Observations:
1. In Praise of Divine Vindication (vv. 19–20)
The psalmist invited the people to praise God for 2 reasons:a. He carries their burden. As the justice leader He cares for the fatherless, widows, deserted, prisoners and cast out the sinful rebels v.5-6.
b. He delivers them from their enemies. The psalmists asked God to scatter God's enemies, drive them away, and destroy them v.1-2. In the history of Israel the psalmist recalled that God did the same thing to Israel's enemies. The armies run away v.12, the Shaddai/El Shaddai or the sovereign king/judge of the world scatters kings v.14.
2. An Oracle From the Divine Warrior (vv. 21–23)
Again the psalmist identified the enemies of God (Indeed God strikes the heads of his enemies v.21) with the enemies of Israel (your dogs may eat their portion of the enemies' corpse v.23).
3. Joyful Anticipation of God’s Coming as the Divine Warrior (vv. 24–35)
The joyful celebration of the Coming of the Divine Warrior comes in 4 parts:
a. The processions
68:24 They see your processions, O God—
the processions of my God, my king, who marches along in holy splendor.
68:25 Singers walk in front;
musicians follow playing their stringed instruments,
in the midst of young women playing tambourines.
(NET) To celebrate a military victory, women would play tambourines (see Exod 15:20; Judg 11:34; 1 Sam 18:6).
b. What is the final destiny of this military victorious processions? The assemblies of Israel v.26-27 and the temple in Jerusalem v.29a.
c. the tribute from nations v.29b-31
The reason why these nations will bring their tribute is to show their humility before God.
v.30bThey humble themselves and offer gold and silver as tribute.
d. Praising from all the kingdoms of the earth to God
68:32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God!
Sing praises to the Lord,
(Selah)
68:33 to the one who rides through the sky from ancient times!
Look! He thunders loudly.
(NET) God has been revealing his power through the storm since ancient times.
Nations were called to acknowledge God's power v.34a and He is the same person that rules over Israel v.34b and gives them the power v.35b.
Summary: Anyone who fights against Israel is the enemy of God. God will scatter them and rescue Israel. He will come back one day and Israel will celebrate the victory. Nations will humble themselves and bring tribute to God. Then they will praise God for His power. The power they see is magnificent like the power God reveals in the storm.
Reflections: What changes do it make to know that God will fight for me? He will treat my enemy as His enemies. I think it makes a tremendous impact. One thing is that I do not need to feel powerless when I see the injustice of the world and the evil regime. Also, I have victory over sin/Satan/death. I am living a victorious life. Follow the Holy Spirit and I can overcome sin.
God did not just rescue Israel in the past He does not change and will rescue them again in the future. The Divine Warrior is still present today. He did not change and He is still powerful. No one can not be humbled before Him. I should have no fear in front of anyone.
The center of the celebration is the assemblies, Jerusalem and the temple. He cares about His people. The church is not Israel, but we are also His people. We shared the joy in His celebration. On Sundays, let us, as a church, celebrate together because He is our Divine Warrior.
Audrey
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