Psalms 68:32 - Meaning and Application

The psalmist has prayed for, and foretold, the conversion of the Gentiles. Now he invites them to join the faithful Israelites in praising God. Their joining the church would be a cause of joy and thanksgiving, so he says, “Let the kingdoms of the earth sing praises to the Lord” (Psalm 68:32). All people ought to do this, and when they become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, they will do it.

God is shown to them as the right object of praise for several reasons. First, because of his supreme rule: “He rides on the ancient heavens” (Psalm 68:33). He has ruled from the beginning, even before time. He has prepared his throne and sits above all, guiding the movements of the heavens. From the highest heavens, where his glory dwells, he sends down the power and goodness that reach this world.

Second, he is worthy of praise because of his awesome majesty. “He sends out his voice, a mighty voice” (Psalm 68:33). This may point to thunder, which is called the voice of the Lord and is full of power and majesty (Psalm 29:3, 4). It may also point to the thunder at Mount Sinai, where God spoke to Israel.

Third, they should praise him because of his great power. “Ascribe strength to God” (Psalm 68:34). That means admit that he has such overwhelming power that fighting against him is foolish, while submitting to him is wise. His power is enough to protect his faithful people and to destroy his stubborn enemies. He deserves glory for every display of his power. “Yours is the kingdom and the power, so yours is the glory.”

We must recognize his power in two ways. In the kingdom of grace, “His majesty is over Israel.” He shows his loving care in guarding and ruling his church. That is the glory of his power, because he uses it for the good of his people. In the kingdom of providence, “His strength is in the clouds.” From there come the thunder of his power, the light rain, and the heavy rain. Even though God’s strength is in the clouds, he still gathers his Israel under the shadow of his wings (Deuteronomy 33:26).

Fourth, God should be praised because of the glory of his sanctuary and the wonders done there. “O God, you are awesome from your holy places” (Psalm 68:35). Everyone who comes before him in his holy places, hears his word, sees his works, and offers him worship should stand in reverent fear. From his holy places, he shows what makes clear that he will be honored as holy by all who draw near to him. He also shows himself as a terrible God from heaven, his holy place above. No attribute of God is more frightening to sinners than his holiness.

Fifth, he is worthy of praise because of the grace he gives his people. The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to his people. The gods of the nations, which were nothing and a lie, could not do that for their worshipers. How could they help others when they could not even help themselves? All Israel’s strength against their enemies came from God, and they admitted they had no strength of their own (2 Chronicles 20:12). In the same way, all we need for spiritual work and spiritual battle comes from God’s grace. We can do all things only through Christ who strengthens us, and never otherwise. So Christ must have all the glory for all that we do (Psalm 115:1), and we should give him humble thanks for enabling us to do it and for accepting the work of his own hands in us. If the God of Israel gives strength and power to his people, then they should say, “Blessed be God.” If everything comes from him, then let everything be for him.