A devotion on Ps 68:18-35
18 When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
Through the ages, God is a giver. In Ephesians 4:8, Paul rephrases this verse to say, “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” God who had received gifts from people in the Psalm, now gives gifts to men. The greatest of these is the Holy Spirit: “This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5. Through the ages God is a giver – and that of wonderful things!
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Did I just say he is a giver? A good giver? God so loved us that he gave us the Son. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. Glory to God! “My soul, praise Yahweh, and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5. So how am I doing today? I am loaded with benefits! And this he does daily.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
“The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor. 15:26. He that daily loads us with good things oversees even our death. As we learned in Psalm 22, it is he, not disease, not an accident, not an enemy, not a persecutor’s sword, not a disease, not a government conspiracy, but he that shall lay us down in the dust. Get a load of that.
28 Summon your power, God;
show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God.
Egypt symbolizes the world’s systems, powers, and influence. She represents the strength and wisdom of man. She is the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. God will ultimately submit all the world powers and establish himself as head over them. Even the proudest will be humbled and pay homage to Jehova Adonai.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
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