Carefully Examining the Text

Psalm 68 has been described by quite a few writers as the most difficult of the Psalms to interpret. One reason it is so difficult is because around 15 words are used only here in the OT.

It is a difficult psalm but when that is the case one thing we can focus on is what the Psalm teaches us about God. 
1. This Psalm teaches God as a warrior who conquers HIs foes- 68:1-2, 6, 12, 14, 17-18, 21-23, 28-31.

2. The Psalms shows God a compassionate and merciful God who cares for the weakest- 68:5-6, 10, 19-20.

3. The Psalm shows God as an awesome and holy God whose presence shakes the earth- 68:8, 15-18.

This brief Psalm pictures all nations and peoples praising God.

The Psalm is built on the promises of God to Abraham to bless all nations through him and his descendants (Gen. 12:1-3; 22:18) and the blessing the priests pronounced (Numbers 6:24-26).

The nations are not viewed as hostile like Psalm 2:1 or asking God to judge them like Psalm 59:5, but instead it pictures the nations praising God because of the blessings that His people receive. 

God is praised because He judges the nations with uprightness (4), and guides them (4), and because He blesses HIs people (6). 

Jesus and Psalm 67
Jesus is the ultimate display of the light of God's face shining upon us- II Corinthians 4:6; John 1:1-5.
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the promises of God to Abraham- Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:7-8, 16, 26-29
Through Jesus the nations praise God- Psalm 117:1 is quoted in Romans 15:11 as we see Jews and Gentiles praising God together. Revelation 5:9; 7;9-10.

This is the first Psalm in which David has not been mentioned in the heading since Psalm 50.

66:1-12 is a national thanksgiving
66:1-4 All the earth is to praise God

66:5-7 God turned the sea into dry land

66:8-12 God has afflicted HIs people but finally brought them to a place of abundance

66:13-20 is an individual thanksgiving
66:13-15 He pays his vows to God

66:16-20 He gives thanks to God

How does the Psalm speak of Jesus?

This Psalm is divided into three parts
65:1-4 People come to the temple to praise, pray, and the LORD provides

65:5-8 All the world looks to God

65:9-13 God is blessing the land

Jesus fulfills the picture of Psalm 65
65:3 God forgives sin  and Jesus forgives sin- Mark 2:1-12; Luke 7:48-49
65:7 God stills the storm and Jesus does- Mark 4:35-41; Matt. 8:23-27; Lk. 8:22-25
65:8 God does signs that leave the world in awe. The word for signs is the same word used for Jesus' miracles in the gospel of John- 2:11.
Yet the God who is girded with might- 65:6- girds Himself with a towel to wash the disciples feet- John 13:4-5.

This psalm consists of a prayer for help- 64:1-2- A description of the enemy- 64:3-6- and a dramatic intervention by God- 64:7-10.

Key words:
hide- 64:2, 4 compare vs. 2 with  II Kings 11:2; II Chron. 22:11. 
tongue- 64:3, 8
arrow- 64:3, 7
shoot- 64:4, 7
blameless- 64:4, 6
suddenly- 64:4, 7
see- 64:5, 8
fear- 64:4, 9

Also listen for how Jesus fulfills the Psalm. 

Psalm 63

  David in the wilderness of Judea discusses his thirst, his longing for God.

He praises God- vs. 3, 5- He blesses God- vs. 4- He meditates on Him- vs. 6- sings for joy- vs. 7- clings to Him- vs. 8

Jesus fulfills Psalm 63. Please listen to how.

This psalm uses the Hebrew word translated "only" or "alone" some six times. Four of these times in passages about God Himself-(62:1, 2, 5, 6). God alone is our rock and our salvation.

What does the Psalm tells us about God? (62:1-2. 5-6, 7, 11-12)

Why is man such an empty object of hope and trust? (62:9-10)

What does the Psalm tells us about Christ?

What are some key words in the Psalm?
The word "hear" in vs, 1, 5
The word "refuge" in vs. 3, 4
The mention of "Your name" in vs. 5, 8

What does He say about God?
God leads HIm to the rock- vs. 2
God is His refuge and tower of strength- vs. 3
God is the One he fears- vs. 5 and praises- vs. 8
God supports and strengthens the king- vs. 6-7
God is One he looks to when his heart is faint- vs. 2

How does Jesus fulfill Psalm 61?
He cried to God and He heard- 61:1, 5; Heb. 5:7
Jesus is the Rock- 61:2; I Peter 2:4-8; Rom. 9:33
We find shelter under Jesus' wings- 61:4; Matt. 23:37-39
He is King forever- 61:6-7
Hebrews 7 emphasizes Melechizedek, who was both King and Priest. There is no record of his death and that is a picture of his continuing in these offices forever. Jesus fulfills this picture.
He exercises lovingkindness and truth- 61:7

This Psalm has a lengthy heading which ties in to David and Joab's conflicts with Edom recorded in II Sam. 8:13-14; I Chron. 18:12-13; and I Kings 11:15-16.

This most closely fits a national lament mourning a defeat in battle. Verses 5-12 are largely repeated in 108:6-13.

60:1-3 uses several verbs that stress God's hand in this crisis.

60:5 but the people are God's beloved

60:6-8 God has divided out the land among His people and He has promised to conquer Israel's foes

60:9-12 They beg God's help and aid in their conflict with Edom because only He can deliver and save. In the end they express confidence that He will

How does this psalm speak of Jesus?  Listen and consider.

This psalm has characteristics of an individual lament- 59:1-4- and a national lament- 59:5, 8, 13.

Some key themes in Psalm 59
1. David's description of his enemies- 59:1, 2, 3, 5, 6-7, 14-15

2. His evaluation of himself- He is innocent- 59:3-4; He puts his trust in God- 59:9, 16-17; He sings God's praises- 59:16

3. The urgency of David's requests for help- Four imperatives are used in 59:1-2; He calls God to arouse Himself to act on his behalf- 59:4-5; The imprecatory section of 59:11-13

4. What David says about God- God is his stronghold- 59:9, 16; God's lovingkindness is stressed- 59:10, 16, 17. God rules over the nations- 59:5, 8- and He mocks those who seek to defy Him- 59:8. He will demonstrate that He rules by His judgment- 59:11-13