Psalm 68 is a complex psalm, but its complexity is due to it richness in colourful symbolism. As a whole, the psalm is a powerful faith-affirmation of the sovereign power of God who is judge over the earth. The cry of this psalm reaches beyond its own context to the end of this age and the second coming of Christ as envisaged in Revelation 19. Verse 4 speaks of the one who comes ‘riding upon the clouds’. This is a way of portraying God’s readiness to act in authority and power, and it is an image that Christ applies to himself in Matthew 24:30. Verse 11 gives us a wonderful picture of God deciding and announcing the result of the battle before it has begun. This then becomes the theme of celebration. From verse 17 we have a picture of a great victory procession in which God ascends to rule over the nations, and from this position blesses his people with gifts. Paul applies this to Christ in Ephesians 4:12. Jesus Christ ascended to heaven having gained victory over death, and from there distributed gifts through his Spirit to his people. As you read this psalm try to identify the statements that you need to lift up over your circumstances. Whatever power and spiritual resource you need to advance, you have that in Christ. The best way to overcome obstacles is to remind yourself of whose purpose you serve and worship him. When adversity lies ahead lift your eyes to the one who is always higher than the greatest obstacle.
Pray the most relevant parts of this psalm over your situation.
Read Psalm 68
