WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.340 It's a long one. 00:00:01.740 --> 00:00:02.940 Yeah, it is a long one. 00:00:03.879 --> 00:00:05.060 It's longer than usual. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:12.880 And it's considered one of the most difficult psalms to interpret in the Bible. 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:18.240 We'll give it our shot. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:19.359 Psalm 68. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:22.379 I'll read it out loud for us. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:26.600 God shall arise. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:28.940 His enemies shall be scattered. 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:31.339 And those who hate him shall flee before him. 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:35.100 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:39.719 As wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God. 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:42.200 But the righteous shall be glad. 00:00:42.299 --> 00:00:43.799 They shall exalt before God. 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:45.340 They shall be jubilant with joy. 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:47.140 Sing to God. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:48.740 Sing praises to his name. 00:00:49.120 --> 00:00:52.320 Lift up a song to him who rise through the deserts. 00:00:52.680 --> 00:00:54.320 His name is the Lord. 00:00:55.020 --> 00:00:56.140 Exalt before him. 00:00:56.620 --> 00:00:58.340 Father of the fatherless. 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:00.080 And protector of widows. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:02.520 Is God in his holy habitation. 00:01:03.620 --> 00:01:05.659 God settles the solitary in a home. 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:08.359 He leads out the prisoners to prosperity. 00:01:08.820 --> 00:01:10.980 But the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 00:01:10.980 --> 00:01:14.160 O God, when you went out before your people. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:16.040 When you marched through the wilderness. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:17.219 The earth quaked. 00:01:17.320 --> 00:01:18.820 The heavens poured down rain. 00:01:19.240 --> 00:01:19.640 Selah. 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:22.579 Before God, the one of Sinai. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:24.280 Before God, the God of Israel. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:27.200 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.680 You restored your inheritance as it languished. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:32.900 Your flock found the dwelling in it. 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:36.280 In your goodness, O God, you provide it for the needy. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:39.080 The Lord gives the word. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:42.160 The women who announce the news are a great host. 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:44.360 The kings of the armies, they flee. 00:01:44.620 --> 00:01:45.180 They flee. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:47.840 The women at home divide the spoil. 00:01:48.320 --> 00:01:49.980 Though you men lie among the sheepfold. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:52.740 The wings of a dove covered with silver. 00:01:52.860 --> 00:01:54.280 Its pinions with shimmering gold. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:58.560 When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalman. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:02.240 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:05.159 O many-peak mountain, mountain of Bashan. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:08.740 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peak mountain, 00:02:08.860 --> 00:02:11.140 at the mount that God desired for his abode? 00:02:11.599 --> 00:02:13.680 Yes, where the Lord will dwell forever. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:18.280 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:19.719 The Lord is among them. 00:02:19.860 --> 00:02:21.400 Sinai is now in the sanctuary. 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:25.560 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train, 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:30.840 and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious that the Lord God made while there. 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:35.240 Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up. 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:37.219 God is our salvation. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:37.979 Selah. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:44.180 Our God is a God of salvation, and to God the Lord belong deliverances from death. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.939 But God will strike the heads of his enemies, 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:49.819 the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:51.219 The Lord said, 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:52.879 I will bring them back from Bashan. 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:55.599 I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:57.699 that you may strike your feet in their blood, 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:00.659 that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe. 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:03.379 Your procession is seen, O God, 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:06.139 the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:09.039 The singers in front, the musicians last, 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:11.280 between them virgins playing tambourines. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:13.759 Bless God in the great congregation, 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:16.800 the Lord, O you who are of Israel's fountain. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:20.160 There is Benjamin, the least of them in the lead, 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:22.240 the princes of Judah in their throng, 00:03:22.660 --> 00:03:25.080 the princes of Zebelin, the princes of Naphtali. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.400 Summon your power, O God, 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:29.960 the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 00:03:30.260 --> 00:03:31.880 Because of your temple at Jerusalem, 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:33.820 kings shall bear gifts to you. 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:36.820 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:39.100 the herds of bulls with the calves of the peoples. 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:42.120 Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:44.340 Scatter the peoples with delight in war. