EGW WritingsPsalms 68

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 14, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 14, 1906, par. 12

“But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to His name. Extol Him that rideth upon the heavens by His name JAH, and rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless and a judge of the widows is God in His holy habitation.” [Psalm 68:1-5.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 37, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 37, 1898, par. 9

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God: He is terrible in His doing to the children of men.” [Psalm 66:1-5.] This psalm, and portions of the sixty-eighth and seventy-second Psalms were often sung by Christ. Thus He taught others.

Radiant Religion

Let the Righteous Be Glad, January 5

RRe 7.1

Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Psalm 68:3.

The Ministry of Healing

Widows and Orphans

MH 202.4

“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive;
And let thy widows trust in Me.” Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 54:5, A.R.V.; Jeremiah 49:11.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 4, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 4, 1895, par. 17

Compare this with the words of Christ in the New Testament: “A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law, how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and will all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” [Luke 10:25-28.] “A father of the fatherless and a judge of the widow, is God in his holy habitation.” [Psalm 68:5.] “The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and the widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.” [Psalm 146:9.] “If thy brother be waxen poor, and falleth into decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 29—Satan’s Enmity Against the Law

PP 340.1

Never since man was created had there been witnessed such a manifestation of divine power as when the law was proclaimed from Sinai. “The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.” Psalm 68:8. Amid the most terrific convulsions of nature the voice of God, like a trumpet, was heard from the cloud. The mountain was shaken from base to summit, and the hosts of Israel, pale and trembling with terror, lay upon their faces upon the earth. He whose voice then shook the earth has declared, “Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” Hebrews 12:26. Says the Scripture, “The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter His voice from His holy habitation;” “and the heavens and the earth shall shake.” Jeremiah 25:30; Joel 3:16. In that great coming day, the heaven itself shall depart “as a scroll when it is rolled together.” Revelation 6:14. And every mountain and island shall be moved out of its place. “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.” Isaiah 24:20.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 20—Gain that is Loss

COL 256.2

The situation of the poor, the orphan, the widow, the suffering, the afflicted, was brought to this rich man’s attention; there were many places in which to bestow his goods. He could easily have relieved himself of a portion of his abundance, and many homes would have been freed from want, many who were hungry would have been fed, many naked clothed, many hearts made glad, many prayers for bread and clothing answered, and a melody of praise would have ascended to heaven. The Lord had heard the prayers of the needy, and of His goodness He had prepared for the poor. (Psalm 68:10.) Abundant provision for the wants of many had been made in the blessings bestowed upon the rich man. But he closed his heart to the cry of the needy, and said to his servants, “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”

Prayer

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11.

Pr 296.1

When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we ask for others as well as ourselves. And we acknowledge that what God gives us is not for ourselves alone. God gives to us in trust, that we may feed the hungry. Of His goodness He has prepared for the poor. Psalm 68:10. And He says, “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors.... But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14.

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing

“Give us this day our daily bread.”—Matthew 6:11.

MB 111.1

When we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we ask for others as well as ourselves. And we acknowledge that what God gives us is not for ourselves alone. God gives to us in trust, that we may feed the hungry. Of His goodness He has prepared for the poor. Psalm 68:10. And He says, “When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors.... But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 125, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 125, 1897, par. 1

We are living amid the perils of the last days, and how can we reach the common people? Christ tried to work with the highest dignitaries of the nation. But they would not receive Him, because He told them the truth. They had exalted ideas of their own piety. They would not be instructed. They thought their work was to instruct others, not to be instructed themselves. But of the poor the Scriptures testify, “The common people heard him gladly.” [Mark 12:37.] “Thou, O God, hast preserved thy goodness for the poor.” “The Lord gave the word; great was the company of them that published it.” [Psalm 68:10, 11.]

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9

Section 2—Literature in Service [A portion of this matter was published first in 1908.]

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” Psalm 68:11.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 16—“Lost, and Is Found”

COL 206.2

Your heavenly Father will take from you the garments defiled by sin. In the beautiful parabolic prophecy of Zechariah, the high priest Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garments before the angel of the Lord, represents the sinner. And the word is spoken by the Lord, “Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.... So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments.” Zechariah 3:4, 5. Even so God will clothe you with “the garments of salvation,” and cover you with “the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10. “Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” Psalm 68:13.

