as he led the Israelites through the desert: “And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would cry, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your ene- mies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” (Num. 10:35) God still responds to this honored prayer of his servants. It is very typical of David’s poetical style to use the similes of wind blown smoke and melt- ing wax to describe his fleeing enemies.

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