Psalm 68:32 is one of the 120 Old Testament verses that
point to the urgent need for world missions outreach.
Psalm 68:32 calls people everywhere to sing praise to
the one true God.
The Apostle Paul asked, "How can people believe in (or
sing about!) Him of whom they have not heard?
As we "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20) we need to understand we are giving invitations
to join the worldwide choir and "sing praise to the Lord" (Psalm 68:32)!
World Missions: The Heart of God
"Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord" -- Psalm 68:32
"We cannot have too much singing to God," wrote Charles Spurgeon in comments on Psalm
68:32 for his Treasury of David book.
The Psalm 68:32 phrases about singing powerfully illustrate the priority God wants us to give to world evangelism. What's more, the idea of people around the world bursting out into songs of praise to God makes me think of those surprise "flash concerts" that choirs sometimes
give in public places (example of flash concert).
As I envision a global "flash concert" of praise to the Lord, I mentally unpack what Psalm
68:32 means for the cause of world missionary outreach:
Psalm 68:32 means that as we "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20) we need to include
invitations to join the worldwide choir that will "sing praise to the Lord!"
I hear a clear call in Psalm 68:32 to people everywhere to acknowledge the one true God, the God who reveals Himself to us through the pages of the Bible. This verse is not simply an
exhortation to be happy and to give praise to something or somebody. Psalm 68:32 calls all
people everywhere to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Perhaps the most obvious relationship Psalm 68:32 has with world evangelism is that it
calls to mind Paul's words to the Romans about those who have yet to hear the Gospel. Romans
10:14 asks: "How shall they believe in (or sing about!) Him of whom they have not
heard?" (more on Romans
10:14). The only possible answer to that question is that if people from every nation are
going to join us in singing to God, they do need to know about Him. The question we should be
asking each other is: If there are people alive today with little or no access to the Gospel,
shouldn't we be doing something to get the Good News to them?
Psalm 68:32 also gives us a glimpse of how global Christianity would become by this time in
world history. Those words were written a thousand years or more before
the birth of Jesus. At that time, it seems that little was known about the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob outside of the Middle East. Now, the People of God can be found all over the world.
These twenty centuries of Christian missionary work have been fruitful even though we still have
a ways to go to make sure that people from every tribe and tongue and "kingdom" hear the call to give praise to God.
Finally, scholars say Psalm 68 may be the oldest poem in the Book of Psalms. If it is, then
the words of verse 32 affirm that world missions apparently were, as Dave Davidson has said, "on God's mind from the beginning."
May all people everywhere praise God. Let's make sure they all -- every one of them -- get invited to join the choir!
Video: People from 50 countries sing "Amazing Grace"
Reflection Questions
In what ways could the words of Psalm 68:32 provide motivational fuel for the cause of world missionary outreach?
How might the content of Psalm 68:32 complement that of Romans 10:14 in making the case for world evangelism?
In what ways can it be said that Psalm 68:32 should call us to draw attention to the making of Christ-followers in all people groups?
Why can it be said that Psalm 68:32 reflects the idea that God's plan for world missions has been in place since the beginning?
-- Howard Culbertson,
This blogpost on a world missions Bible passage is one of more than three dozen in the "Heart of God" series published in Engage, a monthly online magazine. That series looks at what the Bible says about world missions.
Afterword: Giving People an Opportunity to Join the Choir Singing Praise to God
In Psalm 68:32, the psalmist calls upon all the kingdoms of the earth to sing praises to Yahweh, acknowledging His sovereignty and greatness. That verse makes clear the worldwide nature of the rule of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It invites all people,
regardless of nationality or status, to join in offering praise and worship to God. This verse should inspire Christians to support world missions outreach efforts. We must be make certain that people from every nation have the opportunity to hear the message of salvation and are invited to join that global choir.
Memorable Quotes About Psalm 68:32
"The kingdoms of the earth have been oblivious of the true God, but the time shall come when all nations shall magnify Jehovah."
— Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2, commentary on Psalm 68:32, (Hendrickson Publishers), p. 342.
"All the kingdoms of the earth are summoned to give glory to the God of Israel; for though he has special relation to Israel, yet he is the God of the whole earth." — Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. 3, commentary on Psalm 68 (Hendrickson Publishers), p. 580.
“Here is the missionary note that sounds clearly throughout the Psalter: the Lord's praise is destined for the ends of the earth.” — Derek Kidner, Kidner Classic Commentarioes, "Psalms 1–72: An Introduction and Commentary," (InterVarsity Press, 2014), p. 241
"It is a call to worldwide praise, anticipating the day when all nations will acknowledge God's reign and offer Him the worship due His name." — James Montgomery Boice, Psalms: Volume 2 (Psalms 42–106), commentary on Psalm 68:32, (Baker Books, 2005) p. 554