How does Psalm 68:20 emphasize God's role as our deliverer from death? The verse in focus “ Our God is a God of salvation; and to the LORD, the Lord, belong escapes from death.” (Psalm 68:20) Setting the context • Psalm 68 celebrates God’s victorious march from Sinai to Zion, picturing Him as Warrior, King, and Protector. • Verse 20 forms a climax: having defeated every foe, the Lord proves Himself the sole Source of salvation, even in the face of death. Key phrase breakdown • “Our God” – personal, covenant name; not a distant deity but One pledged to His people. • “is a God of salvation” – literally “a God of deliverances”; plural signals repeated, varied rescues. • “to the LORD… belong escapes from death” – deliverance isn’t borrowed or shared; He owns it. The Hebrew paints death as a trap whose exits are locked except by Him. Images of deliverance in Psalm 68 • v. 1–2 – enemies scattered like smoke. • v. 7–10 – God leads through the wilderness, provides rain and inheritance. • v. 11–14 – women proclaim victory; kings flee. • v. 19 – He “daily bears our burden.” • Culminating in v. 20, death itself must yield. God’s track record of rescue • Red Sea: “The LORD is my strength and my song… He has become my salvation” (Exodus 15:2). • Wilderness: “See now that I, even I, am He… I put to death and I bring to life” (Deuteronomy 32:39). • David’s life: “He rescued me from my powerful enemy” (2 Samuel 22:18). • Paul’s testimony: “He has delivered us… He will deliver us again” (2 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus—the ultimate fulfillment • Father’s promise finds its fullest expression in Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25-26). • At the cross He destroyed “him who holds the power of death… and free those who all their lives were held in slavery” (Hebrews 2:14-15). • Resurrection victory secures our future: “Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Living in the good of this truth • Confidence: whatever threat looms, even death bows to our Lord. • Gratitude: daily praise flows from a heart that knows each breath is a divine “escape.” • Courage: mission and ministry advance when death’s sting is removed. • Hope: funerals become testimonies—“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Our Deliverer not only breaks open death’s prison; He walks us out into everlasting life. |
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