Psa 68:2 | KingComments | STEP | It has been thought that this psalm, this song ( ), was made on the occasion of the bringing up of the ark to Mount Zion after its humiliating capture by the Philistines ( ) and its stay in the house of Obed-edom ( ). This bringing up of the ark is accompanied by music and song ( ). Prophetically, we see in it a type of the deliverance the LORD gives by going to Zion, Jerusalem: “Listen! Your watchmen lift up [their] voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion” ( ; cf. ). In fact, Psalm 68 is a summary and culmination of the previous psalms (Psalms 61-67). It is clearly a Messianic psalm. is quoted by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians and applied to the ascension of the Lord Jesus ( ). The latter provides the key to understanding this psalm: this psalm is about the triumphal march of Christ (cf. ; ). The psalmist makes use of various exalted portions of the Old Testament, such as sayings of Moses, songs of Deborah and of Hannah, the book of Deuteronomy and even the prophecies of Balaam. Added to this is the fact that God is mentioned here by a multitude of names. For “for the choir director” ( ) see at Psalm 4:1. It is “a Psalm. A Song of David”. It is the last “psalm” in the row of four psalms called “a song”. See further at Psalm 65:1. The psalm begins majestically: “Let God arise” ( ; cf. ; ). This is to say that God arises to go and act and fulfill Psalm 110 ( ). These words recall what Moses said when the ark went up with the people in the wilderness ( ). The ark is the symbol of God’s presence and protection. It is His throne. God takes His place in front the people, at the head of His people. As a result, the enemies are scattered everywhere. “Those who hate Him” because they have no connection with Him, “flee before Him”. When He arises in His majesty, He drives away His haters with the same ease with which “smoke is driven away” ( ). It is not an unequal battle, no, there is no battle at all, it is over before it begins ( ). Just His arising, without speaking a word or taking any special action, causes the disappearance of His haters. Like expelled smoke, they disappear without leaving a trace of them (cf. ). David uses another comparison. The enemies of God are also like wax that melts by fire (cf. ). No shape or resistance remains. So easily “the wicked perish before God” (cf. ).

‏ Psalms 68:2

Introduction

It has been thought that this psalm, this song (Psa 68:1a), was made on the occasion of the bringing up of the ark to Mount Zion after its humiliating capture by the Philistines (1Sam 4:17 ; 22 ; 1Sam 5:1) and its stay in the house of Obed-edom (2Sam 6:1-2 ; 12-18). This bringing up of the ark is accompanied by music and song (1Chr 15:27-28). Prophetically, we see in it a type of the deliverance the LORD gives by going to Zion, Jerusalem: “Listen! Your watchmen lift up [their] voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion” (Isa 52:8; cf. Isa 30:30-31 ; Isa 31:4).

In fact, Psalm 68 is a summary and culmination of the previous psalms (Psalms 61-67). It is clearly a Messianic psalm. Psa 68:18 is quoted by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians and applied to the ascension of the Lord Jesus (Eph 4:8).

The latter provides the key to understanding this psalm: this psalm is about the triumphal march of Christ (cf. Lk 24:44; Jn 5:39). The psalmist makes use of various exalted portions of the Old Testament, such as sayings of Moses, songs of Deborah and of Hannah, the book of Deuteronomy and even the prophecies of Balaam. Added to this is the fact that God is mentioned here by a multitude of names.

God rises

For “for the choir director” (Psa 68:1a) see at Psalm 4:1.

It is “a Psalm. A Song of David”. It is the last “psalm” in the row of four psalms called “a song”. See further at Psalm 65:1.

The psalm begins majestically: “Let God arise” (Psa 68:1b; cf. Psa 44:26; 2Chr 6:41). This is to say that God arises to go and act and fulfill Psalm 110 (Psa 110:1b). These words recall what Moses said when the ark went up with the people in the wilderness (Num 10:35). The ark is the symbol of God’s presence and protection. It is His throne. God takes His place in front the people, at the head of His people. As a result, the enemies are scattered everywhere. “Those who hate Him” because they have no connection with Him, “flee before Him”.

When He arises in His majesty, He drives away His haters with the same ease with which “smoke is driven away” (Psa 68:2). It is not an unequal battle, no, there is no battle at all, it is over before it begins (Psa 2:5b-6). Just His arising, without speaking a word or taking any special action, causes the disappearance of His haters. Like expelled smoke, they disappear without leaving a trace of them (cf. Hos 13:3). David uses another comparison. The enemies of God are also like wax that melts by fire (cf. Mic 1:4). No shape or resistance remains. So easily “the wicked perish before God” (cf. Isa 11:4b).