[225]. A Message From A Poem - Psalm 68 Selections

[225]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PSALM 68 SELECTIONS

This poem is a breakdown in Psalm 68, and 12 of the verses have been selected. The heading in the Psalm says “A Psalm of David. A Song,” and is directed to the Choir Director.

It would seem this Psalm resulted from a victory David experienced. There are several hints to that in this Psalm including this one – {{Psalm 68:14 “When the Almighty scattered the kings there, it was snowing in Zalmon.”}}

It seems a happy Psalm with no prayer and a lot of positives of what God has done for His people.

One verse is a prophetic one and I devoted a stanza to that. Here is that verse, the most significant from this Psalm – {{Psalm 68:18 “You have ascended on high. You have led captive Your captives. You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there.”}}

That has been explained more fully by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament – {{Ephesians 4:7-10 To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)}}

In that passage Paul is concentrating on the gifts God has given to His Church people and uses this verse to support that. Of course there is a greater meaning to the verse and it connects with the ascension of Christ. When Christ ascended into heaven after 40 days with His disciples, He took with them all those who were detained in Paradise.

Hell was in two divisions until the ascension, Paradise and what was called Hell. Remember the story Jesus gave in Luke 16:19-31 of Lazarus and the rich man. (It is not a parable for names are not given in parables). The righteous ones in Paradise could not enter heaven because the atoning sacrifice had not yet happened, but on Golgotha’s Hill it did. They were now fit for heaven, and at the Ascension, Jesus took them with Him.

There is so much in this Psalm but I took only a small portion of it.

Back in 1997 I was sometimes a little loose on the rhyming and one line here shows that. I soon became very strict about metre and rhyme in the next year or so.

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PSALM 68 SELECTIONS

Verses 1/2

Let God arise, His enemies be scattered.

Let them be as wax before the fire melted.

And those who hate Him, let them flee before Him.

Drive them along, as wispy smoke is driven.

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Verses 2/3/4

In the sight of God the wicked will perish.

The righteous exalt their God whom they cherish.

Their voices rejoice and exclaim with gladness.

Through praises they sing - with God is no sadness.

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Verses 5/6

Prisoners to prosperity, their hopes well.

The rebellious only, in a parched land dwell.

Father of the fatherless, their cause He pleads;

Judge for the widows, along the pathway leads.

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Verse 13

Silver-covered wings of beauty dress the Dove.

Gold-glistening pinions send flashes from above.

When You lie down to guard among the sheepfolds,

The sheep are safely held within Your strongholds.

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Verse 18

Ascended on high from the temporary grave,

Then You received gifts; from among men they gave.

You hast led the captives in captivity.

Now they rest in freedom for eternity.

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Verses 19/20

The Lord be blessed who daily bears our burden.

Deliverance of God to us is proven.

To God, the Lord, belong all escapes from death.

God, our salvation, sustains our very breath.

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Verses 34/35

Ascribe strength to God - His power is in the skies.

His majesty sublime over Israel lies.

An awesome God in His sanctuary dwells.

Gives power and strength, and His people enables.

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End of June. End of July, 1997 R E Ferguson 11-11-11-11 NASB used