Message Notes

SSS 4 19 FEBRUARY 2023
Book 2
Psalms 42-72

Text: Psalm 68

6. The Salvation Plan of God revealed

18 You have ascended on high,
You have led captivity captive;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious,
That the LORD God might dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah

20 Our God is the God of salvation;
And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.

Psalm 68:18-20

a) God’s plan of Salvation revealed

b) Captivity is led captive

c) God blesses those who are with Him

d) He blesses them with many benefits

e) He helps us escape death

7. The preservation of God’s people

21 But God will wound the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.

22 The Lord said, “I will bring back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,

23 That your foot may crush them in blood,
And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

Psalm 68:21-23

a) Enemies will attack Israel/ Judah

b) Israel is scattered far and wide because of its rejection of God

c) But ultimately, the enemies would be crushed

d) God will bring His people back to their homeland

8. A Picture of refugees returning to Israel

24 They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after;
Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.

26 Bless God in the congregations,
The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.

27 There is little Benjamin, their leader,
The princes of Judah and their company,
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

Psalm 68:24-27

 

a) The Returnees are described as “a procession”

b) They will rebuild their sanctuary

c) There will be great joy in the worship of God

d) There is a stirring call to offer great worship to God

i) The congregations

ii) The fountain of Israel (Zion)

iii) Benjamin

iv) Judah

v) Zebulun

vi) Naphthali

vii) Notable people will arise (“princes”)

9. Prayers to be offered to the LORD

28 Your God has commanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
Kings will bring presents to You.

30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,
The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,
Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.
Scatter the peoples who delight in war.

31 Envoys will come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.

Psalm 68:28-31

a) Prayer for strength

b) Prayer for Zion (Temple ministry)

c) Prayer to God to rebuke enemies

Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,
The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples

Psalm 68:30a

d) Prayer to scatter enemies

Scatter the peoples who delight in war.

Psalm 68:30b

e) Prayer of defeated enemies to God

Envoys will come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God

Psalm 68:31

 

10. Praise to be given to the LORD

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah

33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!
Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.

34 Ascribe strength to God;
His excellence is over Israel,
And His strength is in the clouds.

35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!

Psalm 68:32-35

a) Great singing of praise to the LORD God

b) Consciousness of the greatness of God

i) He rides on the heaven of heavens

ii) He has a mighty voice

iii) Ascription of strength to be given to God

iv) Awesomeness of God

v) He gives strength and power to His people