Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11

This week’s responsorial psalm is from Psalm 68, a hymn that highlights God’s power and justice, especially his compassion for the poor, the orphan, and the widow.

It’s a fitting choice for this Sunday, emphasizing the key themes of humility and generosity found in the readings.

The just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice.

The passage begins with a vision of the righteous rejoicing in God’s presence.

The expression “before God” (lifnê ʾĕlōhîm, literally: “to the face of God”) is often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe being in the presence of God, whether in worship, judgment, or blessing.

Here, it strongly suggests a liturgical setting — the righteous rejoicing “to the face of God” in worship.

Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD.

In biblical thought, a name expresses one’s very identity. Thus, to praise God’s name is to praise God himself.

The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. 

God is extolled as the protector of the most vulnerable — orphans and widows— those without social or legal defense in ancient society.

The mention of God’s holy dwelling confirms the psalm’s liturgical setting: it is in the context of worship that God’s presence is proclaimed, and from this dwelling God exercises paternal care and justice.

God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

This imagery seems to allude to the release of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and their ultimate settlement in the Promised Land.

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished;

God is acclaimed as Creator and sustainer, the true source of life and fertility for the land.

Where surrounding nations attributed such power to Baal or other deities, Israel boldly proclaimed these prerogatives as belonging to the LORD alone.

your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy.

The people are referred to as God’s inheritance and God’s flock, both references to their special election, chosen and cared for by divine providence. God’s goodness ensures that his people are sustained, both materially and spiritually.

This psalm invites us to reflect on the wonder of a God whose cosmic majesty as Creator is beautifully intertwined with his compassion as the protector of the humble.