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:46.640 Nobles shall come from Egypt. 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:49.460 Cush shall hasten to stretch out our hands to God. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.240 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:54.439 sing praises to the Lord, Selah. 00:03:55.380 --> 00:03:58.200 To him who rise in the heavens, the ancient heavens, 00:03:58.320 --> 00:04:01.660 behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:05.780 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, 00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:08.160 and whose power is in the skies. 00:04:08.760 --> 00:04:11.580 Awesome is God from his sanctuary, the God of Israel. 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:14.780 He is the one who gives power and strength to his people. 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:16.600 Blessed be God. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:18.360 Amen. 00:04:19.280 --> 00:04:26.720 So, Psalm 68 is really about the presence of God. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:31.000 And it's really, the main point is that we should worship the God who rises before us, 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.319 rescues among us, and rules over us. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:38.439 And it's those three movements we see, and there's three parts. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:43.839 In verses 1 to 10, it's about how God rises on behalf of his people who are embattled by enemies. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:49.079 And then verses 11 to 23 is about how God rescues those people from their enemies. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:54.959 And then verses 24 to 35 is about how God triumphantly now reigns over his people after that. 00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:59.739 So, it's kind of a three-part movement between the battle to the victory to kind of the celebration, 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:01.000 the procession after the victory. 00:05:02.599 --> 00:05:09.779 And in the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant, which was the gold-covered wooden chest that represented God's footstool, 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:10.439 right? 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:19.339 So, if God dwelt in heaven, the footstool was considered the, God put his feet on it, 00:05:19.739 --> 00:05:21.299 and that was considered the Ark of the Covenant. 00:05:21.919 --> 00:05:25.219 And this was the embodiment of the presence of God. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:30.240 And so, in Numbers 10, 35 to 36, it said that whenever the Ark set out, 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:34.120 Moses said, Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, 00:05:34.440 --> 00:05:36.820 and let those who hate you flee before you. 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:40.900 And that's really the practice that's being alluded to here in verses 1 to 2. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:45.260 Because it says, God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered, right? 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:48.300 And those who hate him shall flee before him, as smoke is driven away, 00:05:48.380 --> 00:05:52.440 so you shall drive them away, as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:58.120 So, it's a picture of God arousing himself into battle, and how he marches before his people. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:01.319 And that's why it says in verse 7, 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:04.600 Oh, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness. 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:08.220 So, God's not pictured here as that cowardly general, right? 00:06:08.459 --> 00:06:11.240 Who hides in a bunker somewhere while his men go out to fight. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:14.680 He's the one that leads before us, goes before us into battle. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:19.720 And when he comes into battle, his enemies are scattered and flee like smoke, 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.760 just driven away as wax melts before the fire. 00:06:22.840 --> 00:06:25.280 So, it's like when you snuff out a fire from a candle, right? 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:28.020 You don't need to try to blow away the smoke. 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:29.180 Just that's what it does. 00:06:29.320 --> 00:06:29.600 That's all. 00:06:29.760 --> 00:06:32.060 It vanishes, it disappears, it flees. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:35.960 In the same way, when God comes into battle, the enemies just flee like smoke. 00:06:36.500 --> 00:06:39.700 In the same way, like wax, though it feels solid and substantive, 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.040 as soon as you bring it before the heat of the fire, 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:43.500 it crumples, right? 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:45.860 It loses its form and shape. 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:49.660 So, the enemies crumple and lose their courage and fail. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:52.420 Their strength failed before the presence of God. 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:52.980 They perish. 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:56.279 But the righteous, on the other hand, he says, 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:58.680 shall be glad, they shall exalt before God, 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.120 they shall be jubilant with joy. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:02.480 So, for that reason, the psalmist, 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.139 it may be David because it says it's the psalm of David, 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:08.980 he tells us to sing praises to God in verse 4. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:12.020 Sing to God, sing praises to his name. 00:07:12.400 --> 00:07:15.439 Lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts. 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:16.780 His name is the Lord. 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:19.220 Exalt before him. 00:07:20.140 --> 00:07:24.939 And this is reminiscent of prophecy in Isaiah 43, 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:25.480 which said, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:28.420 In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord. 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:31.240 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:34.379 So, this is the God who saves people from the desert. 00:07:34.520 --> 00:07:35.920 He brought Israel to the wilderness. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:38.800 In the same way, the Messiah, when he comes, right? 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:41.100 He comes through the wilderness. