Hello, my friend.
Now we come to PSALM 68, another of those very significant Psalms which tower high on the horizon of David’s anthems of praise to the Lord. It is longer than usual, and full of good stuff. I truly hope you’ve taken or made the time to read it through. I can only look at two or three things of particular significance.
It starts right off with David acknowledging God’s power and sovereign authority over all his enemies, blowing them away as smoke is blown away by the wind. And then he says, vs. 3, “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” The words joyful and happy are not the same, as you’ve heard from me before. Happiness depends on happenings which make me happy, but when they change I am unhappy. But joy depends on a relationship which is indifferent to circumstances. Happiness is like a thermometer, affected by the cold or warmth of surroundings. Joy is like a rheostat which changes the temperature of the situation. And we find the word joy and joyful often in Scripture but here we see that we can also be happy, can indeed find pleasure in our circumstances.
Then in vs. 4 we sing to God, whose ‘name is the Lord.’ I like that. Today we so often hear Christ referred to Jesus this and Jesus that, but in fact we read here that his name is the Lord, which essentially means master, owner, the CEO of the believer’s life. Jesus was a rather common name in Christ’s time, but Lord simply means there is no other. He alone is Sovereign in all our lives.
Then we read so tenderly that God cares for those in great need, “He is a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, He sets the lonely in families, and He leads forth the prisoners with singing.” Isn’t that dramatic, tremendous? There God comes, surrounded with lonely people, abandoned by all, and with people shackled by whatever addiction or difficulty, and God leads them in singing. Exciting. And finally in vs. 11 we read that “the Lord announced the Word and great was the company of those who proclaimed it, or declared it.” I’m thrilled, my friend, to be among that great company who’ve given their lives to declaring and proclaiming the precious Word of God. And I praise God that you are also along, with those who love and share His Word.
“Thank you, Lord, for the huge blessing of feasting on your Word and finding both refuge and encouragement. Bless my friend who has joined in, and all in special need. We worship and love you, Lord.”
And I thank Him for you, partner, Cheerio!
These meditations on the Psalms were written by Village Schools of the Bible Founder, Monty Sholund and first published in book form as Monty’s Musings on the Psalms in 2000. Copies are available for $10 and can be ordered here.
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