Easter 7
Preaching
Hear My Voice
Preaching The Lectionary Psalms for Cycles A, B, C
Object:
At first reading, this psalm presents a scattering of themes. Some scholars think it was not a psalm at all, but a listing of headings to a number of liturgical pieces. Most, however, see in Psalm 68 the underlying theme of the victory and reign of God, the Divine Warrior -- the God who was with the people of Israel in the wilderness (v. 7). Psalm 68 calls the kingdoms of the world to acknowledge that God is the warrior king who reigns over all. It presents God as the power and strength of the chosen people.
A preaching entry point may be found in verse 4, the God who "rides upon the clouds." This idea is repeated in verse 33, "O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens," and together the two verses serve to bracket the content of this psalm. This title of cloud-rider represents a giant step away from idolatry for Israel -- for, according to cuneiform tablets from the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit, that title usually belongs to Baal, the storm-god, who does battle with primal forces to restore fertility to the earth. But in this psalm, the people of Israel assert that Elohim is in control of even that function. From God, not Baal, comes "rain in abundance," which is "showered abroad" (vv. 8-9), but the rebellious live in a parched land (v. 6). Thus, as worshipers of Elohim, the people of Israel have no need for lesser gods to care for matters of fecundity. Regrettably, they did not always live up to the high concept of this psalm, but it shows us that some, at least, understood it.
This psalm could be the basis of a sermon on our image of God, and the lesser "gods" (fate, luck, deservedness) we sometimes credit with good outcomes in our lives. All good comes from the Lord God, this psalm insists -- and nowhere else.
-- S. P.
A preaching entry point may be found in verse 4, the God who "rides upon the clouds." This idea is repeated in verse 33, "O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens," and together the two verses serve to bracket the content of this psalm. This title of cloud-rider represents a giant step away from idolatry for Israel -- for, according to cuneiform tablets from the ancient Syrian city of Ugarit, that title usually belongs to Baal, the storm-god, who does battle with primal forces to restore fertility to the earth. But in this psalm, the people of Israel assert that Elohim is in control of even that function. From God, not Baal, comes "rain in abundance," which is "showered abroad" (vv. 8-9), but the rebellious live in a parched land (v. 6). Thus, as worshipers of Elohim, the people of Israel have no need for lesser gods to care for matters of fecundity. Regrettably, they did not always live up to the high concept of this psalm, but it shows us that some, at least, understood it.
This psalm could be the basis of a sermon on our image of God, and the lesser "gods" (fate, luck, deservedness) we sometimes credit with good outcomes in our lives. All good comes from the Lord God, this psalm insists -- and nowhere else.
-- S. P.
