In past eras of history, when there were wars between countries, the king would ride out to battle with his armies. We usually don’t see that today. The head of state might make a visit to their troops, but with rare exceptions, he does not take part in any battles. However, that was almost always done in the past. If the king stayed at home, safe and secure in his palace, he might have been branded a coward. Seeing their king right there with them gave the troops courage to fight bravely for their leader and country. When the battle was over, the victorious king would return home, riding into the capitol at the head of his troops, and receive a rousing welcome from all of his citizens. Our psalm today is one that speaks of Yahweh as a victorious king, and king of not only Israel, but of the whole world. Let’s take a quick look into this psalm, appropriate for the week celebrating the Ascension.
As our psalm opens, we see the people singing forth their praises to God with all their voices. It pictures that king, returning in triumph to his people, and the crowds cheer and clap their hands for him (vs. 1, 5-7). There have been some very large empires throughout history, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire, the British Empire to name some prominent ones. However none of them ever ruled over the whole earth. As we read in verse 2 we see that Yahweh is the great King over all of the earth. There isn’t a corner of this world, not a single country or place that He isn’t the ultimate ruler. Though we don’t see this expressed, God is the King of this world. It all belongs to Him, whether the people acknowledge His lordship or not. There is coming a day when Jesus will return, and He will enforce His rule over the whole world. He will reign over all nations, seated upon His throne (vs. 8).
Throughout history this world has seen many cruel rulers, many despots. They are cruel to their own people, and if given an opportunity, will expand their rule to other countries where they show cruelty to other people, as well. No one willingly sings praises to these rulers. This will not be the case with the Lord God. As we read throughout this psalm, the people are rejoicing in the rule of the Lord God. The tyrants of the past are not loved, but Yahweh is loved by His children.
Soldiers throughout history would frequently carry shields for protection, in addition to any armor they wore. One man would be assigned to carry the flag of the country and king, but often the country and king’s colors or symbols would also be painted on the shields. This would make it plain exactly who had their allegiance. The victorious king would not only seek to gain the enemy’s flag, but also gain control over all the soldiers, over their shields, so to speak. When a soldier lost his shield, he was in great danger, so the enemy would often try to knock the shields down, or take out the shield bearer. In verse 9 we read that the shields of the earth belong to God. Those of us who belong to Him, who are His children, have His ensign upon our shields. Yahweh will get the victory over each of His enemies. He will get their shields, and bring them into submission.
In verse 4 we read that God has chosen our inheritance. When the descendants of Jacob finally came into the Promised Land, after being in the wilderness for forty years, the land was divided up by tribes, and each family was given a portion of land which became their inheritance. This was an inheritance that had been promised to them since the time of Abraham. This was a good inheritance, not a plot of land in the desert or in a swamp. God has promised to each of His children, to those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, an even better inheritance. We can trust Him to choose for us something wonderful. As Paul said, what God has prepared for us will be beyond what we’ve ever seen or heard about (I Corinthians 2:9).
In closing, this is a good psalm to proclaim the Kingship of Jesus with Ascension Day this Thursday. On Ascension Day Jesus returned back into heaven to be seated upon His throne at the right hand of God the Father. He was bodily taken up into the sky, into the clouds, in the sight of His disciples. In verse 5 we read that God is gone up with a shout and the sound of trumpets. Shouts and trumpets signify the victory a king has over his enemies. The Ascension was a victorious moment for Jesus. He has the victory over Satan. Let us sing God’s praises as we celebrate His victory!
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