Psalm 68 describes God as King on his processional march through the wilderness, across the battlefield, then to his heavenly throne. David likely composed this psalm as he restored the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6). The ark represented God’s very presence (Exod 25:10-22), but it had been captured by the Philistines (1 Sam 4-5). So, David now brings it back to Jerusalem where his son will construct a glorious temple (2 Chr 3-7). For there, in Zion, Yahweh promises rest in the land through his covenant with the Davidic king (2 Sam 7:1-17).
Seek God in the Barren Places (vv. 1-10)
God’s people seek him in barren places, for “God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!” (Ps 68:1). God rescues his people from slavery in Egypt. He scatters the enemy with plagues and miracles. He makes them fly like fleeting puffs of smoke and melt like wax figurines in a fiery furnace (vv. 2-3). A risen God means defeat for the wicked, but victory for the righteous.
So, as David restores the ark to the house of God, he remembers Israel’s journey through the wilderness (Num 10:35-36). He exhorts all Israel, “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!” (Ps 68:4). David echoes the Song of Moses: “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Exod 15:1-2). Like Moses, David rejoices that God is in his “holy abode” (vv. 13, 17). He delights in the God who cares for the helpless and sets the captives free (Ps 68:5-6). And like Moses, David composes an epic poem to signal the importance of this occasion. Yahweh—the eternal, promise-keeping God of Israel will find his people when they seek him in the barren places.
David then continues the journey to Mount Sinai: “O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy” (vv. 7-10). David recalls how Moses prepared the people to meet with God at Sinai (Exod 19:1-15). There God came before his people in great power and glory: “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled” (v. 16). God made a covenant with Israel, promising to care for them like a Shepherd for his flock—to provide rain for the harvest—to lead them through the barren places until they inherited the promised land—to bless them as long as they kept his law. And for a time, Israel did obey the Lord. So for a time, Yahweh went before his people as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day (Exod 13:21-22). And when the cloud of glory moved, God’s people would move. But when the cloud stopped, they would set up camp (Exod 40:36-38; Num 9:15-23). And the cloud would rest in the center of the camp above the tabernacle—the holy tent of meeting. For inside the tabernacle was the ark of the covenant where God himself would dwell amidst his people (Exod 26:1-33). Thus, Israel had a visible reminder that God was with them in the barren places.
For us today, we have a different reminder: God’s Holy Spirit who teaches us God’s Word. In the Scriptures, we look back to the exodus to see the God who saved us from our sin. We look back to the wilderness to remember God’s presence with us even in the barren places. We no longer witness a visible cloud of glory above the tabernacle, nor do we possess the ark of the covenant. But now, God’s Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor 6:19-20). He has made his home in the very heart of his people. Though we were once stubborn and rebellious like Israel, needing salvation from our sin, God sent his Son into the world to save us (Rom 5:8). And when Christ died upon that cross, he set the captives free, conquered our enemies, and put a song of praise into our hearts (Jude 5). We seek God in the barren places because our King is on his throne.
Trust God in the Battlefield Places (vv. 11-18)
From the barren places, the ark of the covenant moves across the battlefield (Ps 68:7-10). David now refers not only to the Song of Moses, but also to the Song of Deborah after Israel’s victory over Canaan: “LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, even Sinai before the LORD, the God of Israel” (Judg 5:4-5). Like Sinai shook with thunder and lightning, a flood now sweeps away the chariots of Sisera (4:12-16, 21). Then, as God declares his victory, the women spread the good news and divide the spoils of war (Ps 68:11-14). Thus, God remains a mighty King who will bring his people rest (see Judg 5:19, 28-31).
In the north, stands Mount Bashan: “O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever?” (Ps 68:15-16). Bashan is one of the tallest mountains in Israel with its many rugged peaks.[1] So it looks down, in elevation, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. It sneers with pride that God chose such a tiny hill to be his home: What makes Jerusalem special? Why should Zion be God’s dwelling place? David knows it’s not that Jerusalem is great or mighty, but because they are small that God has chosen them (Deut 7:6-11; Isa 66:1-2). For you cannot tell the God of the universe where he must live. He will choose the weak to shame the strong and the foolish to shame the wise, so that he receives all glory (see 1 Cor 1:26-31). Thus, as the ark arrives in Jerusalem, Yahweh makes his triumphal entrance: “The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary” (Ps 68:17). Everything significant about Sinai is now transferred to Mount Zion: the sovereignty of God, his majesty and greatness, the severity of his law, the promises of his covenant, the worship of his people. All this is Sinai in the sanctuary.