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.480 And then, verses 5 to 6, 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:45.699 the psalmist provides more reasons to praise him. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:45.980 It says, 00:07:46.140 --> 00:07:48.780 A father of the fatherless and protector of widows 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:51.280 is God in his holy habitation. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:53.939 God settles the solitary in a home. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:56.220 He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:58.960 but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.860 I love this image, right? 00:08:00.879 --> 00:08:02.139 This is one that we're familiar with, 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:05.080 of the God who is the father to the fatherless, right? 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:08.300 He's the benevolent father of his household, his family, 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:11.419 and he protects those who are most vulnerable, right? 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.399 And in the ancient world, 00:08:12.479 --> 00:08:15.779 there is no one more vulnerable than the orphans and the widows, right? 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:18.599 Because they have no recourse to survival, in most cases, 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:20.939 without family members to support them, 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:23.099 and especially without fathers. 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:27.879 But God proves himself to be father to these people. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.680 He's the father to the fatherless. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.840 And over and over again, throughout Scripture, 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:35.620 God shows his special care and attention for the orphans and the widows, 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.419 those who need protection. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.720 And so he says, 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:41.820 God puts the solitary, those who are isolated and lonely, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.060 he settles them in a home. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:46.299 And he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:48.560 but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.080 And not only does God protect the weak, 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:52.299 so he's a protector of the weak, 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:54.879 but he says he's also a provider for the needy. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:56.379 If you look at verses 7 to 10, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:09:21.860 This is an allusion to God's deliverance in Judges 4-5. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:25.560 And then there's obviously a theme here of wilderness. 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:29.300 Early in verse 4, he mentioned God who rides through the deserts. 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:32.539 Now here in verse 7, he speaks about God who marched through the wilderness. 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:38.720 And both images really depict God rising and going before his people into battle in the wilderness. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:42.200 And it's as if he's riding his chariot through the wilderness, 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:45.960 or he's marching in there. 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.680 And this showcases God's power. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:49.779 The fact that he cannot be stopped. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:54.779 Because even though nowadays, you know, people like living in desert regions, 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.899 you know, like, I mean, because it's sunny all the time, right? 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:04.059 But it's, at least in the ancient world, those are not considered inhabitable lands, right? 00:10:04.059 --> 00:10:05.399 Because you need water to survive. 00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:06.539 You need to be able to farm. 00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:07.139 You need rain. 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.199 You need rivers, right? 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:17.440 So it's, and that's the, and here, and it's, but when, even though these are desert lands, wilderness, 00:10:17.820 --> 00:10:21.280 when God goes through it, marches through it, something amazing happens. 00:10:21.400 --> 00:10:23.500 The heavens pour down rain before God. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.480 And the rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:33.940 And this is polemic against the worship of Baal, who was considered by the pagan nations surrounding Israel, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:35.399 the God of rain, right? 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:42.000 So they're saying that, and because the seduction of Baal's cult was huge in Israel, 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.759 because they need, they relied on rain for their daily life. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:48.720 And, but the psalmist here is telling us that it's not Baal who brings rain. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:52.300 It's the Yahweh who can bring rain, even in the wilderness. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:55.740 He is the rider on the clouds, the rider through the desert. 00:10:57.199 --> 00:11:00.319 And then, and so this is a helpful phrase. 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:02.179 He's the protector of the weak. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.279 He's a provider for the needy. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:05.959 He's the one that goes before us into battle. 00:11:06.099 --> 00:11:09.039 He's the one rises before us. 00:11:09.199 --> 00:11:11.399 So if you feel weak right now, right? 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:15.199 If you feel isolated or powerless or vulnerable in any way, 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:18.059 then you can remember that God rises and goes before you. 00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:23.099 That he's, then when he does, his enemies flee like smoke and melt like wax. 00:11:23.959 --> 00:11:27.739 And if you feel needy right now, like you need provision from God, right? 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:34.000 Then you could, then you can recognize whether you need money or, you know, companionship or friendship or comfort. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:37.319 God rises before us and goes before us. 