Several scholars consider Psalm 68 the most difficult Psalm to translate and understand. Marvin Tate notes that this psalm contains 15 hapax legomena, and an additional 24 words that occur very rarely. The organizational pattern of this psalm is so difficult to identify that some scholars have suggested that it is not really a psalm but a kind of anthology of lines from other psalms. Reading it has been described as like reading the index of first lines and titles from a hymnal.
But, if one keeps reading, thinking, and praying, one often finds something worthwhile in these difficult passages. Let us consider two aspects of what the psalm says about God.
God comes
This psalm rejoices in the coming of God. His coming in judgment is celebrated.
“God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! 2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!” (1-2)
His coming in deliverance is also celebrated.
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. “God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, 8the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; 10your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.” (5-10)
Here we note that he delivers orphans and widows (5-6); that he delivered his people from Egypt and through the wilderness (7-8); and that he brought them to the land and there continued to deliver them by giving rain and other blessings (9-10).
So, the psalm rejoices in the fact that God goes out from his heavenly dwelling to come among men for both judgment of evil and deliverance of his people.
God dwells
This psalm also rejoices in the dwelling of God among his people. For the God who comes in judgment and deliverance has chosen to come and dwell. He began to dwell among his people to bless them at Sinai and has continued with them.
“The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. 18You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” (17-19)
Later, when his people were settled in the land, he made Jerusalem his dwelling place (29). Because he dwells among his people in this way, the nations will be drawn to Jerusalem.
“Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. 30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 32O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord” (29-32).
Because of his dwelling among them, his people are made strong.
“Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. 35Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!” (34-35)
These ideas of the coming and dwelling of God are in the psalm. Now, for some application to us.
We need to trust more in his coming to judge and deliver.
We need to rejoice more in his dwelling among us.
If we would do so we would be stronger, and others would be drawn among us.
God came to Israel in the deliverance from Egypt and dwelt with them thereafter.
He came in Jesus to purchase the church for himself, and he continues to dwell with that church (Eph 1:17-23). Let us trust in him, draw strength from him, rejoice in him who gives power and strength to his people.
Eswatini