PSALM 68 - A Song of Victory and Celebration

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 68, 1 Samuel 4-6, Exodus 37-40

This Psalm of David was written during a celebration procession, when David was bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. There is a lot of praise for the provision and protection that God gives His people.

David was a man "after God's own heart" whose greatest desire was to serve as king over God's people, as God desired of him. That doesn't mean he was perfect. We know he made lots of mistakes and he failed, but in those times we saw how he came back to God and aligned himself with His will. This was one of those times.

In David's day, the central place of worship was the `tabernacle', with the centre being the Ark of the Covenant, for this was where where God's glory and presence was believed to dwell. Under Saul's reign, this emphasis of worship had been neglected, and the Ark of the Covenant had been carted off by their enemies. It had been "left to gather dust for 30 years in the house of a priest", but was no longer cherished by the Israelites.

The Ark of the Covenant had been so important to their ancestors, the Lord had given Moses specific directions on how it was to be built and carried. Everywhere the Ark went with God's people's, God's present rested. When David too over the throne, David realized the Ark of the Covenant was not in it's rightful place - with God's people in Jerusalem. There was no central place for worship and the Israelite's heart for God and their spiritual walk had dwindled.

As David writes this psalm he is encouraging his people by reminiscing about the past and giving them hope for the future. He is giving them a choice - to continue in the way Saul had been living, in fear of God; or they could live as God wanted them to, "in joy, rather than despair."

Here David is rejoicing and celebrating in victory the return of the Ark to Jerusalem, with the sound of music and praises. The delight of obedience beating in his heart. But it wasn't always that way!

HISTORY - Read 2 Samuel 6,   1 Chronicles 13&15, Exodus 25:12-14. 

The Ark of the Covenant was not just any piece of furniture, it was absolutely holy, and God had given careful instructions about how it should be carried. He also said it should only be carried by Levites and the poles were to be held on their shoulders. But this is where David got `a little bit lazy'.
In his exuberance, he wanted it to get to Jerusalem quickly and the easiest way he knew how.

They had gathered near the home of the priest Abinadab. His two sons Ahia and Uzzah are put in charge of the Ark's transport - 'ON A HORSE DRAWN WAGON'. Trumpets blast, songs erupt and all goes well; for the first couple of miles. Then the road gets a little rough; the oxen stumble, the wagon shakes and the Ark shifts. Uzzah extends out his hand to steady it - and 'HE DIES'.

Why did he die? It seemed like the right thing to do - it was practical after all. He was just stopping the Ark from falling and maybe even breaking. But think, if they had been carrying it the way God commanded in the first place, maybe it wouldn't have fallen. You see, Uzzah knew the law. He was a priest, a descendent of Aaron, and the Ark and been in the house of his father all his life. He had grown up with it. Yet maybe he had `adopted David's no care attitude': "We need to get it down there. Who cares how we do it, as long as it is done." Could this be what had made God angry? Could it had been his disobedience? Could it have been that Uzzah, having been around the ark so long, had simply forgotten the holiness that it represented, `becoming too familiar with an irreverent attitude'. Or simply, Uzzah felt it was `his responsibility' to save the Ark, rather than putting his faith in God.

And what about David, standing by the corpse, angry at God, and maybe a little angry at himself? Maybe he was feeling a little unworthy, a little guilty for letting the Lord down. Is this how we feel when we do things how way, rather than God's? Deeply distressed, David returned to Jerusalem, leaving the Ark in the home of Obed-Edom. He was receiving all the blessing of God's presence, while David sought the Lord's grace and His will, and while his people continued to suffered.

Three months later, David called on the priests, and this time, they would follow the Lord's directions.

"They used special poles to carry the Ark of God on the shoulders as Moses had commanded, JUST AS THE LORD SAID THEY SHOULD." 1 Chronicles 15:14-15 (NIV)

This time they didn't hurry. They stopped for sacrifices and worship along the way. They had the presence of God with them, and this was the reason for David's celebration. When we begin to care about the things God cares about, we become people, like David, `after God's own heart'. Finally, the Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem, and what is David doing?

"David was dancing before the Lord with all His might and David was wearing a linen ephod. David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the Ark and shouting with the sound of a trumpet."  2 Samuel 5:14-16 (NIV)

Why are they so happy and excited? Because they are rejoicing before God in OBEDIENCE. What more could they want? When you receive GOD'S GRACE, you are free to CELEBRATE and the more confident you are in GOD'S PRESENCE, as a `man or woman after God's heart', the more you want to sing His praises.

Lucado, Max, 2006, "Facing Your Giants", Thomas Nelson
Swindoll, Charles, 1997, "Great Lives: David, A Man of Passion & Destiny", Thomas Nelson
Got Questions, 2018, "Why did God strike Uzzah dead for Touching the Ark of the Covenant."

SALVATION & VICTORY - Read Psalm 1-14

"God, go before us, and take care of our enemies. It's too dangerous ahead without you. The spirit of confident dependence is appropriate for every believer." David Guzik, 2018

David wanted the people to begin their worship by extolling God. He had taken care of them in the past by giving them victory over their enemies; and he has been their Saviour and Protector when he first brought their families out of Egypt, through the wilderness into the land which they now possess - Jerusalem.

"The most oppressed in Egypt were chained and imprisoned, but the Divine Emancipator brought them forth into perfect liberty. He who did this of old continues His gracious work." Charles Spurgeon.

In Verses 7-1, David reminds his people how God had been with their ancestors in the wilderness and provided for their needs. As God was with the Israelites in the wilderness, HIS MIGHT was on their side. No other nation could defeat them when they walked in God's presence. They were also PROVIDED FOR, never suffering hunger or thirst.

