February 27thPsalm 68
The Rider in the Sky
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation! (68.19)
Our God is coming to us (v.1-6)
Our psalmist begins with petition: ‘Let God rise up, let God’s enemies be scattered.’ Our psalmist does not doubt that there will be a decisive sorting out between those who are God’s friends and those who are God’s enemies. But note well: these ‘evil-doers’ are not the enemy of the one who prays, but are enemies of God, therefore God must respond.
Verse 3 expresses the wish that the righteous be joyful “before the face of God.” The picture is that of God’s people freed from persecution by enemies, celebrating joyfully in the presence of God.
Now the script for the celebration is supplied (v.4-6). A worship leader calls the people to sing a hymn! These verses sound a triple call to the congregation to praise God: “sing to God, sing praises to his name, lift up a song to him.” They indicate that there are reasons for praising God: Our God is the Guardian and Guarantor for the socially disenfranchised, the Protector of widows and Father to orphans. Such praising makes sense because of what God has done and continues to do.
Our God is marching before us (v.7-18)
The psalm continues to give reasons for praising God (v.7-10). The imagery shifts from God as Cloud Rider to the picture of God as leading a parade of his people as they march through the desert! The whole earth quakes at the magnificence of this event. But the merciful dimension of God’s action toward the people is also present: God sends rain on the crops, as a Good Shepherd provides a place for them to live, even the needy among them.
Our God is dwelling with us (v.19-27)
The theme of the power of God continues, as does worship of this God. References to the Exodus (v.22) and to the celebrations (v.24-26) are prominent. Note that this is not triumphal worship, that is, the congregation does not celebrate its own might or accomplishments. Rather it is the covenant God who accomplishes their deliverance. We remember that God is not merely a mighty Warrior who scatters his enemies for the fun of it, or for the thrill of the battle, or for the purpose of just showing off. Rather, God “fights” for the vulnerable and the dispossessed.
Our God receives universal praise (v.28-35)
To praise the God who is the protector of the vulnerable (verses 5-6) and the provider for the needy (verse 10) means to conform oneself to God’s will, to join God at God’s work in the world. The verb translated “Blessed” means more literally “to fall on one’s knees in obeisance to” — that is, in submission to God. Such submission to God leaves no room for self-serving triumphalism.
In keeping with the triumphal tone of the psalm, the final section (verses 32-35) contains four occurrences of a Hebrew word translated “mighty” (verse 33) and “power” (twice in verse 34 and once in verse 35). Power belongs to God (verses 33-34), but God also “gives power and strength to his people” (verse 35).
So…Let God rise up. Ascribe power to God, the rider in the heavens. Blessed be God! This is the language of praise; we know the powers that erode and seek to destroy life are limited. They do not yet know the God who overcomes death in new life. This song belongs to the lowly, who in the midst of the powers of this world, remember and hope for the victory of God. All join in celebrating the God of creation and life, who has decisively defeated the power of death.
This psalm is often read on Ascension Sunday. When Jesus was lifted up and taken into heaven he became the “cloud rider,” now seated at the heavenly throne of power. And the God to whom Jesus prays is the Father and Protector not only of the orphan and widow (Psalm 68:5) but of all God’s people (John 17:11). This God is the Holy Father who gives his Son Jesus authority over all people (John 17:1-2,11). Believers who are suffering can let their weight down on the promise that they should “Cast all your anxiety on [God] because God cares for you… 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5.7,10-11).