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:40.519 And he's the father to the fatherless and protector of widows. 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:43.399 And he's not, you know, sending us alone. 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:45.639 He's not making a deal with tribulations alone. 00:11:45.699 --> 00:11:46.620 He goes first. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:50.620 He gets gone in before us to protect us and provide for us. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:54.500 Then having painted that picture of the God who rises before us, 00:11:54.600 --> 00:11:56.720 in verses 11 to 23, 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:01.399 Psalmist paints a picture of the God who rescues us in battle victoriously. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:03.919 Verses 11 to 13 says, 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.539 The Lord gives the word. 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:08.059 The woman who announced the news are a great host. 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:10.899 The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee. 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:12.840 The woman at home divide the spoil. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:15.240 Though you men lie among the sheepfolds, 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.959 the wings of a dove covered with silver, 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.699 its pinions with shimmering gold. 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:22.299 As soon as he enters the battle, it's won, right? 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.120 And so they announce, he announces, 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:26.220 the Lord gives the word. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:28.639 And then the woman at home announced the great news, 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.319 spread the word. 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.620 That the kings of the armies, they flee, they flee. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:36.800 And to flee, it's the word that's used to describe birds that flutter away, right? 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:41.340 It's, they flee like these birds that are scared to be trampled on. 00:12:41.900 --> 00:12:44.820 And as a result, the woman at home divide the spoil. 00:12:45.400 --> 00:12:48.379 And then dividing the spoil is compared to the image of 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:50.600 the wings of a dove covered with silver, 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:52.200 its pinions with shimmering gold. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:56.560 A dove is often used in scripture as a symbol for God's people, Israel. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:59.220 So in Psalm 74, 19, it says, 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:03.000 Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts. 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:05.300 Do not forget the life of the poor forever. 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:08.040 It's the dove representing Israel, God's people. 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:12.120 And so here, the dove probably represents Israel, 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:14.420 and the woman who are dividing the spoil. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:18.719 So as the dove, they're, they're, they're, they're, it's, it's kind of like, 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:22.419 like a dove that's gilded, you know, has gold and silver around it. 00:13:22.479 --> 00:13:25.699 Like it's preening to, you know, show, showcase what he has. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:30.360 In a similar way, these women who are dividing the spoils at home are, are, are, are sharing 00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:32.759 and showing the world, this is what we have from our victory. 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:35.580 They're kind of rejoicing, exalting in their victory. 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:40.059 And they're able to do this and rejoice in their victory won from the battle. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:46.000 And not because the men were not there to fight on their behalf, 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.600 because it says that, 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:50.540 that though you men lie among the sheepfolds in verse 13, 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.259 that's an illusion. 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:56.060 That's a similar expression is used in Judges 5, 16. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.600 You guys know the story of Deborah, right? 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:02.899 And Deborah and Barak, the commander of the Israelites army, 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:06.120 they go into battle, they defeat the king of Canaan, Jabin, 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.139 and then Sisera, the commander of the army. 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:11.340 And then they celebrate in song after the victory in Judges 5. 00:14:11.920 --> 00:14:14.399 And, but the tribe of Reuben didn't show up for the battles. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:16.500 And so they say about them, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:19.360 why did you sit still among the sheepfolds 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.740 to hear the whistling for the flocks, right? 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:25.419 So it's not just our generation of men 00:14:25.419 --> 00:14:28.220 that are prone to the idols of passivity and laziness 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:30.139 and irresponsibility and immaturity, right? 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:32.600 I mean, the men of Israel were immature. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:35.820 They weren't, they stayed behind and didn't do anything. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.080 Yet even then, even that's the case, 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.639 God single-handedly saved them, 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:42.220 delivered them so that these women at home 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:43.340 can divide the spoils. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:46.960 And then verse 14 continues, 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:48.639 when the Almighty scatters kings, 00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:50.600 there let snow fall on Zalman. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.700 No one really knows what that means, 00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:55.360 but the Zalman means black. