From The Wilderness to Zion
June 7, 2019
Commentary
Two things distinguished Israel’s history from that of all other nations.
- Divine presence – (vv. 7, 8) – Picture Israel marching out of Egypt wrapped in a Shekinah cloud. When, in all of history, has this world ever seen anything like this?
- Divine providence – (vv. 9, 10) – For many this was the first time they had seen rain, for there was no rain in Egypt. The promised land must have looked like a paradise to these Israelites.
The psalmist next rehearses the victorious occupation of the land of Canaan from which the kings (vv. 11-14) were driven out.
- Victory appropriated – As the victories were handed to the Israelites by God, they would go through the abandoned tents of the enemy collecting the spoil (vv. 11-12).
- Victory acclaimed – In contrast to their former slavery, the people are now sheltered by the wings of a dove (v. 13). This dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
- Victory acknowledged – The psalmist saw the mountain symbolizing a great victory over the enemy (v. 14). He saw the enemy driven before the wind like snowflakes. Israel’s victories were of an earthly, temporal nature while ours are heavenly and eternal.
God’s victory is pictured as beautiful and refreshing as freshly fallen snow.
Application
It is God’s Word that gives the victory. All I need to do is divide the spoil when the defeated foes flee from His almighty word.
Psalms 68:11– 14 (NET)
11 The Lord speaks; many, many women spread the good news.
12 Kings leading armies run away—they run away! The lovely lady of the house divides up the loot.
13 When you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver and with glittering gold.
14 When the Sovereign One scatters kings, let it snow on Zalmon.