Psalm 68 is a long psalm which gives us a wide range of praise experiences. Through it we sense David’s conflicts and challenges, are drawn into some of the many reasons to praise God in the midst of opposition, and get a glimpse of our ascended Lord Jesus and his victory.
Read More power, God’s compassion, praiseEthan focuses on God’s faithful love to David and his people. His vision is of God’s eternal covenant with his Church finally established through the Messiah, Jesus Christ (vv 1,2).
What deep confidence we can experience, knowing this God of love and faithfulness.
Read More praise, God’s faithfulness, infinite/Personal GodOne of the characteristics of a Spirit filled congregation is joyful thanksgiving and praise. Sometimes one hears the idea expressed “I come to church to hear the message – the rest is just preliminary.” Yes, but Psalm 100 instructs us to prepare our hearts and minds by “entering his gates” and his courts with thanksgiving and praise.
Read More praise, joy, thanksgiving
David commits himself (“I will—”) before the Lord to a full range of obedient practices. These cover:
His attitude to praising God (v 1)
Living blamelessly (v 2) …
Sometimes we miss God’s big picture. This psalm helps us see God in his covenant grace forming and guiding Israel for nearly 600 years from Abraham to Moses.
Read More big-picture, remembering, covenant, God’s faithfulnessBeing homeless is a great challenge! King David felt strongly that he should build a temple home for God in which his Spirit could dwell. This psalm was possibly written by King Solomon after he dedicated the temple having overseen its construction.
Read More Temple, ark, God’s throneDavid knew God in an intimate way. He had learned to trust him in every area of his life (v 1). Our God is an active Father who is fully in touch with each one of his children. He is totally trustworthy. He will never let us down (v 3). His involvement with us is deeply personal.
Read More trust, forgiveness, humility, teachablenessAs a father, a high school teacher, a sports coach or a preacher I often spoke – but only sometimes with results. But when God speaks things always happen! David writes here of some of the effects of God’s voice. The “voice of the Lord” is repeated over and over in this psalm!
Read More word, Creator, sustainer