"As part of their provision God sent them plentiful rain in their needy time. This care for them confirmed the special place Israel had in His heart and plan. THEY WERE HIS INHERITANCE." David Guzik, 2018

In the next verses, 11-14, David remembers God's protection in battle. The people of God had come from humble circumstances, yet they shared in David's victories. He is a God of salvation and "His victory is total"! What more could they be glad about.

"May the righteous be glad and rejoice before the Lord. May they be happy and joyful." 
                                                                                                     Psalm 68:3 (NIV)


FUTURE BLESSINGS - Read Psalm 68:15-23

The Lord did not choose any mountain to `set his people upon'; it was one of the greatest mountains. They were to be a people who would be feared and honoured.

Bashan was an impressive mountain, part of Israel's heritage. Yet God favoured Mt Zion. Ancient Israel never had many chariots but God always protected them in battle, and fought for them. God has power greater than a million chariots, and he often chooses the weak to confound the strong.

The Lord daily blesses His people, and He will continue to give us salvation and victory!

"What a glorious God! HE GIVES US SALVATION over and over, then daily He carries our burdens. Our God is a mighty God who SAVES US OVER AND OVER."  Psalm 68:19 (TPT)


THE CELEBRATION OF GRACE - Read Psalm 68:24-27

The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem was not David's parade, but God's procession - all the honour went to Him.

"As the Ark, the throne of the invisible God leads the procession up to its resting place, it's progress is a VICTORY MARCH completing the exodus." (Kidner)

The small tribe of Benjamin had a prominent role, showing wonderful grace on David's part, as this was the tribe Saul had belonged to. 

"God's people have seen your VICTORY MARCH; God, my King, marched into the Holy Place."
                                                                                           Psalm 68:24 (NIV)


A PRAYER FOR GOD'S CONTINUED GUIDANCE - Read Psalm 68:28-35

David was grateful for his victories but he knew there would be challenges ahead. He prayed for strength, as these victories would be a great FOUNDATION for the future. David was confident that with God's presence in their midst, he and his people would survive and thrive.

"Give it up for God, for HE ALONE HAS ALL STRENGTH and power! Proclaim His majesty! For His glory shines down on Israel. His mighty strength soars in the clouds of glory. God, we are consumed with awe, trembling before you as your glory streams from your Holy Place. The God of power SHARES HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH with Israel and with all His people. GOD! WE GIVE OUR HIGHEST PRAISE TO YOU."   Psalm 68:34&35  (TPT)


CONCLUSION

With the Ark of the Covenant safely in Jerusalem, and it is now again their central place of worship.  David and his people were now celebrating their victory. With their highest praises they looked forward to a promising future, with David as their king and God as their Sovereign.

Do you want to be free to celebrate your victories like David and the Israelites? Then remember that God is Sovereign is of your life, become a `man or woman after God's heart', be obedient to His will, and make sure His presence is abiding in your home, your work and your life.

The Holy Bible, New International Bible, 2011, Biblica.
The Passion Translation, 2017, Passion & Fire Ministries. 

Guzik, David, 2018, "The Victorious Procession of God to Zion.", Enduring Word

PSALM 67 - GOD'S GRACE, HIS SALVATION & HIS PRAISES

GOD'S GRACE, HIS SALVATION & HIS PRAISES - Read Psalm 67

This is a Psalm of David written for the Chief Musician, who in a Spiritual sense could be God Himself. In a practical sense it was for the leaders of David's choirs, Hemor and Asaph. Beginning with the Aaronic Blessing, it was pronounced by the High Priests on the people of Israel. This blessing - GOD'S GRACE - is also for us today.

"The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

To 'BLESS AND KEEP YOU', simply means to watch over you and give you the good things you need. 'BEING GRACIOUS' means to be `kind' and forgiving when 'you don't have to be' or don't feel like it. When 'GOD MAKES HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU', He is gracious and blessed. He is happy, `with a big smile on His face'. (Gordon Churchyard, 2001)

But this graciousness and blessedness did not stay with the Israelites, it went out to the whole world, along with His goodness through SALVATION, which is also available to us today. David knew God's mercy and grace, and he wanted all His people to know it. As Max Lucado reminds us: "His grace erases guilt, His oversight removes fear, His direction removes confusion."

"Next time your day goes South, here is what you do. Step yourself into the grace of God. Saturate your day in His love. Marinate your mind in His mercy." Max Lucado, 2006. 

David had even a bigger vision - He wanted God glorious, happy face to shine all over the world, and he wanted the PRAISES OF THE LORD to be heard.

"There is something wonderful about a lot of people praising God, and our walk with God is incomplete until we are praising Him." David Guzik, 2018

What does real joy mean? It is a happiness you feel deep, down inside. God does many things that show His power and this inner joy leads to an "inner awe - a good sort of fear of God" (Gordon Churchyard, 2001) All nations should sing with this inner joy and awe, and this should make us even more excited and determined to live in God's grace and to tell others about His salvation - "more passionate about spreading the Gospel". (David Guzik, 2018)

"May the people praise you, O Lord. May all the people praise you." Psalm 67:3&5  (NIV)

This psalm was written in harvest time, probably for the Harvest Festival. The abundance of their harvest, their food and also their children and families was another reason the Israelites had for praising the Lord. It is also another reason we can continue with our praises.

"God created us to experience HIS GRACE and  HIS SALVATION and to consequently enjoy HIS PRAISE. When we do this, the earth itself is happy because people are doing what God created it to do. BLESSING IS THE RESULT!" David Guzik, 2018


The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblica

Churchyard, Gordon, 2001,"Psalm 67 - The Whole World for Jesus", www.easyenglishbible. 

Guzik, David, 2018, "A Missionary Prayer", www.blueletterbible.

Lucado, Max, 2006, "Everyday Deserves a Chance", Thomas Nelson Inc.