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In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, the spell of the White Witch has made it always winter in the land of Narnia but never Christmas. When the curse is broken, the effects of the long winter are reversed: the icy river thaws, trees blossom, and the snow melts to reveal the lush landscape. The signs of spring are the dawn of new life and change. They are also the result of Aslan’s return and foreshadow his redemption. We find similar signs of restoration in today’s reading.
Psalm 68 is a memoir of the journey of God’s people from Sinai to Jerusalem. From Egypt and throughout the wilderness wandering, God guided and sustained His people. From out of the wasteland, God led His people into the Promised Land; His enemies were scattered (v. 1) and kings and armies fled in haste (v. 12). Then He established His throne and dwelling place in Jerusalem (vv. 16, 29).
Paramount to Psalm 68 is the revelation of God’s character and conduct along the journey (vv. 1-7). The psalmist employs four distinct names of God that accentuate specific aspects of who He is. The most frequent is “God” or Elohim in the original Hebrew language, a common name for God. Adonai appears as “Lord” in English and emphasizes God as master (vv. 11, 17, 19). “The LORD” symbolizes God’s covenant faithfulness to His people (vv. 4, 16, 18; cf. Ex. 3:13-14). Finally, Shaddai is “Almighty” and highlights God’s power and strength (v. 14).
Also notice the descriptions of God’s actions in Psalm 68 (vv. 5-6). God advocates for vulnerable people. In all four illustrations, God reverses the plight of the people. God fathers the orphans; He protects the defenseless widow; He restores people once isolated to community; and He frees captives. Along the journey, God has demonstrated who He is: Almighty God, Eternal King, Father, Savior, and Renovator. Psalm 68 ends with a call to worship grounded in the assurance that God daily bears our burdens (v. 19).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Tucked within Psalm 68 is a picture of how the righteous, those who love God and follow Him, respond to God’s character: gladness, joy, and praise (vv. 3-4). They glorify Him for who He is. Identify a characteristic of God from our passage that is meaningful to you. Perhaps you have experienced His fatherly care or protection in the past, or maybe you desire to see His restoration or kingly rule. Today worship God for who He is: acknowledge His character and praise Him for His deeds.
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