Verse of the Day: Psalm 68:4-5
Verse of the Day
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Psalm 68:4-5
Sing 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. Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Introduction
These verses summon us into both awe and intimacy. God is portrayed as majestic—riding upon the clouds—and yet also deeply personal, caring for the most vulnerable. This dual picture invites us into a faith that praises God's power while resting in His tender mercy.
Commentary
Verse 4: “Sing to God, sing praises to his name...”
This opening phrase is a call to worship, urging the faithful to lift their voices in joyful reverence. The repetition emphasizes not only the act of praise but its importance in aligning the soul with God's glory.
“...lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds...”
This image evokes the divine warrior and king—a common motif in ancient Near Eastern literature. In Hebrew poetry, “riding the clouds” speaks of supremacy over nature and nations. It is a claim of sovereignty, yet here it is not a display of wrath, but of majesty worth celebrating.
“...his name is the LORD—be exultant before him.”
Naming God as “the Lord” (YHWH) reveals covenant relationship. To be “exultant before him” is to rejoice in the presence of a God who is both near and holy.
Verse 5: “Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
In sharp and beautiful contrast to His cosmic grandeur, God is also the defender of the weak. In ancient societies, orphans and widows had little to no legal or social standing. This verse reveals God's character as one who not only reigns from heaven but leans low to uplift the downtrodden. “Holy habitation” here emphasizes that God's justice is not distant but is rooted in His very nature.
Understanding the Context
Psalm 68 is a majestic and complex psalm of triumph and celebration, likely composed for a liturgical procession, possibly commemorating the ark’s journey to Jerusalem. It blends historical references, divine appearances, and cosmic imagery with personal and communal worship.
Verses 4–5 appear near the beginning as an invocation, setting the tone for the entire psalm. They introduce key themes: God's victory, His care for the oppressed, and His worthiness of praise. As the psalm continues, it weaves between God’s acts in Israel’s history and His ongoing protection of the righteous.
Application for Today
In a world still marked by injustice, neglect, and marginalization, these verses remind us that God has not changed. He is still the Lord who rides upon the clouds—unshaken by global turmoil—and He is still the Father to the forgotten.
Believers today are invited not only to worship God with joyful hearts but to embody His care for the vulnerable. The Church must reflect God’s character, advocating for the orphans, widows, refugees, and the poor. Every song of praise should be paired with acts of justice and compassion.
Reflection
O Lord, You are exalted above the heavens, yet You stoop low to lift the brokenhearted. Let my worship rise with the certainty of Your strength and fall gently with the compassion of Your love. Teach me to sing Your name with joy and to serve the forgotten with grace, for in doing so, I dwell near Your holy habitation. Amen.
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Verse of the Day is a daily inspirational and encouraging Bible verse extracted from BibleGateway.com. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
