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We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below. Read Psalm 68:1-20  Listen to Psalm 68:1-20 Today we are looking at part one of Psalm 68. Psalm 68 is a powerful depiction of God as a ruler of loving justice. Throughout the first twenty verses are depictions of the actions of God, both powerful and full of compassion. God is a god of both justice and redemption. Within the Bible justice and redemption are usually depicted as going hand in hand. Part of the way this redemptive justice is demonstrated is in the understanding that God offers himself as a “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” God is present for those who are seen to have low status - he will meet the needs of those who are needy. Note also the reference to the role of women in proclaiming the word of God in verse 11 - perhaps a precursor of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of Jesus? Much of the first twenty verses stand as a picture of the kingdom of God to come and (I hope also) the work of the church today - “God puts the lonely in a family.” My sense is that when we see examples of each of these in practice we are witnessing a foretaste of the kingdom of God. God, would you help us be a church who point people to the works of your kingdom.