November 25
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LIKE THE WINGS OF A DOVE COVERED WITH SILVER
When you lie down among the sheepfolds,
You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver,
And its pinions with glistening gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered the kings there, It was snowing in Zalmon.
15 The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of God;
The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of many peaks.
16 Why do you look with envy, you mountains of many peaks,
At the mountain God has desired as His dwelling?
Indeed, the LORD will dwell there forever.
17 The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands;
The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness.
18 You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives;
You have received gifts among people,
Even among the rebellious as well, that the LORD God may dwell there. – Psalm 68:13-18
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Enduringword.com comments on verse 13 as: The people of God come from humble circumstances (they lie down among the sheepfolds), but they share in God’s great victory over their enemies and are graced with great blessings and gifts. “The wings of a dove, flashing silver and gold, have been taken to refer to Israel basking in prosperity (Delitzsch), to the enemy in flight (Briggs), to the glory of the Lord manifested at the battle (Weiser), or even to a particular trophy seized from the enemy.Verse 14 mentions snowing in Zalmon which is another name for Mount Ebal in central Israel, which many would consider more of a high hill than an actual mountain. The meaning of this line is not entirely clear and has been the source of much speculation.VanGemeren comments that “According to Judges 9:48, Zalmon (‘the Dark One’) is one of the mountains by Shechem.” “A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan which was an impressive mountain. Yet it and the other mountains seem to fume with envy when they see how God has favored Zion where He seats Jerusalem. Paul quoted Psalm 68:18 and applied it to Jesus, in Ephesians 4:8. Paul applied this to the ascension of Jesus into heaven and His sending of the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to His Church. David reflects on God’s great generosity to His chosen people. He equips them all with gifts for His kingdom.
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REFLECTION
• How are we using God’s gifts to further His kingdom?