Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.

21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

MEMORY VERSE: Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men. —Psalm 68:18

CENTRAL THOUGHT: By Christ rising triumphant from death and the grave and ascending up on high to the right hand of God, He conquered the power of Satan and sin that held us captive and was given authority to receive and distribute the gifts of the Holy Spirit to whomsoever He will.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Psalm 68:6 “God setteth the solitary in families”: from the Hebrew, “God makes the lonely dwell at home.”

Psalm 68:11 from the Hebrew, “The Lord gave the word: the bearers of it were a great army.”

Psalm 68:17 “Chariots”: something to ride on. It could be a vehicle or an animal. Revelation 19:11-16 pictures Christ and His Church as a cavalry on white horses, which denotes perfect holiness and Holy Spirit power.

Psalm 68:18 “Led captivity captive”: a clear prophecy of Christ conquering and subduing the power of Satan and sin that had the sons of men in woeful bondage. As Jesus said in John 8:34-36, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” “Received gifts for men”: a statement that Christ, because of His obedience to God in suffering the death of the cross was not only given the power to ascend upon high, but was counted worthy to be able to pour out the Holy Spirit upon His people and bestow spiritual powers and abilities for the various offices and positions in His Kingdom. “Yea, for the rebellious also”: from the Hebrew, “And also the rebellious to dwell among, O Jehovah God.” This is a direct prophecy of Christ coming down to inhabit a human body and live among sinful humanity.

Psalm 68:19 The Hebrew reads, “Blessed be the Lord, day by day He bears burdens for us, the God of our salvation.”

Psalm 68:20 The Hebrew reads, “The issues from death” or “the exit for death.” This refers to deliverance from death and the grave which was given to Christ because of His obedience to the death of the cross.

Psalm 68:21 The Hebrew reads, “Yea, God will crush the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks on in his guilt.”

Psalm 68:34 “Ascribe”: to give, bestow, impute, assign and regard as belonging to and being worthy of. The Hebrew says, “Ascribe strength to God over Israel; His majesty and His strength in the skies.” The skies refer to the heavens and the realm of the Spirit to which Christ ascended.

Psalm 68:35 “Terrible”: awesome; to be revered and held in holy fear and regard.

LESSON BACKGROUND

The 68th Psalm is a glorious Psalm written by David under the great influence of the Holy Spirit. Adam Clarke confessed that he did not know how to comment on it. He said there were things in it beyond his understanding and power to explain, yet of the composition itself he had the highest opinion; that it was sublime beyond all comparison, and that it would take no small influence of the Holy Spirit that was upon David to give its true interpretation.

Personally, I stand in awe at this Psalm. It is fascinating and overwhelming. It glows with truth so spiritual and divine that it captures my deepest admiration and joy. It comes forth in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in waves of glory and light. Paul used the 18th verse in bringing forth the truth of the various gifts and functions in the Church, the Body of Christ, in Ephesians 4:7-16. It is truly a masterpiece of spiritual art and beauty. We have not space to include the complete text, and we leave it to each Bible student to take the liberty and time to pursue the deep truths contained therein.

—Bro. Leslie Busbee

DISCUSSION:

1. What will happen to those who persist to continue in sin?
2. What was the Word of which the bearers were a great army?
3. What did Christ accomplish and gain in ascending upon high?
4. What were the gifts He received to bestow upon men?
5. Why did God want Christ to dwell among the rebellious?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

God manifested His power through Moses to Israel on Sinai. He manifested His power to David in bringing the ark back from the fields of the wood to its rightful place in the tabernacle. And God manifested His power in the dedication of Solomon’s temple. But all of these showings of God’s wonder are eclipsed by the great work and accomplishment of Christ in dying for our sins and then being resurrected from the dead and wafted up to the highest heavens in power and glory.

There are various expressions in this Psalm that are full of powerful meaning. Some of these are: “Thy goodness for the poor,” “The Lord gave the word,” “ascended on high,” “led captivity captive,” “gifts for men,” “daily loadeth us,” “the issues from death,” and many others, some of which are not in our lesson text. It shows that God has special favor for the poor and those in trouble and need, such as the fatherless and the widows. Those who are lonely will find in Him a home and safety. The Lord gives His Word to His ministers. He inspires the soul of man with His holy laws and precepts to set forth by preaching and teaching. Great is the company of those who are invested with His precious Word. There is no higher vocation or rewarding work with which one may be occupied than the ministry of the pure doctrine of the Savior.

How glorious was the Lord’s ascension on high! Think of the power that the Father has invested in His holy Son! He has the power to save souls from sin and death. He has the power to do wonders and miracles in the earth. And He is endued with the power and authority to destroy this earth and the heavens and bring the whole world back from their graves to be judged by Him! No one will escape. We would be wise to take heed to the warnings in the gospel to be fully prepared to be accepted of Him in that day.

—Bro. Leslie Busbee

REFLECTIONS

Have you noticed in this Psalm the frequent references to the “rebellious,” the “enemy,” the “wicked,” or the one who “goeth on still in his trespasses?” They would be scattered, or flee, or melt away, or perish, in contrast to the righteous, who would rejoice.

However, do you see the ray of hope offered by Christ, even to the rebellious? In the descriptive language of military conquest, the Psalmist foretells how Christ would take captive the power that held the rebellious person captive! He would subdue the opposition; yes, even that opposition that holds a man captive even against his own best interests and his will. He would rob the “strong man” of the armor in which he had trusted to protect him. He, the “stronger man,” would cast out the unclean spirit, the rebellious spirit, the infirm spirit; and return the oppressed man to his rightful mind. Then he would take that man who had been ruled by passion, pride, fear, or anger and give special gifts to him so that the life which had been pent-up and imprisoned could now be free and overflowing, a blessing and a benefit to all around him.

I’m reminded of J. W. Van Deventer, the author of the hymn, “I Surrender All.” He wrote: “The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio. For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing” (From an account cited by hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck).

—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck