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The Psalm that Killed Jesus
Jesus was not claiming to be like the God of Psalm 68. Seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds, He was claiming to be Yahweh.
The night before the cross, the high priest put Jesus under oath by the living God. Tell us, he said, if You are the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus answered with words that room already knew.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.’” — Matthew 26:64
Today those words can sound like rank. Son of Man. The right hand of Power. The clouds of heaven. A hearer now may think Jesus was only saying He was important. A first-century Jew heard something far more dangerous. That language belonged to one Person.
The high priest tore his clothes. He called it blasphemy. That same night they handed Jesus over to die.
“Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, ‘He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.’” — Matthew 26:65
Psalm 68 is the victory song of the God of Israel. Let God arise, and His enemies are scattered. He rides the ancient skies. He ascends on high. He leads captivity captive. The psalm is not about a human king. It is not about a prophet. It describes Yahweh Himself, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the One who alone sits in the place of ultimate power.
“Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him.” — Psalm 68:1
“To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.” — Psalm 68:33
“You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Yah God might dwell there.” — Psalm 68:18
His name in that song is Yah, the short form of Yahweh.
“Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!” — Psalm 68:4
When Jesus said He would be seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds, He was not claiming to be like the God of Psalm 68. He was claiming to be the God of Psalm 68. He was saying, I am Yahweh.
That is why the high priest tore his clothes. That is why they called it blasphemy. That is why they decided He must die. They thought they were executing a blasphemer. They were rejecting the God of Psalm 68, standing in front of them in human flesh.
Three days later the tomb was empty. Forty days later, just as the psalm declared, He ascended on high, led captivity captive, and sat down at the right hand of Power. He did not only quote Psalm 68. He fulfilled it.
Use this when someone says Jesus never claimed to be God. The council did not miss the claim. Open Matthew 26 and Psalm 68 with them, and invite them to trust the One whose name is Yah.