This is a challenging Psalm to read and understand. I had to do some research on various views/commentaries before attempting to comment on it. I came across this interesting quote from Adam Clarke (famous Methodist theologian and biblical scholar from late 1700’s to early 1800s’): “I know not how to undertake a comment on this psalm: it is the most difficult in the whole Psalter.” Well, here it goes.
“God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel – he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!” (v1-3,7-8,19-20,28-29,32-35)
This Psalm has a flow and can be somewhat broken up into a narrative:
Section 1 :: God is sovereign over all
v1-3 :: God is victorious over His enemies
v4-6 :: We are to sing praises to the triumphant God
Section 2 :: God fights and wins the battles for His people
v7-10 :: God is present and powerful with His people in the wilderness
v11-14 :: God defeats all of the kings who oppose Israel
v15-18 :: God is victorious on the mountains and claims one for Himself
Section 3 :: Praising God who wins the battles for His people
v19-23 :: God rescues His people in/from the battle
v24-27 :: The parade/procession of the Ark into Jerusalem
v28-31 :: Confidence ans assurance of future victory
v32-35 :: All peoples of the earth praise the one true God
Since an entire book could be written about this Psalm (it’s that complex) I will limit myself to an overview of the contexts the narrative describes.
The first stanzas (v1-10) depict Israel in the setting of Numbers 10 – Israel begins journeying from Mount Sinai toward the promised land, with Ark of the Covenant at the front and all of Israel (roughly 2.4 million people) in procession behind it. In v1 David actually quotes the words of Moses: “And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.’ ” (Num 10:35)
The next several verses (v11-23) depict the events of Jos 6-11 where the bulk of the wars and victories over the promised land occur. Jos 12 lists the many kings that were defeated by God during Moses’ and Joshua’s leadership of Israel, including the one who controlled Mount Bashan mentioned in this Psalm.
The next block of verses (v24-27) depict the events of 2 Sam 6 where David finally brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. There is a massive procession of 30,000 people, which included many instruments and praises being sung to God. Not even the Rose Parade is that grand.
The final block of verses (v28-35) depict David’s present circumstances as well as his hopes and dreams for the future, where the remaining enemies of the Lord will be defeated, and all of the world will recognize the God of Israel as the one true King.
Overall, this Psalm encapsulates the past, present and future in a gripping narrative that focuses on our mighty God who goes before us and wins the battles before we even need to face them. Our only role is to submit to Him and be attentive to His leading. Sure, He may ask us to fight in the battles, but He gives us everything we need – the victory is His, we are simply the soldiers and servants, the hands and feet carrying out His will for our lives.
Almighty God, the one who goes before us, and the one who guards our rear, holy is your name. Your kingdom is being built here on earth, one heart at a time. Please continue to further Your kingdom, in accordance with Your will, by working in and through Your servants. We rely on Your strength, Your provision, and Your leadership each and every day, as well as Your forgiveness when we don’t listen to Your guidance. May we also forget the sins done against us, and stand firm in the faith that You are the only righteous judge, our calling is to forgive. Please deliver us from our enemies, including the sin within our flesh, so we may remain pure for Your purposes. We bow before You, our Lord and our King. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training