BIBLE STUDY MANUALS - PSALM 68 OBSERVATIONS

OBSERVATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The purpose of the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand in accordance with the framework in which it was written: a framework which is defined by the normative rules of language, context and logic - rules which do not impose undue, unintended meanings to the text , and which largely limit the observer to the content offered by Paul's epistle to the Ephesians and his other writings. In order for any passage from elsewhere to be considered, it must have a relationship with the context at hand, such as a Scriptural quotation or a specific cross reference in the passage at hand by the author. This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.

Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.

I) Introduction

A) The Hebrew Text Provides An Instruction To The Choir Director

B) Psalm 68 Traces The Establishment Of God's Kingdom From The Time Of His Redemption / Rescue Of His People, Israel, From The Egyptians To The Defeat Of All Opposition To Himself And His People In The Future When All The Kingdoms Of The World Will Submit To And Believe In The God Of Israel As The God Of Their Salvation, King Of Kings, And Lord Of All; And All Will Pay Tribute And Homage To Him

1) [Compare Bible Studys.Org - Introductory Comments]:

https://www.bible-studys.org/Bible Books/Psalms/Psalm 68.html

II) [Ps 68:1-35]:

A) [(Ps 68:1-6) 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; Yes, 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 The LORD, And Exult Before Him. A Father Of The Fatherless, And A Judge For The Widows, Is God In His Holy Habitation. God Makes A Home For The Lonely; He Leads Out The Prisoners Into Prosperity, Only The Rebellious Dwell In A Parched Land]:

1) Psalm 68:1

a) [Compare Nu 10:11-14, 28, 33-35]:

b) [Compare Bible Studys.Org On Ps 68:1]:

A cont.) [(Ps 68:1-6 cont.) 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; Yes, 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 The LORD, And Exult Before Him. A Father Of The Fatherless, And A Judge For The Widows, Is God In His Holy Habitation. God Makes A Home For The Lonely; He Leads Out The Prisoners Into Prosperity, Only The Rebellious Dwell In A Parched Land, (cont.)]:

a) [Compare Bible Studys.Org On Ps 68:2]:

4) Ps 68:4-6

b) Ps 68:5-6

B) [(Ps 68:7-18) O God, When You Went Forth Before Your People, When You Marched Through The Wilderness, The Earth Quaked; The Heavens Also Dropped Rain At The Presence; Sinai Itself Quaked At The Presence Of God, The God Of Israel. You Shed Abroad A Plentiful Rain, O God; You Confirmed Your Inheritance When It Was Parched. Your Creatures Settled In It; You Provided In Your Goodness For The Poor, O God. The Lord Gives The Command; The Women Who Proclaim The Good Tidings Are A Great Host. 'Kings Of Armies Flee, They Flee, And She Who Remains At Home Will Divide The Spoil. When You Lie Down Among The Sheepfolds You Are Like Wings Of A Dove Covered With Silver, And Its Pinions With Glistening Gold. When The Almighty Scattered The Kings There, It Was Snowing In Zalmon. A Mountain Of God is [like] the mountain of Bashan; A Mountain Of Many Peaks is [like] the mountain of Bashan. Why Do You Look With Envy, O Mountains With Many Peaks, At The Mountain Which God Has Desired For His Abode? Surely The LORD Will Dwell There Forever. The Chariots Of God Are Myriads, Thousands Upon Thousands; The Lord Is Among Them As At Sinai, In Holiness. 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.

1) Ps 68:1-6

a) Ps 68:1-2

c) Ps 68:4a

d) Ps 68:4b & 5

a) [Compare Dt 32:9-10]:

a) [Compare The Presence of God in Scripture:

]:

a) [Compare Ps 107:1-7, 35-36]:

b) [Compare Jos 5:6]:

c) [Compare Ex 16:4]:

d) [Compare Ps 78:24]:

e) [Compare Jud 5:5]:

5) Ps 68:10 follows with

a) [Compare Dt 4:20]:

6) Ps 68:11

7) Ps 68:12-13

8) Ps 68:14

9) Ps 68:15-16

a) [Compare Ps 68:24]:

b) [Compare Ps 132:13-14]:

10) Ps 68:17

11) Ps 68:18

a) [Compare Ps 68:18a]:

b) The Tabernacle And The Ark And The Presence Of God In The Midst Of The Israelites

i) [Compare Ex 25:8]:

ii) [Compare Ex 25:22]:

iii) [Compare Ps 113:4-6]:

iii_a) [The Temple And The Presence of God Amidst The Israelites]

Solomon’s Temple

(11 cont.) Ps 68:18, (cont.)

c) [Compare Ex 25:1-9]:

d) [Compare Ex 3:21-22]:

e) [Compare Eph 4:8]:

f) [Compare 1 Pet 1:18-19]:

11 cont.) Ps 68:18, (cont.)

