In this book (Ps. 42-72) the circumstances the godly remnant find themselves in are far more trying than that of the first book. Antichrist will have risen in the land and be received by the apostate mass of Jews as their (false) Messiah (Jn. 5:4343I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (John 5:43), Dan. 11:36-3936And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:36‑39)). More than this, Antichrist will have set up an idolatrous image, the abomination of desolation (Mt. 24:15, Rev. 13:14-1514And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:14‑15)), in the temple and will be forcing all in the land to worship it. When the godly remnant, for conscience sake, refuse to worship the image, the bitter hatred of the Beast and Antichrist will be drawn out after them. They will unleash the most terrible persecution this world has ever known (Mt. 24:21-22, Dan. 12:11And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1), Rev. 12:1313And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (Revelation 12:13)) upon all in their realm who refuse to bow to the image and especially upon the godly remnant. This is the great tribulation which will continue for the last 3½ years of Daniel’s seventieth week. The key to the second book is Isa. 66:55Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. (Isaiah 66:5). On account of the city of Jerusalem and the land of Israel being given up to the wickedness of idolatry Antichrist will bring in and the terrible persecution he will cause, the godly remnant will be forced to flee out of Jerusalem (Mt. 24:15-21) to the mountains, the caves, and the dens of the earth for safety. In the first book they were seen going with the multitude to the house of God, but now they are no longer able to frequent the temple (Ps. 42:4, Ps. 55:14). They are viewed as cast out by their brethren. The psalms in the second book describe the feelings of the godly remnant during this period (the last 3½ years of Daniel’s seventieth week)
The Spirit of God has selected certain psalms that were written at different times and places when the writer was at a distance from the house of God. The headings of the psalms of this book indicate that most of them were composed at a time when David (a type of Christ) was not yet accepted by his people as their king. They were written when he and his faithful few (a type of the godly remnant) were in an outside place hunted by Saul and later by Absalom (both are types of Antichrist). These psalms form the background for the prophetic application when the godly remnant will be cast out by their brethren, the apostate Jews. In practically every psalm where the remnant are seen persecuted and under oppression, there is some indication that they are outside Jerusalem and at a distance from the temple and its privileges. Ps. 42:4, 6, Ps. 43:3-4, Ps. 44:11, 14, 19 (JND Translation— “the place of jackals”— the wilderness), Ps. 52 (heading), Ps. 55:6-7, 9, 14, Ps. 56 (heading), 8, Ps. 57 (heading), 9, Ps. 60:1, Ps. 61:2, Ps. 63 (heading), 1-2, Ps. 65:4-5, Ps. 66:13-15, Ps. 68:6, 13 (JND Translation, “the sheepfolds”— which are situated in the remote places of the countryside), Ps. 69:8, Ps. 71:20. As a result their prayers are not addressed to the LORD (Jehovah) as in the first book, but to God (Elohim) which denotes their distance from the sanctuary and lack of enjoyment of their covenant blessings. Elohim is used 164 times. Lord is used sometimes in this book but usually it is “Lord” (lower case letters which is Adonai) which is different from “LORD” (capital letters is Jehovah). These psalms addressed to God (so called Elohistic Psalms), Ps. 42-83, extend part way into the third book, to when the Lord judges Israel’s enemies and restores them to himself (Ps. 83:18). The psalms that follow (Ps. 84-150) are again addressed to the LORD (Jehovah) which signifies the establishment of His covenant relationship with His people Israel in reality (Ex. 6:2-42And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: 3And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. (Exodus 6:2‑4)).
Adding to the sorrow the godly remnant will suffer from the rejection of their brethren the apostate Jews, they will also experience oppression from the Gentiles, particularly the Arab nations into whose lands they have been forced to flee. The Gentiles who oppress them are referred to as “the enemy.” (See JND, “Synopsis of the Books of the Bible,” Ps. 42-44) Ps. 42:9-10, Ps. 43:2, Ps. 44:11-14, Ps. 54:3, Ps. 55:3, Ps. 56:1-2, Ps. 59:1-2, Ps. 64:1-2, Ps. 68:1.
