Here’s something interesting about David and the Israelites who lived in Old Testament times. They didn’t think very much about an afterlife. The first five books of the Bible make no reference to heaven or hell, and neither Moses nor David seem to have expected there to be a life after the one they lived on earth.

We who believe in Jesus know that he guaranteed eternal life to his followers, and his disciples expanded upon his teaching with hope, joy, and anticipation. But in the Old Testament, there are only a few vague references to an afterlife, and those who were moved to speak about it, like Job and Daniel, hardly knew what was meant by what they said.

Job had a vision of an advocate in eternity interceding for him with God, and he said his Redeemer was alive and that he would see him someday. But Job didn’t know who that Redeemer was or how to form a relationship with him.

Daniel received a prophecy in a vision that said, “Multitudes that sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) But Daniel had no idea why some people would rise to eternal life while others suffered everlasting contempt.

Old Testament people of faith believed that this life – on earth – was what counted. Their relationship with God was for their present; they couldn’t imagine anything more because they hadn’t heard about eternal life.

So when David wrote about God, he was writing about the facts of his current life, the things he experienced with God in real time.

Psalm 68 – David Sees God Coming

Many commentators regard Psalm 68 as the most difficult psalm to interpret in David’s entire body of work, but after many years of reading it, I have decided just to take it at face value. What David knew of God was based on God’s glorious works in the past, and David’s personal experiences with him in the present. This Psalm touches on both topics.

This Psalm announces that God is coming. Some commentators believe that David wrote it when he brought the Ark to reside in Jerusalem. But regardless of the occasion, David calls his people to get ready because God is on his way. He is so awesome that he will blow away his enemies. He is also so welcoming that he makes the righteous glad.

“May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them all away like smoke – as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Psalm 68:1-3

David compares God’s approach to a huge storm billowing up on the horizon.

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him – his name is the Lord.” Psalm 68:4

Who can stand in the face of Almighty God’s sweeping approach? Ironically, it’s the most vulnerable people, the ones other people have abandoned that God invites to be his friends.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” Psalm 68:5-6

Israel has Seen God Before

David’s mind roams back through history and he meditates on what God has already done for Israel, when he led them out of Egypt and to the foot of Mount Sinai.

“When you, God went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God the God of Israel.” Psalm 68:7-8

God provided for his people in the desert, and when he spoke the enemies of Israel fled in defeat. God captured Mt. Bashan and gave it to Israel. They couldn’t have taken it by themselves.

“The chariots of God are tens of thousands, and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to his sanctuary.” Psalm 68:17

From Mt. Bashan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, God made the blood of Israel’s enemies flow. He saved Israel from certain death by defending them.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” Psalm 68:19-20

God Comes Into View

As David thought about these things the procession of God came into view. There were singers and instrumentalists, and young women dancing. All of the tribes had turned out for this great occasion. God’s presence in Jerusalem was going to make it a destination for all the nations of the earth. With a surge of joy, David wrote,

“Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with a mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!” Psalm 68:32-35

The Conveyer Belt . . .

Reading five or six Psalms in one sitting is like trying to eat a meal from a moving conveyer belt. You can grab some of the good stuff, but a lot of it flies by before you can catch it. Fortunately, with Bible reading, you can back the conveyer belt up and take a second look.

Sometimes it’s a good idea to space the passages out across the day and read them individually. Read one or two in the morning and the rest throughout the day. Reading the Psalms at night is a great way to wind down and give your mind something good to think about while you sleep.

David didn’t write all of these Psalms at once. You can take your time and read them at your own pace.

Psalm 101, The Integrity Psalm

Psalm 101 was very important to me when we were raising four teenagers. I used it as a guide in my prayers for them and I called it the Integrity Psalm. The first part of the Psalm reminded me that I needed to start by praying for my own integrity.

“I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.” Psalm 101:2

Verses 3 through 8 are a great prayer list for anyone, but I often prayed through it with our children, Matthew, Andrew, Jonathan, and Melody, in my heart. Sometimes I got up at night and stood in their bedroom doorways praying for them as they slept.

My prayers included a plea that they would not look with approval on anything vile. The world is full of wicked things to see and hear. I prayed that they would despise such things.

Friends are very important and I prayed that our children would avoid faithless people with perverse hearts. I asked the Lord to help them see through people who slander others, and who are self-serving and narcissistic. I prayed that our children would love truth, hate lies, and be repulsed by liars. I also prayed that our three sons and our daughter would fight for justice and help silence the wicked in the land.

I believe God has answered those prayers for our children and now I pray the same things for our nine grandchildren. I want them to also be people of integrity.

Did I Miss Your Favorite Psalm?

The other three Psalms in our reading today were also packed with beauty and power, and maybe you preferred one of them to the ones I wrote about. The great thing is that you can now back up the conveyer belt and spend time with your personal favorite. Enjoy your time feasting on the riches of God’s Word.