Psalm 68

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 68

God Sets the Lonely in Families

4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds”his name is the LORD”and rejoice before him. 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. . . 19 Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. . . . 32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the LORD, 33 to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice. 34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. 35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 68:4-5, 19-20, and 32-3, KJV

What is God really like? What kind of a God do we have? Psalm 68:5 tells us that He is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. Verse 6 says He sets the lonely in families! (I like the way that is phrased.) He also leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. He daily bears our burdens (19), and He is a God who saves (20). He rides the ancient skies above and thunders with a mighty voice (33); His power is in the skies.(34) God is awesome; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people (35).

When I was a child I was afraid of thunder and lightening. One stormy night, however, my sister and I lay at the foot of our beds and watched the lightning strike again and again, and listened to the constant booming of the thunder. Right then, even as a small child, I knew I would never be afraid of thunder and lightening again, because as I watched the storms roll and twist, I knew that I was looking right at God's power being manifest in the storm! Every bolt of lightening was ordered by His command; every crack of thunder echoed His mighty voice. Here was something man could not do; he was helpless before the face of God.

Just think of what a mighty God we have! He rules over the skies and seas; He dwells among the mountain grandeur, and yet, He is never too busy to meet our needs. He's a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, and he even sets the lonely in families! He rules the heavens and earth, and yet knows when a single hair falls from our head.

Pray today that you would live this day in praise to such a Majestic and yet Personal God who is right there beside you no matter what you are doing.

Next: Psalm 69 - Those Who Love God Will Dwell in Zion

More Devotions on the 68th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions

Presence of God, verses 1-4

Holy Habitation, verses 5-6

Goodness of God, verses 7-10

The Lord Gave, verses 11-14

God Lives Among Us, verses 15-18

God of Salvation, verses 19-20

No Hiding Place, verses 21-23

Bless God, verses 24-29

Blessed Be God, verses 30-35