Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him.
Verse 2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God.
Verse 3But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy.
Verse 4Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds-his name is the Lord- be exultant before him.
Verse 5Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Verse 6God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land.
Verse 7O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
Verse 8the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
Verse 9Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished;
Verse 10your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
Verse 32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord, Selah
Verse 33O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
Verse 34Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.
Verse 35Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Devotion
This psalm is a collection of various themes expressing thanks to God: for deliverance from enemies; for attending to children’s needs; for protecting the orphan and widow; for being intimately connected to the plight of his children; for providing a home for the homeless; and for leading the prisoner to freedom.
The psalmist recalls that these opening words are based on the God whose faithfulness has been with his people from ancient times and through the wilderness years.
For all these and many other ways of God’s providential care, the psalmist concludes this Psalm with a hymn of praise to the God whose reign is over all the earth. This God of ancient days is the one whose mighty voice we hear today. This is the God of power and majesty over Israel and who still gives power and strength to his people today. What else can the psalmist conclude with than “Blessed be God!”
Prayer
O God of all power, majesty and might, we, the humble people of your flock, give you praise and glory for all your care showered upon us every day. In your tenderness and compassion hold us close to you as our shepherd this day and every day. Amen.