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:58.120 And so there may be a poetic contrast here 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.680 of making something that was black white, right? 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:02.000 So snow falling on Zalman. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:06.139 So that kind of reversal of fortunes 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.860 that God has brought about for his people. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:11.919 And then the psalmist turns his attention 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.940 to two other personified mountains. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.279 First, in verse 15, 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:17.259 he brings attention to the mountain of God, 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:19.039 which is Mount Zion. 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:21.419 And then later, 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:24.100 he addresses mountain of Bashan, 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.120 or Bashan, 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:27.759 which he describes as the many-peaked mountain. 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.300 Bashan was an area known throughout Scripture 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:32.659 for its fertility 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:36.579 and for having these strong bulls, 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.500 fat cows, 00:15:37.839 --> 00:15:38.799 and fierce lions. 00:15:39.719 --> 00:15:40.379 And for that reason, 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:43.599 he came to represent a symbol of power and wealth. 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.659 And so therefore, 00:15:44.839 --> 00:15:47.179 it personifies really the glory and power 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:49.059 of the nations that surround Israel. 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:51.979 But even though they have much to show for themselves, 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:53.599 God didn't choose that mountain 00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:54.659 to do all among them. 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:55.799 So they're jealous. 00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.879 So they are saying, 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.620 so in verse 16, 17, 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:58.899 it says, 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.279 Why do you look with hatred, 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.299 O many-peaked mountain, 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:03.759 at the mount that God desired for his abode? 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:05.939 Yes, where the Lord will dwell forever. 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:08.500 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.839 thousands upon thousands. 00:16:09.979 --> 00:16:11.059 The Lord is among them. 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.759 Sinai is now in the sanctuary. 00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:14.359 So the Sinai, 00:16:14.459 --> 00:16:15.539 where God met Israel, 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.279 revealed himself, 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:18.299 is now thought to be in Mount Zion, 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:20.399 because that's where the presence of God is. 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:22.579 And then, 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:24.079 verses 18 to 19, 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:27.399 described the God's triumphant procession 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.039 after his victory. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:29.659 You ascended on high, 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.539 leading a host of captives in your train, 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.000 and receiving gifts among men, 00:16:33.299 --> 00:16:34.539 even among the rebellious, 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:36.199 that the Lord God may dwell there. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.879 Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up. 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.299 God is our salvation. 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.220 Selah. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.019 And so here, 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:46.860 in verses 20 to 23, 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:50.300 the God's salvation of his people 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:53.139 is contrasted with his striking of his enemies. 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:56.860 And here it says, 00:16:57.300 --> 00:17:01.960 it is the Lord to whom belong deliverances from death. 00:17:02.460 --> 00:17:04.319 That's again a polemic against Baal, 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:07.660 because the Hebrew word for death is mot, 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:11.099 which is also the name of the God, 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.660 basically, 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.960 that was supposed to be chief enemy of Baal. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.259 But he's saying here, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.960 it's not Baal who defeats death, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.920 it's the Lord who delivers from death, 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.279 from mot. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.680 And here, 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:25.379 and he strikes his enemies. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:28.579 The hairy crown probably just represents his head. 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.799 That's, 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.119 you know, 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.720 big-headed, 00:17:30.859 --> 00:17:31.799 boasting like a crown. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.019 And then, 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.799 and the images of, 00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.099 you know, 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.700 striking your feet in their blood, 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.039 right? 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.539 It's, 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:40.680 God brings all those enemies 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.400 who had fled back 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:44.140 so that Israelites, 00:17:44.540 --> 00:17:45.160 his people, 00:17:45.320 --> 00:17:47.580 can exalt in their victory over them 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.880 and strike their feet in their blood. