What is the meaning of Psalm 68:26? Bless God • The verse opens with a clear, joyful command: “Bless God.” In Scripture, to “bless” God is to speak well of Him, to praise His character and works (Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name!”). • This imperative assumes God is personally present and worthy of verbal, heartfelt adoration—our fitting response to His mighty deeds described earlier in the psalm (Psalm 68:4, 19). • The call is not optional for God’s people; it is a duty grounded in gratitude (Psalm 96:2). in the great congregation • Praise is meant to be expressed publicly. David envisions a full assembly of worshipers, reflecting passages like Psalm 22:25 (“I will praise You in the great assembly”) and Hebrews 10:25, where gathering together is urged. • Corporate praise: – Unites diverse believers around shared truth (Acts 2:46–47). – Magnifies God’s name more broadly than private worship alone (Psalm 35:18). – Encourages mutual edification as each voice strengthens the others (Colossians 3:16). • The scene anticipates future gatherings of all God’s redeemed (Revelation 7:9-12). bless the LORD • Repetition stresses intensity: first “Bless God,” now “bless the LORD,” using His covenant name. The psalmist urges worshipers not to let familiarity dull their fervor (Psalm 34:1). • “LORD” points to His faithfulness to promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15). Therefore praising Him is anchored in His unchanging covenant love (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Declaring His name in worship reminds the congregation of His unique identity versus all false gods (Deuteronomy 10:21). from the fountain of Israel • The phrase pictures Israel as a wellspring—both the physical lineage from Jacob and the spiritual community birthed by God’s promise (Isaiah 51:1-2). • Blessing “from the fountain” highlights: – Origin: God formed this people; praise bubbles up from the very source He created (Deuteronomy 33:28). – Continuity: Each generation is a fresh stream flowing out of the same covenant fountain (Psalm 78:4-7). – Mission: Israel’s calling is to let God’s praise overflow to the nations (Isaiah 12:3-4; Romans 11:17-18). • For believers today, this fountain imagery extends to all grafted into God’s family through faith (Galatians 3:29), inviting every redeemed heart to join the chorus. summary Psalm 68:26 urges God’s people to voice exuberant, corporate praise. We are to bless God—specifically the covenant “LORD”—together in the gathered assembly, recognizing that such worship arises from the very fountain of Israel, the people He created and sustained. Our shared heritage and shared salvation call us into one great chorus, proclaiming His glory before the world and for all generations. |
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