Psalms 68:20
He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
Psalms 68:20 (KJV)
Context
Psalm 68 is a triumphant song of praise, traditionally attributed to King David. It celebrates God’s power, majesty, and faithful care for His people. The verse before this one says that God daily bears our burdens and is our salvation. Verse 20 continues that thought, declaring that the God who carries us is also the God who saves and who holds the keys of life and death.
Meaning
The phrase “He that is our God” means God is for us. He is not distant or indifferent; He is personally on the side of His people. “The God of salvation” literally means “God for salvations,” showing that He gives deliverance of every kind: physical rescue, spiritual freedom, and eternal life. The words “the issues from death” refer to escapes, ways out, or outcomes of death. This verse teaches that God alone controls the outcome of death. He can bring a person out of danger, and He can raise the dead. No enemy, not even death itself, is beyond His authority. This truth gives believers confidence that their lives are safe in His hands, and it assures them that He is able to save to the uttermost.
Biblical connections
The New Testament shows this truth fulfilled in Christ. Hebrews 2:14-15 explains that Jesus shared our humanity so that through His death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, the devil, and free those who lived in fear of death. Romans 6:23 adds that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. So the God who saved Israel from enemies and from death is the same God who brings believers through death into everlasting life. His power over death is not limited to the past; it remains active for every believer today, offering both physical deliverance and spiritual resurrection.
Application
Trust in God’s salvation. Salvation is not earned by human effort; it is a gift from God. Receive it through faith in Jesus Christ, who delivers from sin, guilt, and eternal separation from God. Surrender to God’s sovereignty. Acknowledge that He has control over all circumstances, even those that seem hopeless. When facing illness, danger, or loss, turn to Him in prayer and seek His deliverance. He can bring you through any trial, and He will sustain you with His strength. Praise and worship God for His saving power. Like the psalmist, give thanks that the God who is for you is also the God who holds your life in His hands. Let this truth shape how you face each day, knowing that your future rests securely with Him and that His salvation covers every need.
Reflection
Death is the greatest fear for many people, but this verse gives solid ground for hope. The God who saves is the God who owns the issues from death. Because He raised Jesus from the grave, believers can face the end of earthly life without terror. He who daily carries our burdens will also carry us through the final door. This assurance calls for quiet confidence and joyful praise, knowing that our lives and our deaths rest in the hands of a faithful God.