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.080 That image captures that. 00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.880 Tongues of the dogs, 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.960 licking the blood, 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:55.440 that's another image of complete annihilation 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:59.080 and humiliation of the enemies of God. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.360 And so, 00:18:02.040 --> 00:18:03.780 that's the God who is among us 00:18:03.780 --> 00:18:05.000 to rescue us. 00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:05.400 So then, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.740 whatever we're in the midst of, 00:18:06.800 --> 00:18:08.300 whether it's sin or suffering, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.339 we can remember that God's with us 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.980 to help us, 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.879 to rescue us. 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.240 And then, 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.579 the final movement of the psalm, 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:16.799 after describing the victory of the God 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.599 who rescues us, 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:20.359 the psalmist transitions to, 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.779 in verses 24 to 35, 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:24.139 to celebrate the God who rules over us. 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.579 It says, 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:27.000 in verses 24 to 27, 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:29.079 your procession is seen, 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.500 O God, 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.759 the procession of my God, 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.279 my King, 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.539 into the sanctuary. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.099 The singers in front, 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:35.240 the musicians last, 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:37.419 between them virgins playing tambourines. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:39.580 Bless God in the great congregation, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.360 the Lord, 00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:42.480 O you who are of Israel's fountain. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.820 There is Benjamin, 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:45.259 the least of them in the lead, 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:47.000 the princes of Judah in their throng, 00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:48.279 the princes of Zebelin, 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.779 the princes of Naphtali. 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:52.279 But it's not just Israelites. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:54.519 Those tribes represent all of Israel. 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.940 And it's not just the Israelites. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.440 It's also Egypt, 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:01.320 it says in verses 28 to 33. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.920 And the beasts, 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.380 and among the reeds, 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:06.380 those are all symbols 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.480 that are typically used 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.120 in Old Testament about Egypt. 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:11.320 But Egypt as a representation 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:13.440 of foreign powers, right? 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:15.440 And so they also recognize God 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.900 and come to worship Him. 00:19:17.560 --> 00:19:20.180 And then that brings the psalm 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.180 to a climactic close 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.540 in verses 34 to 35. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.280 Ascribe power to God 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.980 whose majesty was over Israel 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:27.880 and whose power is in the skies. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:30.160 Awesome is God from His sanctuary, 00:19:30.320 --> 00:19:31.080 the God of Israel. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.700 He is the one who gives power 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.880 and strength to His people. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.160 Blessed be God. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:38.420 It's a repetition of the word power here, 00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.380 right, five times, 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.860 highlighting God's power 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.920 as the one whose majesty 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.860 is over Israel, 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.180 who rules over Israel. 00:19:44.600 --> 00:19:46.380 So this goes from God 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:48.200 who rises before us, 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.759 the God who is among us 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.440 to rescue, 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:52.559 and then God who rules over us. 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:55.960 And then that exhortation 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.639 to repeat it, 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.179 to blessed be God, 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:58.940 to bless Him, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.839 to praise Him, 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.700 from verse 35, 00:20:02.179 --> 00:20:03.339 from verse 19 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.740 is repeated in verse 35. 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:08.119 And this God ultimately 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:10.579 who rises before us 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.579 and rescues among us 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:12.539 and rules over us 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.859 is revealed to us ultimately 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.799 and definitively 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.039 in Jesus Christ, right? 