Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Psalms 68

Psalms 68

I usually post the entire chapter we are looking at in a day, but some of the Psalms make that tough because of length. Today we start in verse 11 of Psalms 68. Focus especially on verse 13 and 17.


      11 The Lord announces the word,
         and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:
      12 “Kings and armies flee in haste;
         the women at home divide the plunder.
      13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, s
         the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
         its feathers with shining gold.”
      14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
         it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.

      15 Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
         Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
      16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
         at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
         where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
      17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
         and thousands of thousands;
         the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
      18 When you ascended on high,
         you took many captives;
         you received gifts from people,
         even from the rebellious—
         that you, LORD God, might dwell there.

      19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
         who daily bears our burdens.
      20 Our God is a God who saves;
         from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
      21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
         the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
      22 The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
         I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
      23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,
         while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”

      24 Your procession, God, has come into view,
         the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
      25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
         with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
      26 Praise God in the great congregation;
         praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
      27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
         there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
         and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

      28 Summon your power, God;
         show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
      29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
         kings will bring you gifts.
      30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
         the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
         Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
         Scatter the nations who delight in war.
      31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
         Cush will submit herself to God.

      32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
         sing praise to the Lord,
      33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
         who thunders with mighty voice.
      34 Proclaim the power of God,
         whose majesty is over Israel,
         whose power is in the heavens.
      35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
         the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

         Praise be to God!

Two key verses strike me as really putting this Psalm into a unique category. First, I am fascinated with God's words in verse 13--

13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, s
         the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
         its feathers with shining gold.”

These imply something amazing! A sheep pen has many characteristics, but most importantly in the Bible it implies we are under a shepherd. Perhaps this verse would be still be accurate in context if it read, "Even while you sleep you are under my care--my glory goes before you and I am fighting on your behalf."

Verse 17 really sums up what verse 13 sets up. It states,

17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
         and thousands of thousands;
         the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.

This verse reveals the nature of the problems and concerns we face in this world. No matter how much we fear problems they are small compared to the mighty power of God and He is on "our side." In fact, even while we blindly sleep is glory goes before us.  The battle is over--The King has one--even if the enemy is still figuring that out and so are we!



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