Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the peo- ple, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us here.” (18)

We have now reached the pinnacle of this psalm and Paul explains this verse as Jesus pouring out the gifts of the Spirit upon his church. “…he has given each one of us a special gift according to the gen- erosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say, ‘ When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people…He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” (Eph. 4:8, 11) Paul quotes either from the Targum or Syriac version of the Bible which says ‘gave gifts’ rather than the Hebrew version which states; ‘received gifts.’ The New Testament reverses the spiritual polarity of God’s kingdom. In the Old Testament the Lord received gifts after the battle was won. In the New Testament he equips his church with spiritual gifts that they may win the battles of faith. 5. Enemies Subdued- “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude– Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death. But god will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. The Lord says, ‘ I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea. You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!” (19-23) Our praise releases both the tenderness and terror of the Lord. In the atmosphere of praise the Lord tenderly carries us in his arms (‘daily bears our burdens’ NIV), saves us from our enemies and delivers us from death. That same exercise of praise has an adverse effect upon our spiritual enemies, smash- ing their plans and crushing their attacks. 6. Entourage of Worship- “Your procession has come into view, O God–the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary. Singers are in front, musicians are behind; with them are young women playing tambourines. (24,25) Whether this is a description of the original procession of the Ark to Zion or a later procession after a military victory it was always done in the same way. “Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders…David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals.” (1 Chron. 15:15,16) The Ark, now represented by Jesus himself, went in front. It is important to note the arrangement of singers, musicians and tambourines. It might be that God is saying what is most important in music are the words and melodic line, then the musical arrangement and harmony and finally the rhythm instru- ments. Rejoicing in the dance has been a vital part of God’s triumphal procession through the centuries. • Victory over Pharaoh- “Then Miriam the prophet,…took a tambourine and led all the women in rhythm and dance.” (Ex. 15:20) • Victory over Goliath- “Women came out from all the towns…to celebrate and to cheer for King Saul (and David), and they sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.” (1 Sam. 18:6) • The Placement of the Ark in Jerusalem- “And David danced before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Sam. 6:14) “Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life. Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebu- lon and Naphtali.”(26,27) Praise connects the triumphal procession to God, it’s source of life. Benjamin is mentioned because that was the warrior tribe of King Saul while Judah was the royal tribe of King David. Zebulon and Naph- tali were chosen to lead the procession because of their willing participation in Israel’s battles from the days of Deborah onward. “But Zebulon risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the battlefield.” (Jdg. 5:18) God is looking for triumphal tribes to lead his people to victory! 7. Extending His Rule- “Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. The Kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem. Rebuke these enemy nations–these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Humble II EXTENDING THE KINGDOM -

166