November 23
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GOD MAKES A HOME FOR THE LONELY AND LEADS PRISONERS FREE
May God arise, may His enemies be scattered,
And may those who hate Him flee from His presence.
2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before a fire,
So the wicked will perish before God.
3 But the righteous will be joyful; they will rejoice before God;
Yes, they will rejoice with gladness.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Exalt Him who rides through the deserts,
Whose name is the LORD, and be jubilant before Him.
5 A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy dwelling.
6 God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious live in parched lands. -Psalm 68:1-6
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Based on a commentary by enduring word.com, most commentators believe this psalm is connected with the coming of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), celebrating not only that event, but also the faithfulness of God to give Israel victory over her enemies, and to make Jerusalem secure enough to bring the ark into the city. Verse 1 uses the phrasing of Numbers 10:35, David proclaimed the triumph of God over all His enemies. When God goes forth, no opponent can stand against Him. They are all scattered. Since Moses said those words when the ark of the covenant led Israel from Mount Sinai, David knew it was appropriate to say the same words as the ark came to Jerusalem, its resting place. As David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), he made a dramatic historical connection.
These first 6 verses emphasize what God does for His own people and how they should exalt him and sing praises. In verse6, I was particularly struck how he cares for the lonely and leads prisoners out of captivity into prosperity. We live in a very isolated and lonely world and in bondage to this world system and sins. We are admonished to give up rebellion in verse 8 for they are not blessed by God.
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REFLECTION
• How can you help the lonely and the captives from their helplessness?