Although the second book particularly focuses on the sufferings of the godly remnant in the great tribulation when they will be cast out by their brethren, some of the Psalms within the book look on to the remnant’s deliverance and the establishment of the Kingdom of Christ.
This book has been referred to as the Exodus section of the Psalms. In the book of Exodus, the children of Israel experienced in principle something of the same thing the godly remnant will experience in a coming day. The children of Israel were in a strange land (Egypt) away from the land of promise (Canaan) under the cruel affliction of a wicked king (Pharaoh). The godly remnant in these Psalms as we have noticed are also seen as away from the land of promise on account of the wicked king (Antichrist) ruling there. The children of Israel in the first chapters of Exodus were not in the knowledge of the Lord as Jehovah. So also the godly remnant will cry to God rather than the LORD. When the children of Israel in Egypt groaned under their oppression the Lord heard it and arose to deliver them eventually judging the cruel king (Pharaoh). Exodus begins with the moans and groans of God’s people and ends with their deliverance and the glory of the Lord descending upon His dwelling place on earth (Ex, 40:34-35). The second book of the Psalms also begins with the groans of the suffering remnant and ends with their deliverance in the glorious Kingdom of Christ.
The various series of psalms in the second book are; Ps. 42-49, Ps. 50-51, Ps. 52-60, Ps. 61-68 (See JND, “Notes and Comments,” vol. 3, p. 137), Ps, 69-72. Each group (except Ps. 50-51, which really is an appendix to the preceding series) begins with the remnant’s suffering (being cast out) and ends with the coming of the Lord in power to deliver them and establish His Kingdom.
Psalms 42-49
Psalm 42 The godly Jewish remnant cast out by their apostate brethren (Isa. 66:55Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. (Isaiah 66:5)) are described as a beleaguered deer far from its native waterbrooks panting for water. Cast down through discouragement they sorrow over their deprivation of the privilege to worship in the house of God (vs. 1-5) From outside the land (vs. 6) they cry to God to sustain them in their trial (vs. 6-11).
PSALM 43 Being cast out the godly remnant suffer under a double character of persecution: from their apostate brethren (“the ungodly nation,” vs. 1), and from the Gentiles (“the enemy,” vs. 2) into whose lands bordering Israel they have been forced to flee. The remnant call upon God (Elohim) to bring them back, that they might again approach the altar of God and enjoy the privileges of the temple (vs. 3-5).
PSALM 44 While the godly remnant wait for deliverance they recall an occasion in Israel’s history when the land was once before given up to wickedness and idolatry when the Canaanites possessed it, As they think upon the power of God that drove out the ancient idolators and brought in the children of Israel, they realize that if they are going to brought back it must be by the same divine power (vs. 1-8). Feeling the oppression of the Gentiles into whose lands they have had to flee (vs. 9-22), they call upon the Lord (Adonai) the more earnestly to come and deliver them (vs. 23-26)
PSALM 45 In answer to their cries in the previous psalms, the remnant exult as they see the Messiah coming in His royal majesty and power (vs. 15). The Lord as a conquering warrior King puts down His enemies with His sword of judgment (Deut. 32:4143). Having taken His throne in Zion (Jerusalem), the Lord owns and exalts the afflicted remnant and unites Himself with them in all His glory, as in a wedding, before the presence of all the earth (vs. 6-17). The queen is Jerusalem. The Kings’ daughters are the cities of Judah. The virgins are the godly remnant that have kept themselves unspotted from the abomination of desolation set up by Antichrist. The daughter of Tyre and the rich peoples are the converted Gentile nations (Zee. 2:11). All willingly bow before the King in homage.