Temperance

Chapter 5—Help for the Tempted

Te 125.4

“Though ye have lain among the pots,
Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And her feathers with yellow gold.” Psalm 68:13.

The Ministry of Healing

Disappointments; Dangers

MH 182.7

“Though ye have lain among the pots,
Yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And her feathers with yellow gold.” Psalm 68:13.

The General Conference Bulletin

December 1, 1895

GCB December 1, 1895, Art. A, par. 15

Arise, and go unto your Father and say, “I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight. I am no more worthy to be called thy son.” (R.V.) He will meet you a great way off; he will give you his love and compassion; he will clothe you with the garments of salvation, and cover you with the robe of righteousness. “Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” Isaiah 61:10; Psalm 68:13. He will bring you into his banqueting house, and his banner over you shall be love. Song of Solomon 2:4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 93, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 93, 1892, par. 27

Those who have been allied to the world should heed the invitation of the Lord. He says, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] For “though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.” [Psalm 68:13.] The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness are to shine upon you, that you may be beautified with holiness.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 134, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 134, 1897, par. 1

“God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto the King, sing praise. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” [Psalm 47:5-7.] “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascendeth on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.” [Psalm 68:17, 18.]

Sons and Daughters of God

In Recognizing God as the Giver of All Gifts, May 25

SD 152.1

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19.

From the Heart

True Christians Are Happy, May 5

FH 137.1

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Psalm 68:19.

Homeward Bound

The Science of Salvation, January 26

HB 41.1

Our God is the God of salvation.—Psalm 68:20.

Sons and Daughters of God

To Be a Strength to All Nations, February 7

SD 44.1

Thy God hath commanded thy strength; strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. Psalm 68:28.

Conflict and Courage

For Everyone, August 18

CC 236.1

Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Psalm 68:31.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 31—Hope for the Heathen

PK 370.1

In the years that followed the occupation of the Promised Land, the beneficent designs of Jehovah for the salvation of the heathen were almost wholly lost sight of, and it became necessary for Him to set forth His plan anew. “All the ends of the world,” the psalmist was inspired to sing, “shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.” “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” “The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.” “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For He hath looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” Psalm 22:27; 68:31; 102:15, 18-22.

The Review and Herald

June 17, 1915

RH June 17, 1915, Art. A, par. 9

In the years that followed the occupation of the Promised Land, the beneficent designs of Jehovah for the salvation of the heathen were almost wholly lost sight of, and it became necessary for him to set forth his plan anew. “All the ends of the world,” the psalmist was inspired to sing, “shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.” Psalm 22:27. “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Psalm 68:31. “The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.” “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” Psalm 102:15, 18-22.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 31—Isaiah’s “Good News” for All the Nations

SS 195.3

No distinction of nationality, race, or caste is recognized by God. All men are one by creation; all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions and places them within reach of the throne of God. “All the ends of the world,” the psalmist was inspired to sing, “shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.” “Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” “The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.” “From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem; when the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” Psalm 22:27; 68:31; 102:15, 19-22.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 44, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 44, 1898, par. 10

As Christ ascended, His hands were outstretched in blessing upon His disciples. While they stood gazing upward to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, He was received by the heavenly throng into the rejoicing ranks of cherubs and seraphs. And as they escorted Him to His heavenly home, they sang in triumph, “Sing unto the Lord, ye kingdoms of the earth: O sing praises unto the Lord, that rideth upon the heaven of heavens.” [See Psalm 68:32, 33.]

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 3—The Great Commission

AA 32.3

While the disciples were gazing upward to catch the last glimpse of their ascending Lord, He was received into the rejoicing ranks of heavenly angels. As these angels escorted Him to the courts above, they sang in triumph, “Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord, to Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens.... Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, and His strength is in the heavens.” Psalm 68:32-34, margin.

That I May Know Him

Revealing Christ in the Crisis, December 5

TMK 345.1

O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:35.