Choosing Zion For His Dwelling Place

Topic: Sovereignty
Passage: Psalms 68:15–23

May 16, 2020

Commentary

The great mountains of the land of Basham (v. 15) no doubt refers to Mount Hermon, the highest snow capped peak in the Middle East, just a few miles north of Basham. The psalmists intent was to show that Israel would be victorious by divine design (sovereignty), rather than by human ingenuity. Choosing Zion (v. 16) for His dwelling place, God entered the city with a vast company of angelic hosts riding in chariots (v. 17). The psalmist pictures the mountains leaping up and down with envy at the place God chose to be His dwelling place! God did not choose the higher peaks of Palestine but a much humbler hill.

There are three major clauses found in verse 19. They are as follows:

  1. “Thou has ascended on high” – This refers to the ark ascending into the sanctuary on Mount Zion.
  2. “Thou hast led captivity captive” – This indicates that many have been captured and taken prisoner in Israel’s struggle to secure Canaan.
  3. “Thou hast received gifts for men” – This indicates that tribute money has been paid by Israel’s enemies to the chosen nation of God.

This is grace exemplified in its highest form. God is seeking the rebels who nailed Christ to the tree, finding a place for them in the family of God and bestowing upon them His grace.

Application

God in His sovereignty sets His people free and crushes His enemies. I should not waste my time fighting the battles of life but let the Lord fight my battles for me.

Psalms 68:15– 23 (NET)

15 The mountain of Bashan is a towering mountain; the mountain of Bashan is a mountain with many peaks.

16 Why do you look with envy, O mountains with many peaks, at the mountain where God has decided to live? Indeed the Lord will live there permanently.

17 God has countless chariots; they number in the thousands. The Lord comes from Sinai in holy splendor.

18 You ascend on high; you have taken many captives. You receive tribute from men, including even sinful rebels. Indeed, the Lord God lives there.

19 The Lord deserves praise. Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. (Selah)

20 Our God is a God who delivers; the Lord, the Sovereign Lord, can rescue from death.

21 Indeed, God strikes the heads of his enemies, the hairy foreheads of those who persist in rebellion.

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

23 so that your feet may stomp in their blood, and your dogs may eat their portion of the enemies’ corpses.”