Scripture Reading : Psalm 68
Theme : Majesty on High
- God’s Justice in the Past (1–10). This is the fourth and last of the great poems in Book II that share the heading ‘song-psalm’, and deal briefly with the theme of harvest. Psalm 68 has been used traditionally in Jewish synagogue worship at the feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. Many psalms including this one speak of the past, present and future of Israel and the world. The past (especially the exodus, v.7) is an indication of what will happen in the future and gives hope for the present. In order to understand the OT and many psalms, you must understand the first exodus points to the end time exodus, the ultimate salvation of Israel and the world (Num. 24:17, Hosea 2:14-15, Zech. 12:1-6). God is a defender of His people, those who are righteous and oppressed like the fatherless and the widows. Just as God delivered the Jews from oppression in oppressive Egypt during the first exodus, so God will again deliver the Jews in the end times from all their enemies.
- God’s Justice during the End of the Ages (11–18). The end of ages/the end of this world order is the time from Jesus’ first coming to His second coming (1 John 2:18, 1 Cor. 10:11, 1 Pet. 1:20, James 5:3). God will bring justice/salvation during this period, with its consummation toward the end of the end of the ages when Jesus returns. Vv. 11-14 most likely are referring to the end times victory of Jewish women who will defeat kings and armies because of God’s greatness. Even the weakest will be strong when Jesus shows up. In v. 16, the mountain of God, Zion (the Jews), will triumph over the mountain of Bashan (gentiles enemies). God’s victory over His enemies begins with the cross when Jesus dies and is resurrected and then gives gifts to His people (Eph. 4:8-12). The victory is consummated at His return.
- God’s Glory in the End (19-35). When Jesus returns, He will bring exiled Jews back from Bashan (Syria) and depth of the sea (other gentile nations) (v. 22, cf. 65:7). The Jews will slaughter their enemies. But it doesn’t end with the complete slaughter of gentile nations, but ends with the complete transformation of all nations, including Egypt and Cush (Ethiopia), who will worship God with their hands stretched to God (v. 31). All the kingdoms/nations of the world will praise and sing to God. When all of Israel is restored, the whole world will be restored (Rom. 11:15). In light of such great deliverance and transformation of the whole world, God deserves our highest honor and praise.
Praying the Scripture
What an amazing God we worship. He is on a mission to restore this broken world and He will surely complete it. As believers, you will get to be in His eternal, restored earth forever. There will be no wars and no oppression. The earth will return to paradise form. Set your mind on these eternal truths. Delight in your God. Offer sacrifices of praise to His great name daily. Lift up your heads and sing to Him, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13).
经文：诗篇68
主题：高天至大者
- 神过去的公义（1-10）。这是诗篇第二书卷里的第四首，也是带着“歌-诗”标题的最后一首伟大的诗；它简要地介绍了有关丰收的主题。传统上，诗篇68是在七七节或五旬节用于犹太教堂的敬拜。许多诗篇，包括这篇，都讲述以色列和世界的过去、现在和将来。过去（尤其是出埃及时，第7节）标明了未来将发生的事，也给现在带来希望。为要了解旧约和许多诗篇，你必须先明白出埃及事件是指向末世的迁移，是以色列和世界最终的救赎（民24:17；何2:14-15；亚12:1-6）。神是祂子民的守护者，即行义却受逼迫的人，如孤儿和寡妇。神在出埃及记中怎样将受逼迫的犹太人从埃及的逼迫中拯救出来，就会在末世如此从犹太人仇敌的手中拯救犹太人。
- 神末世的公义（11-18）。末世与末日是指耶稣首次降世直到祂再来的这段时间（约前2:18；林前10:11；彼前1:20；雅5:3）。神会在这段时间赐公义和救恩，其高点就是耶稣再来的时候。第11-14节有可能是指末期时犹太妇女的胜利；她们将因神的大能打败君王和军兵。即便最柔弱的也要在耶稣出现时变为刚强。在第16节中，神的高山锡安（即犹太人），将击败巴珊的高山（即外邦敌人）。神对敌人的胜利始于十字架，也就是当耶稣死而复活，并将各样的恩赐赏给人（弗4:8-12）的时候。这个胜利将在耶稣再来时完成。
- 神最终的荣耀（19-35）。当耶稣再来时，祂将把被流放的犹太人从巴珊（即叙利亚）和深海（即其他外邦国家）带回（22节；参：65:7）。犹太人将彻底摆平他们的仇敌，但戮杀外邦列国不是终点，而是万国彻底更新，包括埃及和古实——她们将举手敬拜神（31节）。万国都要赞美、颂扬神。以色列复兴后，全球也会跟着复兴（罗11:15）。鉴于全世界的救赎和改变，神配得我们最高的敬意和赞美。
用经文祷告
我们所敬拜的是多么令人惊叹的一位神。祂正在执行一项恢复残缺世界的任务，祂也一定能完成使命。身为信徒，你将永远居住在祂永恒、复兴的世界里。那里不再有战争和逼迫。地将恢复到乐园的形态。你要思念这些永恒的真理，要在神里得喜乐，每日以颂赞为祭献给神的伟大的名。抬起头来向祂颂扬：“但愿颂赞，尊贵，荣耀，权势，都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远！”（启5:13）
