Psalm 68 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 68 Short Summary:

Psalm 68 is a psalm of David in which He praises God for His power and His care for the helpless (orphans, widows, etc.). David recalls God’s care for the Israelites when they travelled through the wilderness and the great display of God’s power seen at Mount Sinai. He speaks of a procession of worship, made up of the tribes of Israel and foreign dignitaries who honor the Lord. Paul quotes from Psalm 68:14 in Ephesians 4:8.

Psalm 68 Summary

AUTHOR:

• David wrote Psalm 68.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• Ephesians 4:8

THEMES:

• God’s enemies will be scattered like smoke.

• God cares for the helpless (orphans, widows, etc.).

• God is worthy of the praise of all the nations.

DEFINITIONS:

• Sinai (68:8) – Sinai was a mountain visited by the Israelites when they left Egyptian slavery. God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai and gave him the 10 commandments and His law for the nation of Israel.

• Mount Zalmon (68:14) – A small peak near the city of Shechem. Zalmon is very close to Mount Ebal.

• Bashan (68:15) – A region in the northern part of the of the Promised Land. It fell within the territory of the Tribe of Manasseh east of the Sea of Galilee.  

OUTLINE:

• GOD SCATTERS THE ENEMIES (68:1-3):

  • God’s enemies stand no chance against Him. They are blown away like smoke and flee like melting wax before a flame.

  • The wicked will perish but the righteous will find joy in God’s salvation.

• GOD LEADS THE HELPLESS THROUGH THE DESERT (68:4-10):

  • The text presents an image of God leading helpless people through a desert of despair.

  • God is helper of the helpless. He gives homes to those without families, He advocates for the orphans, He gives freedom to those unjustly imprisoned, and He protects the widows.

  • One great example of God’s care for the weak is His care for the nation of Israel when they wandered in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.

  • The psalmist reminded his countrymen how God cared for their ancestors in the wilderness and of God’s great power displayed at Mount Sinai.

• GOD ACHIEVES THE VICTORY AND HIS PEOPLE BENEFIT (68:11-14):

  • Next, the psalmist speaks of a great victory, a victory that God won for His people.

  • Women announced the victory in the streets and divided the spoils of war.

  • Two pictures are presented in connection to this victory, (1) a dove covered with gold and silver and (2) snow falling on Mount Zalmon, but it is difficult to say what the original author wanted to communicate by using these pictures. There is a large diversity of opinions on the proper interpretation, and it is a challenging text.

• THE MOUNTAIN OF BASHAN (68:15-23):

  • The psalmist described a mountain in Bashan that was envious of God’s mountain (probably referring to Mount Zion, on which Jerusalem was built).

  • The mountain in Bashan may have been greater, but God did not need its greatness to protect His people, because He had chariots numbering “twice ten thousand, thousands up on thousands” (68:17).

  • God “ascended on high” and took His enemies captive.

  • God was Israel’s salvation, and His power gave them victory over their enemies.

• A PROCESSION OF WORSHIP (68:24-35):

  • A procession is described, a procession of worship. Singers and musicians performed songs of blessing to God.

  • Several of the tribes of Israel are specifically mentioned as participating in the procession. Verse 27 reads, “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.”

  • God’s power would be known throughout the earth and foreign dignitaries would honor Him.

  • The psalm ends with a call for all nations to worship the mighty God of Israel.

  • “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. Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies” (68:32-34).

APPLICATION:

• Jesus’ work is seen in Psalm 68 in several ways.

• Jesus won the victory for us, defeating the devil and sin so we could enjoy the benefit. The battle wasn’t won by our strength, but we receive the blessing (compare with Psalm 68:11-13).

• A second way Jesus’ work is pictured in Psalm 68 is found in verse 18. Paul quotes this verse in Ephesians 4:8.

• “Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men” (Eph 4:8).

• Jesus ascended to heaven after taking captive what once took men captive (Satan, death, and sin). Jesus conquered those things by His death and resurrection, and we receive the blessing from His victory.