PSALM 46 Psalms 46 to 49 open out the glorious results of the advent of the King. Psalm 46 shows that although the Lord has returned (Ps 45), the remnant are still not fully at rest in their land. They turn to God again for refuge and further deliverance as they see the Gentile nations (particularly those under Gog—Russia) rising up against them as waves of an angry sea (vs. 1-3). The seas are a well-known figure in Scripture of the rebellious nations of the earth (Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15), Ps. 65:7, Ps. 93:3-4, Isa. 17:1212Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (Isaiah 17:12), etc.). With the Millennium (the 1000-year reign of Christ) about to begin, indicated by the Lord dwelling in Zion as the “Most High,” (His Millennial name) He will not allow the city to be taken (vs. 4-5). Compare Isa. 59:19-2019So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. 20And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 59:19‑20), Zec. 9:8, 12:8, Nah. 1:99What do ye imagine against the Lord? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. (Nahum 1:9). The Lord rises up on behalf of restored Israel and destroys the heathen armies bringing peace to the troubled world (vs. 6-11).
PSALM 47 All enemies now having been put down, the earth is called to acknowledge Christ as King (vs. 1-2). Israel is then brought into the place of head over all nations (Deut. 28:1313And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (Deuteronomy 28:13), Ps. 18:43) according to the original purpose of God (vs. 3-4). Having established His Kingdom, the Lord returns to His throne in the heavens upon which He will reign as King over the whole world (vs. 5-9). Compare Ps. 103:19. The converted Gentile nations willingly join themselves to Israel and their God (vs. 9, JND Translation). See also Zec. 2:1111And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:11).
PSALM 49 The establishment of the Kingdom of Christ is announced to all the world. Both those of a low and high degree, the rich and the poor, are called not to trust in riches but in the Lord.
PSALMS 50-51 The next two psalms form an appendix to the previous series. They show the way the Lord will produce repentance in His people (Israel) which will ultimately lead to their blessing.
PSALM 50 Having taken His place in Zion, the Lord undertakes to judge His people whereby the wicked are purged from among the godly. Compare Ezk. 11:9-10, 20:34-38, The Lord first gathers His people before Him, then heaven and earth are called to witness the vindication of His righteousness in executing judgment on them (vs. 1-6). The righteous (“my people”) are reproved first for their empty ritualism. He admonishes them that true worship must be from the heart (vs. 7-15). Then the wicked are addressed. The Lord declares that they have no part with Him in His covenant because they hate the instruction of His Word, and condone evil, immorality, lying, and false witness (vs. 16-21). The psalm closes with an appeal to offer praise to God from the heart or be torn in pieces by His judgment (vs. 22-23).
PSALM 51 This psalm gives the response to the charges laid in the previous psalm. They were exhorted to call upon the Lord in the day of trouble (Ps. 50:15). Now broken in repentance the remnant do so. They pour out their souls in full confession of their sins. So deep is the repentance that they trace it to the root—the sin nature (vs. 1-6). They call on the Lord to thoroughly cleanse them from their sins and to restore the joy of salvation (vs. 7-13). The Jews (the two tribes) particularly will own “blood-guiltiness” in the death of Christ. See Mt. 27:25, Acts 2:23, 3:13-15. There is no attempt now to offer any outward legal sacrifices (compare Ps. 50:7-14). They have simply a broken and contrite heart which God only can accept. This leads to their full restoration (vs. 14-19),
Psalms 52-60
PSALM 52 This psalm begins a new series taking us back into the great tribulation where the godly remnant are seen suffering under persecution from their apostate brethren and Antichrist. The heading of the psalm indicates the remnant have had to flee. David and those associated with him at the time of his flight from Saul, are a picture of Christ identifying Himself in spirit with the godly remnant who must flee on account of Antichrist’s persecution of whom Saul is a type. Antichrist has lifted himself up as a mighty one among the apostate Jews and has been gladly received by them. The godly remnant, however, see his true character of wickedness (vs. 1-4). Assured that he cannot continue they foretell his doom (vs. 5-7), while for themselves they trust in the mercy of God and wait for His deliverance (vs. 8-9).
