Psalm 68:19

Commentary on Psalm 68:19

Text (NKJV):
“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah” (Psalm 68:19).

1. Context within Psalm 68

Psalm 68[i] is a majestic hymn of triumph, celebrating God’s power, His victory over enemies, and His care for His people. It portrays God as the Divine Warrior who leads His people in triumph, dwelling among them, and providing for them. The Psalm moves from cosmic grandeur—God riding on the clouds (v. 4)—to intimate care, where He provides for the needy and sustains His people daily (v. 19).

Verse 19 sits at the heart of this psalm, bridging God’s mighty acts of salvation with His ongoing provision. It reminds us that the God who conquers nations is also the God who sustains His people in the ordinary rhythms of life.

2. Exegesis of Psalm 68:19

• “Blessed be the Lord”: This is a call to worship. The psalmist responds to God’s character and actions with praise. In Christian theology, worship is the proper response to God’s revelation of Himself.
• “Who daily loads us with benefits”: The Hebrew phrase can be translated as “bears our burdens” or “carries us day by day.” The NKJV renders it as “loads us with benefits,” emphasising God’s generosity. Both senses are true: God provides blessings and sustains us under the weight of life’s burdens. This daily provision echoes the manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16), pointing to God’s faithfulness in meeting needs one day at a time.
• “The God of our salvation”: Salvation here is not merely deliverance from enemies but encompasses God’s covenantal commitment to His people. In the New Testament, this finds fulfilment in Christ, who bears our sins and grants eternal salvation (Romans 5:8–10 [8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.]). The psalmist’s declaration anticipates the fullness of salvation revealed in Jesus.
• “Selah”: A pause for reflection. The psalmist invites us to stop, consider, and meditate on the weight of God’s daily provision and saving grace.

3. Theological Insights

• God’s providence: Christian theology emphasises God’s sovereign care. Psalm 68:19 highlights His providence in daily life. He does not merely save once but continually sustains.
• Christological fulfilment: The daily bearing of burdens points to Christ, who says, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Christ is the ultimate burden-bearer.
• Covenantal faithfulness: God’s salvation is rooted in His covenant promises. The psalmist celebrates not only past victories but ongoing covenantal care.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Daily dependence: Modern life often prizes independence, yet Psalm 68:19 calls believers to daily dependence on God. Just as Israel relied on manna, Christians are called to trust God’s provision each day.
• Gratitude in worship: The verse begins with blessing the Lord. Christians should cultivate gratitude, recognising God’s daily mercies (Lamentations 3:22–23 [22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
  Because His compassions fail not.
  23 They are new every morning;
  Great is Your faithfulness.]).
• Burden-bearing community: Since God bears our burdens, believers are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2 [Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.]). The church becomes a reflection of God’s care.
• Hope in salvation: In times of trial, Christians can rest in the assurance that God is both the giver of daily benefits and the God of eternal salvation.

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[i] Psalm 68

New King James Version

The Glory of God in His Goodness to Israel

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 Let God arise,
Let His enemies be scattered;
Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
2 As smoke is driven away,
So drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the righteous be glad;
Let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name Yah,
And rejoice before Him.

5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families;
He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7 O God, when You went out before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 The earth shook;
The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain,
Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance,
When it was weary.
10 Your congregation dwelt in it;
You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord gave the word;
Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
12 “Kings of armies flee, they flee,
And she who remains at home divides the spoil.
13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds,
You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And her feathers with yellow gold.”
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it,
It was white as snow in Zalmon.

15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.
16 Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks?
This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in;
Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever.

17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
Even thousands of thousands;
The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.
18 You have ascended on high,
You have led captivity captive;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious,
That the Lord God might dwell there.

19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation;
And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

21 But God will wound the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, “I will bring back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
23 That your foot may crush them in blood,
And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

24 They have seen Your procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after;
Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.
26 Bless God in the congregations,
The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
27 There is little Benjamin, their leader,
The princes of Judah and their company,
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.

28 Your God has commanded your strength;
Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.
29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
Kings will bring presents to You.
30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds,
The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,
Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver.
Scatter the peoples who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!
Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God;
His excellence is over Israel,
And His strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.

Blessed be God!