Psalm 68 - Victory

David wrote the psalm to celebrate the arrival of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem. He calls on God to arise and enter the city he had fought for. David begins with a section summarising what had happened. God’s opponents had been forced to flee, but the righteous greatly rejoiced. In his campaign, God had revealed the compassion he has for the needy, including widows and orphans. He had brought spiritual liberty and treasures to those isolated and imprisoned by sin, but who had followed him into freedom (vv. 1-6).

In the next couple of sections, David reflects on the journey of the children of Israel from Mount Sinai after receiving God’s law. Even the natural order was affected by his presence, with an earthquake and plenty rain. The rain also brought great refreshment for his people in Canaan, the inheritance he had given to them. David also refers to how women celebrated divine victories over powerful kings (vv. 7-14).

In verses 15-18, David depicts the high mountain of Bashan in the north, with its many peaks, looking down with hatred at the small hill of Zion because God had chosen to live there. Zion had now become like Sinai because of the presence of the Lord with his armies. It had been a long campaign, taking centuries to be completed, with many battles and triumphs, but now he had reached his destination.

Verses 19-23 describe the confidence the people had in the God who had delivered them. He had been with them day by day, providing salvation even when it seemed unlikely. It was his actions that had brought great victories for his people as he destroyed their enemies and brought them safely to where they now were.

The procession accompanying the ark is described in verses 24-27. Choirs led it and musicians were at the rear, with women playing tambourines in between them or around them. Leaders from the tribes took their places, with those from the north mentioned as well as those from the two tribes who had provided the monarchy. It was certainly a joyous occasion, a fitting climax to a long campaign.

But the climax was not the closure. In verses 28-31, David looks ahead to times when Gentiles will come to Zion to worship the Lord, including from Egypt where his people had been slaves and from Cush which was far away. They would experience the gracious power of God, although others would be punished for their sins.

The psalmist then calls on the nations to praise the great God who had done so much for Israel (vv. 32-35). He is sovereign over everything (even the skies), and his presence with his people gives them security and reminds them that he will use his great power to give them whatever strength they will need. Who can compare with the faithful, triumphant God of Israel?

How can we understand the psalm? By noting that Paul in Ephesians 4 applies verse 18 to the ascension of Christ: ‘You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.’ This means that the arrival of the ark of the covenant in the earthly Zion is a picture of the arrival of Jesus into the heavenly Zion. Before his arrival, he had been in a battle at the cross. After his arrival, he will bring people from the nations to celebrate in Zion, which he does through the gospel.

The psalm also reminds us of the patience of God. It was a long campaign from Sinai to Zion, but it ended eventually in triumph. God knows what he is doing, and he knows the best way to do it. A day with him is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. He is patient today as well, but victory is sure.

Moreover, the psalm tells us about the importance of extravagant praise of the great God of salvation. The parade in the psalm entered Zion with great celebration and David noted the details. Of course, that parade is over. But another parade is continuing and in it are those marching to Zion behind their forerunner, Jesus. We don’t see those who have arrived today, and we will not see an arrival until it is our turn. But it is good to be in the parade. And we should celebrate.