stephen R Harrison

Have you ever stopped to think about all the Lord does? If you do for any length of time, it will cause you to praise His name. Psalm 68 is a psalm of David that does just that – remembrance and praise! It is good and necessary that we recall the blessings and activities of God in our lives and attribute them to Him through praise. If not, we can soon give ourselves the credit for God’s mighty work. God is our protector, cares about us, and fights our battles when we are under attack. God scatters His enemies and they flee before Him (v. 1). I have the picture of rats and roaches running as the light comes on in fear the will be squashed. God is the source of pleasure, the reason for the righteous person’s happiness and joy (v. 3). God takes care of the people in our lives as He is a “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows” and “sets the lonely in families” (vv. 5-6). Praise be to God!

God is our provider and gives us refreshment when we are weary, sustenance when we are impoverished, and His Word when we are discouraged (vv. 9-11). God is our past and present help as David shows us through his recollection of the victories of the Lord as Israel moved out of Egypt into the Promised Land (vv. 7-18). He supplies our every need (v. 12), succeeds when we are sleeping (v. 13), scatters His enemies (vv. 14-16), and supersedes His adversaries (vv. 17-18). Praise be to the Lord!

David reminds us that God is our Savior and bears our burdens (v. 19). He does not defeat His enemies through surrender, but He chases them down as they flee, crushes their heads, humiliates them, and clearly displays His total victory for all to see (vv. 20-23). Remembering the Lord’s victories of the past gives us victory through present day praise. David painted a picture of God the King Who has defeated all kings and triumphantly entering the sanctuary in full majesty as He is being surrounded with the praise He so rightly deserves (vv. 24-27). This should be our view of God and praise towards Him every time we think about Him!

God is to be praised locally in Jerusalem (v. 29), but universally as He is God over creation (v. 30). He is God over all the nations (v. 31). Every kingdom of the earth will praise the Lord (v. 32). The heavens declare the praises of the Lord (v. 33). God is to be eternally praised everywhere by everyone! Praise be to God!

Questions:

1. Have you stopped to remember all God has done and praise Him?

2. Do you praise the God Who triumphs over His enemies and at the same time still provides for you?

3. Do you praise Him in the sanctuary and everywhere else you go?

Prayer:

Lord, You are to be praised from the mountain top to the valley. You have done great and mighty things and continue to do so. May I never forget Who You are and that You never change. May I praise You everywhere for eternity for all You have done, are doing, and will do for Your glory. Thank You for loving me in so many ways so I can return the love to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.