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:17.539 And that's why 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.339 in Ephesians 4, 7 to 8, 00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:21.539 Apostle Paul quotes this psalm. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:23.579 He quotes verse 18 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.180 of this psalm, 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:24.579 and he says, 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.740 But grace was given 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.799 to each one of us 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.359 according to the measure 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.440 of Christ's gift. 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.539 Therefore, it says, 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.599 When He ascended on high, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.240 He led a host of captives, 00:20:34.399 --> 00:20:36.139 and He gave gifts to men. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:38.639 So the psalm talked about 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.139 how God, 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.960 after defeating His enemies, 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:43.819 led His captives behind them 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.659 in triumphant procession, 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:47.980 ascended to His mountain abode, 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:50.399 and He received gifts from men. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.400 And out of that, 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:53.180 the Israelites received 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.180 their spoils, right? 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.680 And so in a similar way, 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.400 it's Christ who now defeats 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.640 the spiritual authorities 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.320 and rulers. 00:20:59.940 --> 00:21:01.480 And after His ascension, 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:02.580 it says He received 00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:03.380 the Holy Spirit 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.280 from the Father, 00:21:04.560 --> 00:21:06.460 and He distributes the gifts 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.259 among His people. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.740 And so that's how 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.700 Paul's connecting this, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.100 that this victory of God 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.340 that's seen here in this psalm 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:14.100 pointed to and was fulfilled 00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:15.120 in what Christ did 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.800 on the cross. 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:19.159 And the way He defeated 00:21:19.159 --> 00:21:19.659 His enemies, 00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:21.139 the way He went before us, 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:23.220 the way He rescued among us, 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.399 and the way He ruled over us, 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.379 it's through the cross. 00:21:25.619 --> 00:21:26.440 That's His throne. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.819 That's how He rescues. 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:29.180 That's how He saves His people 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.759 and delivers us. 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.940 And that's why 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:33.700 verse 19-20 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.859 can be appropriately applied 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.460 to Christ. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:38.519 The Lord daily bears us up. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.220 God is our salvation. 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.579 Our God is a God of salvation. 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.259 And to God the Lord 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.699 belong deliverances from death. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:49.399 Apart from the grace of God, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.399 there's no reason 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:53.039 why we do not descend to hell 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.899 at this very moment. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.799 And it's because we are united 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.179 to Christ, to faith, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:22:00.019 because of His common grace, 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.500 humanity. 00:22:01.199 --> 00:22:02.699 That's what preserves us 00:22:02.699 --> 00:22:04.279 and that's Christ has saved us. 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:06.179 So it's appropriate to say 00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:07.939 that Christ daily bears us up. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.079 He is our salvation. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.659 He's the one sustaining us 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.379 at this very moment. 00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:13.800 And so we need to look to Him 00:22:13.800 --> 00:22:15.340 for our hope 00:22:15.340 --> 00:22:16.260 and in faith 00:22:16.260 --> 00:22:17.020 that He's the one 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:18.040 that goes before us 00:22:18.040 --> 00:22:19.680 in all that we face. 00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:21.000 He is the one 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.220 that rescues among us 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.880 and He's the one 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:24.180 that rules over us. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.140 And He rules over us 00:22:25.140 --> 00:22:26.040 even now, right? 00:22:26.520 --> 00:22:27.680 He didn't just save us 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.920 and leave us to ourselves. 00:22:29.040 --> 00:22:30.040 He's still ruling. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.180 He's still in control. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.080 He's still sovereign. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:34.100 So with that in mind, 00:22:35.280 --> 00:22:36.300 let's sing another song 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.340 and pray. 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:37.500 Thank you.