Psalms 68:20

Analysis

He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. This verse proclaims God's sovereignty over life and death—He alone possesses the power to save and the authority to deliver from death. 'The God of salvation' (literally 'the God of salvations,' El moshaot, אֵל מוֹשָׁעוֹת, plural) emphasizes God's multiple, varied deliverances. He doesn't just save once but repeatedly, in diverse ways—physical rescue, spiritual redemption, healing, provision, and ultimately resurrection.

The phrase 'unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death' uses two divine names—'GOD' (Adonai, אֲדֹנָי, Lord) and 'the Lord' (YHWH, יְהוָה). 'Issues from death' (totsaot lamavet, תּוֹצָאוֹת לַמָּוֶת) means exits or escapes from death—God controls the doorways leading out of death's realm. Only He can deliver from Sheol, resurrect the dead, or grant eternal life. This wasn't fully developed theology in ancient Israel, where understanding of afterlife was limited, but it anticipated fuller resurrection hope revealed later.

For Christians, this verse finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ's resurrection. Jesus is 'the resurrection and the life' (John 11:25), and through Him, God has delivered the death blow to death itself (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Christ holds 'the keys of death and Hades' (Revelation 1:18)—He controls death's exits. Every believer's salvation ultimately culminates in resurrection, the final 'exit from death' when mortality puts on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53). Until then, we experience partial salvations—deliverances that point toward final deliverance.

Historical Context

Ancient Israelite understanding of death evolved over time. Early texts present Sheol as a shadowy underworld where all the dead dwell, regardless of righteousness (Genesis 37:35, Job 3:17-19). This stands in contrast to surrounding cultures—Egyptians had elaborate afterlife beliefs, Greeks spoke of Hades and Elysium. Israel's focus was on earthly life, covenant blessings, and generational continuity rather than individual afterlife.

However, later texts begin revealing clearer resurrection hope. Isaiah 26:19 speaks of the dead rising, Daniel 12:2 describes resurrection to everlasting life or shame, and Job 19:25-27 expresses confidence in seeing God after death. By the intertestamental period, Jewish thought included developed resurrection theology (though Sadducees rejected it, while Pharisees embraced it, Acts 23:8). This psalm participates in this developing revelation—God possesses 'exits from death' hints at power beyond Sheol's gates.

Jewish martyrdom literature (2 Maccabees) developed robust resurrection theology as martyrs faced death trusting God would resurrect them. The psalms' language of God delivering from death was reinterpreted eschatologically—not just temporal deliverance from danger but ultimate deliverance from death itself. Jesus' own resurrection confirmed this hope and revealed what the psalmist dimly anticipated: God is indeed the God of salvation who opens death's exit doors for His people.

Reflection

• How do you experience God as 'the God of salvations' (plural) in different areas of your life?
• What 'death situations' (hopeless circumstances, relationships, dreams) need God to provide an 'exit'?
• How does confidence in resurrection as the ultimate 'exit from death' affect your present trials?
• In what ways do you need to trust God's sovereignty over 'the issues from death' rather than fearing death's power?
• How can you live with the expectancy that Christ holds death's keys and no grave can hold God's people?