PSALM 53 Scattered in the land and among the Gentiles (Ps. 55:6-7, 9, 14, Ps. 56:8, Ps. 57:9, etc.) the remnant view the current of apostasy growing among men. They observe that the children of men have thrown off all recognition of God. They see that “everyone of them have gone back and become filthy; that there is none that doeth good, no not one.” Psalm 14 is quite like this psalm. The difference being that Psalm 14 is more a description of the Jewish fool whereas Psalm 53 is more the Gentile fool. The second book of the psalms views the remnant outside the city of Jerusalem and often the land of Israel as well where, in Gentile surroundings, they observe the apostasy among them.
PSALM 54 This psalm, again written from an outside place—the wilderness of Ziph where David and company fled from Saul, indicates the remnant have fled. Cast out they suffer under a double character of persecution; from the Gentiles (“strangers,” vs. 3) into whose lands bordering Israel they have fled, and from their own apostate brethren (“oppressors,” vs. 3). Confident that God will hear their prayers, the remnant look to the time when the Lord will deliver them and they will once more be at liberty to worship Him (vs. 4-7).
PSALM 55 This psalm was written when the heartbreaking news of the treachery of Ahithophel reached David and the people who had fled from Jerusalem (2 Sam. 15:3131And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. (2 Samuel 15:31)). It describes in its prophetic application, the sorrow the godly remnant will have when they learn the covenant with the Roman Beast (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)) has been broken (vs. 20). Suffering under persecution from both the Gentiles and the wicked apostate Jews (vs. 3), the godly remnant are overwhelmed with discouragement (vs. 4-5). Their only recourse is refuge in the wilderness (vs. 6-8) as they see the city of Jerusalem wholly given up to wickedness (vs. 9-11). Antichrist in all his deceitful wickedness had professed to be among the godly and went with them into the house of God in the first 3½ years of the tribulation (the first book of the Psalms), but now has turned against them. This casts the godly remnant upon God that they might be preserved.
PSALM 56 Again, this psalm was written when David was outside the land (see heading). The wandering remnant (vs. 8) continue to feel oppression from both their apostate brethren and the Gentiles. They turn to the Word of God for comfort, encouragement and guidance (vs. 4, 10). Having renewed confidence in God they lift up their hearts in praise while they wait for deliverance (vs. 10-13).
PSALM 57 The persecuted remnant having put their trust in God’s word (Ps. 56) turn to heaven for help. They realize that if deliverance is going to come it can only be from above. They look to God to send the Messiah for their deliverance (vs. 1-3). Still feeling the oppression from those who seek their lives (vs. 4-6), their hearts remain fixed and steadfast in God (vs. 7-11). Although the remnant are outside the land (“among the peoples”— Gentiles, JND Translation) and away from the temple, it does not stop them from praising God and exalting Him.
PSALM 58 This psalm describes the condition of things in the land of Israel just prior to the Lord’s coming (the appearing of Christ) to deliver the godly remnant. The government in the land under Antichrist, the willful king (Dan. 11:36-3936And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:36‑39)), is seen as wholly corrupted. The judges (government officials, etc.) work wickedness and violence. All righteousness is gone (vs. 1-5). The remnant realize that iniquity cannot go on unjudged. They cry to God that the wicked would be punished (vs. 6-11).
PSALM 59 While Antichrist continues to hunt the afflicted remnant (see heading), the city of Jerusalem is suddenly surrounded by Gentile nations (“dogs” vs. 5-6, 14). The Assyrian has entered the land and is proceeding to desolate it. This is the first attack of the Assyrian—the King of the North and his Arab confederacy, Dan. 11:40-4340And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. 41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. (Daniel 11:40‑43). Seeing the power of the heathen armies, the remnant cast themselves upon God that they might be preserved (vs. 9, JND Translation). They cry to God that He would judge the enemy (vs. 10-13), and look for the morning of their deliverance when the Sun of Righteousness (Mal. 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)) will arise with healing in His wings (vs. 16-17).
PSALM 60 Unlike the other psalms in this series which were written when Saul (a type of Antichrist) reigned and David (type of Christ) was not yet accepted by his people, this psalm was written when Saul was removed from reigning in Israel and David was made King. More than this the heading also indicates that David had triumphantly defeated the enemies of Israel (2 Sam. 8:3, 12-133David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. (2 Samuel 8:3)
12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. (2 Samuel 8:12‑13), 1 Ki. 11:1515For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; (1 Kings 11:15), 1 Chron. 18:1212Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. (1 Chronicles 18:12)). The setting of this psalm then prophetically views things at the time when Christ will have come back in power and judged the heathen nations who have made their inroads into the land of Israel as noted in the previous psalm. The remnant pray for the restoration of the nation of Israel who have been scattered to the four winds (Mt. 24:31—the ten tribes) vs. 1-5. In answer the Lord lays claim to Israel’s full inheritance on both sides of Jordan River (vs. 6-8). The closing verses show the armies of restored Israel being led out by the Lord in conquest to take possession of their rightful inheritance He has claimed for them (vs. 9-12).
Psalms 61-68
PSALM 61 This psalm begins a new series taking us back into the great tribulation where the godly remnant are again seen suffering under the persecution of Antichrist. The remnant feeling their isolation are overwhelmed with discouragement. They cry to God for help from outside the land (vs. 1-2). Although overcome with depression their faith rises to thank God for His preservation thus far. They look forward to the time when they will be brought back to the temple and its privileges (vs. 3-8).
PSALM 62 In this psalm the faith and confidence of the godly remnant rises higher still. Even though evil is prevailing around them, they are able to rest in God peacefully as they wait for deliverance. As they wait they encourage one another to trust in God alone (vs. 7).
PSALM 63 The remnant are still outside Jerusalem (see heading, “in the wilderness”) waiting for deliverance. Being deprived of the privileges of the temple they thirst for God. They acknowledge that nothing short of Him alone will satisfy their souls. They long to see His power and glory as they had in times past when they frequented the house of God in the first 3½ years (vs. 1-2). But now in the outlying places of the land deprived of the temple, they discover they can still enjoy the loving-kindness of God Himself. This leads their hearts out in praise to Him (vs. 3-7).
PSALM 64 The godly remnant continue to feel the double character of persecution from the Gentiles (“the enemy”) and from the apostate Jews who follow Antichrist (“the wicked” or “workers of iniquity”) vs. 12. They appeal to God about their persecutors who hunt them day and night (vs. 3-6). In answer to their many prayers, at last God suddenly intervenes (the appearing of Christ) to judge their adversaries and deliver them (vs. 7-8 JND Translation). Compare Luke 18:1-81And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1‑8). The whole earth will be made to fear God and to cringe before Him (vs. 9, Ps. 66:3, Ps. 81:15 JND Translation). Those who are righteous in heart will rejoice that the Lord has returned in judgment to put down the wicked and establish His Kingdom. With Christ viewed as having now come back, the name “LORD” (Jehovah) is appropriately used rather than “God” (Elohim) which is characteristic of the second book (vs. 10).
PSALM 65 This psalm together with following psalms of this series open out the glorious results of Christ’s return. Praise at first will be silent in Zion because Israel first needs to be restored to the Lord (vs. 1-2 JnD Translation). But after their sins are confessed and put away, they draw near to the Lord rejoicing in their salvation (vs. 3-5). After Israel is seen restored to the Lord and rejoicing in His presence, reference is made to the waves of the restless sea rising up. The sea is a well-known figure of the rebellious nations of the earth (Rev. 17:1515And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15), Ps. 46:2-3, Ps. 93:3-4, Isa. 17:1212Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (Isaiah 17:12), etc.). It is the nations led by Russia who will rise up after the Lord has returned and restored Israel. The Lord stills the waves of the raging sea with His mighty power. The nations that have gathered together in rebellion are put down (vs. 6-7). Afterward the Lord’s glory is manifested throughout the whole earth as the Millennium comes in (vs. 8-13).
