April 10, 2017
THE QUEST FOR TRUTH
Psalm 68:19–35
Ryan Long
Central Truth
The truth of God's nature is always attractive. When God's people live according to His ways, it makes outsiders curious about the cause of blessing in their lives. God gives this life to all who seek Him.
Key Verse | Psalm 68:31
Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
(Psalm 68:31)
Psalm 68:19–35
19
Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. Selah
20
Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.
21
But God will strike the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.
22
The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23
that you may strike your feet in their blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe.”
24
Your procession is
1
68:24
Or has been
seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—
25
the singers in front, the musicians last,
between them virgins playing tambourines:
26
“Bless God in the great congregation,
the LORD, O you
2
68:26
The Hebrew for you is plural here
who are of Israel's fountain!”
27
There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28
Summon your power, O God,
3
68:28
By revocalization (compare Septuagint); Hebrew Your God has summoned your power
the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.
29
Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings shall bear gifts to you.
30
Rebuke 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.
4
68:30
The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
31
Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.
32
O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33
to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34
Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies.
35
Awesome is God from his
5
68:35
Septuagint; Hebrew your
sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!
Dive Deeper | Psalm 68:19–35
It bewildered me, at first, that Gentile nobles would travel to Israel just to be near God's presence. I later learned that God used Israel, His chosen people, to draw outsiders to the light (1 Kings 8:41-43). A friend once shared with me a glimpse of what these foreigners may have thought about the people of Israel: "Here are these Jews, constantly burning choice portions of their crops and livestock, winning battles against larger armies, and living at peace with one another. What is their secret?!" These outsiders would be so curious and awestruck that they would travel long distances to seek out Israel's God. These Gentiles sought the source of the power and life of the Israelites.
I can relate to their pursuit, as it was only a few years ago that I personally encountered something as powerful as they had witnessed. I saw men living in a way that was prosperous and peaceful (Joshua 1:8). I heard, for the first time in my life, people speaking truths that satisfied a deep hunger in my soul (Proverbs 18:20-21). I became addicted as I would listen to these men skillfully share wisdom from the Bible. Their words fed me and gave me life and hope (Proverbs 10:11, 21). I began valuing the things these men said above anything else I heard (Proverbs 25:11-12). The truths they spoke led me, a Gentile, to the light of Christ. I met Truth. He's a Person; and His name is Jesus Christ.
America's founding documents claim that these truths are self-evident, that all men are created equal by God and that our rights come from Him. But the fact is, these truths are not self-evident. These truths are only evidenced in the light of who Christ is. The majority of the world, and a vast swath of our country, live in darkness to these truths. Let us, as a people reconciled to God by the sacrifice of Jesus, be the light that draws people to the Truth. Christ in you is the hope of glory.
Discussion Questions
1. Examine your life (Proverbs 4:26). What about your life right now might be drawing outsiders toward the truth of who God is?
2. Examine your life (Proverbs 4:26). What about your life right now might be dimming people's ability to witness Christ through your actions?
3. Have you shared your story lately of how you were drawn to the light of Christ?
4. What role do you think you play in drawing others to Christ? (Tip: Use Scripture to help formulate a response.)