C) (Ps 68:19-23) Blessed Be The LORD, Who Daily Bears Our Burden, The God Who Is Our Salvation. Selah. God Is To Us A God Of Deliverances; And To Jehovah [YHWH] [My] Lord [Adonai] Belong Escapes From [Temporal] Death. Surely God Will Shatter The Head Of His Enemies, The Hairy Crown Of Him Who Goes On In His Guilty Deeds. The LORD Said, 'I Will Bring Them Back From Bashan. I Will Bring Them Back From The Depths Of The Sea; That Your Foot May Shatter In Blood, The Tongue Of Your Dogs May Have Its Portion From Your Enemies.']

1) Ps 68:19-20

a) [Compare Ps 68:16-17]:

b) [Compare Ps 68:4]:

2) Ps 68:21

2 cont.) Ps 68:21 (cont.)

3) Ps 68:22-23

a) [Compare Nu 21:33-35]:

b) [Compare Isa 51:10]:

c) [Compare Isa 11:15-16, (cf. Isa 50:2; 63:11-12)]:

d) [Compare Ex 15:13; (cf. Isa 63:9)]:

e) [Compare Ps 106:10]:

f) [Compare Isa 63:9]:

g) [Compare 1 Kgs 22:35-38]:

D) (Ps 68:24-27) [They [Israelites] Have Seen Your [God's] Procession / Goings; My King, In The Sanctuary [Of The Temple]. The Singers Went On, The Musicians After Them, In The Midst Of The Maidens Beating Tambourines. Bless God In The Congregations, Even The LORD, You Who Are Of The Fountain Of Israel. There Is Benjamin, The Youngest [Tribe]; Ruling Them - The Princes [The Tribe] Of Judah In Their Throng; The Princes Of Zebulun; The Princes Of Naphtali

1) [Compare Ps 68:17-18)]:

2) [Compare Ps 63:1-11]:

i) [Compare Ex 25:8]:

ii) [Compare Ex 25:22]:

iii) [Compare Ps 113:4-6]:

E) (Ps 68:28-31) Your God Has Commanded Your [Israel's] Strength; Show Yourself Strong, O God, [You] Who Have Acted On Our [Israel's] Behalf. Because Of Your Temple At Jerusalem Kings Will Bring Gifts To You. Rebuke The Beasts In The Reeds, The Herd Of Bulls With The Calves Of The Peoples, Trampling Under Foot The Pieces Of Silver; He Has Scattered The Peoples Who Delight In War.

1) In Ps 68:28

a) [Compare Ps 68:22-23]:

b) [Compare Ps 68:5-6; 19-20]:

2) In Ps 68:29

a) [Hag 2:7, (Ps 76:11; Isa 18:7; 60:3-7; 66:20; Hag 2:7; Zech 2:11-13; 6:15; 8:21-22; Rev 21:24)]:

E cont.) (Ps 68:28-31 cont.) Your God Has Commanded Your [Israel's] Strength; Show Yourself Strong, O God, [You] Who Have Acted On Our [Israel's] Behalf. Because Of Your Temple At Jerusalem Kings Will Bring Gifts To You. Rebuke The Beasts In The Reeds, The Herd Of Bulls With The Calves Of The Peoples, Trampling Under Foot The Pieces Of Silver; He Has Scattered The Peoples Who Delight In War, (cont.)

3) Ps 68:30-31

F) (Ps 68:32-35) Sing To God, O Kingdoms Of The Earth, Sing Praises To The Lord, Selah. To Him Who Rides Upon The Highest Heavens, Which Are From Ancient Times; Behold, He Speaks Forth With His Voice, A Mighty Voice. Ascribe Strength To God; His Majesty Is Over Israel And His Strength Is In The Skies. O God You Are Awesome From Your Sanctuary. The God Of Israel Himself Gives Strength And Power To The People. Blessed Be God!

1) In Ps 68:32

2) Ps 68:33

3) In Ps 68:34

4) Then in Ps 68:35

5) (Ps 68:32-35) [Compare Expositor's Bible Commentary]: