Tehilim Perek 68

Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, and today we’ll be discussing Tehilim, Chapter 68. Due to its length [36 pessukim], this is the first in several classes on the perek.

Most Meforshim explain that Dovid said this perek in praise to Hashem for all the wars that he had won throughout his life. Hashem had performed wondrous miracles for Dovid’s soldiers, constantly sustaining them with proper food and allowing them to defeat the many nations against whom they fought.

Although there’s no specific mention of it in this perek, the Radak learns that Dovid said this chapter prophetically. It is explained in in Sefer Melachim Beis, chapters 18 and 19, that during the time of King Chezkiyah, when Yerushalayim was under siege by the Assyrian army, Hashem had sent a plague that wiped them out. Keep in mind that at this time the Assyrian army had already exiled the 10 tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael, which made the miracle even more impressive.

Check out the NachDaily archives on Melachim Beis, chapters 18 and 19, for further information.

The chapter begins with Dovid asking God to disperse His enemies and melt them like wax. The resulting downfall of evil will allow the Tzaddikim to revel in happiness.

In verse 5, Dovid calls upon everyone to sing to God, the father of orphans and defender of widows.

The psalm recalls that at Har Sinai the entire earth quaked and the heavens rained. God is so good, and takes care of all the needy.

In verse 12 the perek switches to relate His greatness, allowing Dovid to win wars, as no army can withstand His might.

Hashem’s Presence will always reside on His holy mountain. There are thousands upon thousands of chariots in the form of angels who were present on Har Sanai when God gave us the Torah.

From verse 20 until the end, the chapter continues to relate God’s omnipotence. Life and death both belong to He who has always brought redemption to Am Yisrael.

Yisrael saw all Your ways, and sang to You. You have given us from Your strength to conquer our enemies, and we draw from it to serve You in your Beis Hamikdash, where the nations of the world will serve You.

Dovid ends by referring to the times of Mashiach and the final redemption, calling upon all the kingdoms on earth to sing to God, the most High. It is truly He Who gives blessings to all mankind, and He bestowed His majesty upon Yisrael.

At the time of the final redemption, the inextricable connection between the Jewish nation, God, and His Torah will be apparent to everyone. The world will flock to Har Habayis, the Temple Mount, to serve God and feel His presence.

B’H, we can see how the world is now obsessed with Eretz Yisrael and specifically the Temple Mount. The fact that much of the world is against the Jews owning it is only in preparation for the final redemption, when all the nations of the world will unite to proclaim that the God of the Jewish people is the true God of heaven and earth Who gives the land to whomever He deems fit.

May we have deep emunah that just as God saved us at the time that Dovid wrote this chapter, He will again save us with the revelation of Mashiach Ben Dovid.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.