Then, David declares of God: “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” (v. 18). These are the spoils of war which Israel seizes from its captives. Yet Paul will later use this verse to describe the ascension of our risen King: “Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men’” (Eph 4:7-8). Paul reveals, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ is the LORD God dwelling with his people. For at the cross, Jesus triumphs over sin and over Satan—over this present world and every earthly power—over the judgment to come and death itself. As Christ ascends on high with captives in his train, we realize it is we who are those captives—the former enemies of Christ enslaved to sin. And yet, Christ conquered us in the battle for our hearts. Instead of death as we deserved, God pardoned our treachery and adopted us as children. He gave us grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Thus, Paul envisions the victory of the church in this ancient psalm of David. For as Christ our King ascends on high, he turns former slaves into a host of worshipers (2 Cor 2:14; Col 2:15). As Jesus is exalted, he distributes spiritual gifts to all who follow him. And this good news must spread to every corner of the earth (Acts 1:8). The church proclaims Christ’s victory to every captive audience (1 Cor 15:57). For one day, Christ will return “to be glorified in his saints” (2 Thess 1:10). He will shake the earth again, and “also the heavens” (Heb 12:26). And on that final day, we shall live with him in glory. For the King is on his throne like Sinai in the sanctuary.
Worship God in the Heavenly Places (vv. 19-35)
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death” (Ps 68:19-20). God daily bears our burdens as our King who cares (1 Pet 5:7). And because he saved us, he will graciously give us other good gifts as well (Rom 8:32). He will strike our enemies who arrogantly walk in sin (Ps 68:21). He will rescue his people from the proud heights of Bashan to the watery depths of the sea (v. 22). Then, with gruesome imagery, David declares the Lord to be our Mighty Savior (v. 23).
And the people rejoice: “Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines (vv. 24-25).[2] A train of worshipers escorts the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, and together they sing: “‘Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel’s fountain!’ There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali” (vv. 26-27). Two southern tribes, the clans of kings, and two northern tribes, Zebulun and Naphtali, encapsulate the nation. All Israel sings and dances as they bring the ark to Zion.
Then, David prays: “Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you” (vv. 28-29). The nations bring tribute out of wonder for God’s glory, but God rebukes them for their bloodlust and scatters those who delight in war (v. 30). Yet even as he conquers them, he draws them to himself: “Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God” (v. 31). God displays his power in Zion so that the Gentiles might be saved: “O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice” (vv. 32-33; see Zech 2:10-13). So, David commands the nations to sing: “Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!” (Ps 68:34-35). This is God’s pattern of salvation: He chooses his people, rescues them from slavery, restores them to the place of blessing, then turns them outward to reach the nations. And this Great Commission is true for us as well, for our God remains a missionary God. He rescues us from our slavery to sin and turns former enemies into worshipers. Then, he gives us spiritual gifts to strengthen his church as we call others to worship him as King.
Consider Three Words of Application:
First, remember God’s goodness to save you from your sin, to guide you in the wilderness, and to rescue you from enemies. Recall your testimony. Write it down. Speak of it with fellow believers. Consider how God is still working in your life today. And if you don’t know him personally, he invites you to know him. First, remember what God has done.
Second, worship Christ, the Son of God, as he takes his rightful place as King. Worship Christ when you sing him praises, when he displays his justice, and when you witness his awesome power. Worship Christ when you consider all that he has done for you.
Third, “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). Spread the good news of your victory in Christ. Declare what he has done. Invite others to worship Christ as you share the gospel with every captive audience. As Jesus told his disciples before ascending to his throne in heaven, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:18-19a). Here is the whole of the Christian life: Remember; Worship; and Proclaim!
Life Application Study:
- David refers to Israel’s history as his basis for trusting God (Num 10:35-36; Exod 15; Judg 5)? How does all this point forward to the believer’s victory of Christ (Eph 4:7-16)?
- What barren places are in your life today? What battlefields bring you fear? Read Psalm 68 and picture the Lord’s royal processional to re-take his throne.
- Memorize Psalm 68:19 and rest daily in the God who cares for you (Matt 11:28-30; 1 Pet 5:7).
- Praise God according to his many names in Psalm 68:
- Yah or Yahweh – Our personal covenant-keeping God
- El or Elohim – Our God of strength and power
- Adonai – Our sovereign King
- Shaddai – Our mighty God
- The Rider through the desert and the sky, the mountain and the sea
- Father of the fatherless and Protector of widows
- Pray Psalm 68 back to God:
- O God, rescue us from our enemies and reign as King (vv. 1-3).
- Help us in the barren places when we need your help (vv. 4-6).
- Lead us out of slavery so that we might trust in you (vv. 7-18).
- Bring justice to the wicked and take your rightful throne (vv. 19-27).
- Then, may you be worshiped, O Lord, among the nations (vv. 28-35).
[1] The peaks of the Bashan mountain range rise 9,000 feet above sea level, while Zion only pokes out a few hundred feet above the valley floor.
[2] This “procession” (halakah) recalls how David “went” (halak) and “brought up” (allah) the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:12-19).
