Psalm 68:13

Psalm 68:13

Sheep pens and feathers

This is an extraordinarily beautiful verse of Scripture. At first reading it does not make sense and looks completely out of place. Let’s unpack what is being said here. Firstly, the sheep pens accompanied Israel wherever they travelled. We know that the people had herds and flocks and that animals were very much part of the ongoing procession through the wilderness. Now that Sinai was behind them, many of those animals were being bred and nurtured to furnish the sacrificial rituals that had become part of everyday life. So, “sleeping among the sheep pens” is a figure of speech for the times when the people were at rest, surrounded by their animals, their campfires and the bags being carried by the oxen and donkeys, and they were free from the demands of travel or the threat of their enemies.

Israel is now portrayed as a dove, a bird of peace. The nation is described in this manner in Psalm 74:19 and Hosea 7:11 and it seems to be a term of endearment. It’s clear that these birds were kept in the Camp, because they were offered as sacrifices at the altar by those who could not afford a lamb or a bull. Notice that the dove is sheathed with silver and gold, in other words this exquisite bird is not robed in its usual grey coat but it sparkles and shines with the adornment of precious metals. I think that what David is saying here is that Israel, in her natural state, was once just a common bird of peace, but because of the plunder taken from her enemies she is now adorned with a rich robe of silver and gold. The nation has become wealthy!

There is a lesson here for us, the Lord is saying that even while the people slept, He was planning their victories. Long before they engaged in battle with enemy forces, He had already defeated them. He is the God who goes before His people. We may rest from the rigors of the journey in the knowledge that enemy forces ahead are already overcome in the name of the Lord. The rich robes of His blessing and His provision are already upon us, so we may rest in Him! Hallelujah!

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