Will God eventually arise to bring joy and peace to the whole world? Whose side are we on? Let’s look at Psalm 68.
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. (WEB)
When God arises will the righteous be glad, rejoice, sing praises and celebrate?
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, And let those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish before God. But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; And let them rejoice with gladness. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is Yah, and exult before Him. (Ps 68:1-4 LSB)
What does God do for the rejected of society, the fatherless, widows, the lonely, and prisoners?
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy dwelling. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious live in parched lands. God, when You went forth before Your people, When You marched through the desert, Selah (Ps 68:5-7 NASB)
Has God consistently provided for his people, as the Exodus reveals?
the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. (Ps 68:8-10 NIV)
When God cleans the house of even great enemies, is what remains as pure as snow on a hill?
The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it: “Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home divides the spoil. Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold.” When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Zalmon [a forested hill 70 km north of Jerusalem]. (Ps 68:11-14 NKJV)
Are even majestic mountains less impressive than Zion, because the Lord will live there?
The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky. Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever? (Ps 68:15-16 NLT)
How much greater than all our armies are God’s angelic armies? Did they lead Israel from Egyptian slavery to freedom?
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary. You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among people, yes, among the rebellious also, that Yah God might dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah. (Ps 68:17-19 WEB)
Is an even greater Exodus still going on, a battle for the souls of nations?
Our God is the God of salvation, and escape from certain death comes through God my Lord. Yes, God will shatter the heads of his enemies—the very skulls of those who walk in guilt. My Lord has spoken: “From Bashan I will bring those people back. I will bring them back from the ocean’s depths so that you can wash your feet in their blood, so that your dogs’ tongues can lap up their share of your enemies.” (Ps 68:20-23 CEB)
The Temple is no longer the place of worship, so where are those exiting a world of sin heading to?
We have seen crowds marching to your place of worship, our God and King. Singers come first, and then the musicians, surrounded by young women playing tambourines. They come shouting, “People of Israel, praise the Lord God!” The small tribe of Benjamin leads the way, followed by the leaders from Judah. Then come the leaders from Zebulun and Naphtali. (Ps 68:24-27 CEV)
In the new heavens and new earth will there again be a temple in Jerusalem?
Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. (Ps 68:28-29 ESV)
Will the rich and the warmongers be rebuked? Will former enemies come to God and nations worldwide praise Him?
Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war. Ambassadors will come from Egypt; Cush will stretch out its hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praise to the Lord, Selah (Ps 68:30-32 HCSB)
Will all nations realize that the God of Israel is the one true God, who gives strength and power?
to the one who rides the heavens, the ancient heavens. Behold! He thunders with a mighty voice. Ascribe power to God, whose glory is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, God, from your sanctuaries. The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God! (Ps 68:33-35 ISV)
Did Paul quote this Psalm revealing Jesus’ intention as He ascended into heaven?
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Eph 4:8 KJV)
Will God eventually arise to bring joy and peace to the whole world? Whose side are we on? You decide!