PSALM 66 Restored Israel summons the earth to submit to the Lord and worship Him (vs. 1-4). The remnant will spread the knowledge of God and His ways to the nations declaring His goodness in delivering them (vs. 5-20).
PSALM 67 Israel becomes the channel of blessing to the people of the Millennial earth. They teach the nations to worship God.
PSALM 68 is a cap on the whole series. It is kind of a review or summary of the foregoing psalms. In a certain sense it could stand alone, complete in itself. The psalm begins with the cry of the remnant to God to arise and deliver them by scattering their enemies in judgment (vs. 1-2). This is followed by their rejoicing as they see the Lord coming (“riding upon the heavens”) for their deliverance (vs. 3-6). The Lord then is seen going forth to judge the armies of the kings that are gathered in the land. In the midst of the judgments executed on their enemies, the remnant is seen as a dove (an affectionate name the Lord uses for His beloved remnant—see {s 12176}Song of Solomon 2:1414O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. (Song of Solomon 2:14), etc.) with wings of silver and feathers of gold which speaks of them being in the good of redemption(vs. 7-14). As a victorious King, the Lord then secures Zion (“the hill of God”) for God, associating Himself with the remnant there (vs. 15-20). The occasion is correlated with Israel’s history at Sinai where they entered into a covenant with the Lord (Ex. 19, Heb. 9:18-2018Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. (Hebrews 9:18‑20)), but now it is a new covenant the Lord makes with His people (Jer. 31:31-3431Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:31‑34)). The ten tribes are also seen returning to the land from among the nations and joining the rejoicing (vs. 22). While all Israel is rejoicing before the Lord (vs. 24-29), another multitude of spearmen (warriors) gather for war (vs. 30). This perhaps is the armies of Gog attempting to overthrow re-established Israel (Ezk. 38:11-1211And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, 12To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. (Ezekiel 38:11‑12)). After these multitudes are judged, all remaining nations willingly submit to the Lord on account of His mighty power (vs. 31-35).
Psalms 69-72
PSALM 69 This psalm begins the final series in the second book again taking us back into the great tribulation when the godly Jewish remnant are found suffering under Antichrist. The remnant are hated without a cause by their apostate brethren (vs. 1-6). The Lord fully enters into their sorrow. The hatred they experience from the Jewish nation was perfectly felt by Him on the cross when He was hated by the nation without a cause (Jn. 15:23-2523He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. (John 15:23‑25)). Deeply feeling the reproach of their brethren on account of their zeal for Jehovah (vs. 7-12), they cry to Him for deliverance (vs. 13-21). The remnant pray for the destruction of the ungodly Jewish nation who are oppressing them (vs. 22-28). Their only encouragement is to look forward to the time when the Lord will intervene in judgment on their behalf. This causes them to rejoice with thanksgiving and praise (vs. 29-36).
PSALM 70 The remnant cry the more urgently (“make haste” is mentioned three times in five verses) to God to make a speedy return to deliver them from the oppression under which they are suffering from the apostate Jews.
PSALM 71 The remnant continue to cry to God for deliverance from the oppression under Antichrist— “the unrighteous and cruel man” (vs. 1-4). They look back at their whole trial through which they are passing and marvel at God’s miraculous preservation (vs. 5-8). The remnant feeling the wear of the ordeal compare themselves to an old man who has come to the end of his strength. Consequently they cast themselves upon the Lord’s strength (vs. 9-18). Deliverance finally comes for the remnant at the end of the psalm. They rejoice that God has done great things for them. This will be, of course, at the time when Christ as the Son of Man appears. They speak of being revived and brought up again from the depths of the earth (vs. 19-21 JnD Translation). As a result they sing praise to God for their deliverance and rejoice that they have been redeemed from the hand of their wicked oppressors who have been confounded and put to shame (vs. 22-24).
PSALM 72 With the godly remnant of Jews delivered (Ps. 71:19-24), the Kingdom of Christ is then established in power and glory. All nations are subdued under Him as He reigns supreme over all. This is the Millennium.