7 O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, Selah
8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
10 your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
11 The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:
12 “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil—
13 though you men lie among the sheepfolds—
the wings of a dove covered with silver,
its pinions with shimmering gold.
14 When the Almighty scatters kings there,
let snow fall on Zalmon.
15 O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan;
O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
16 Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain,
at the mount that God desired for his abode,
yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?
Comment: This section begins by looking to the past. The wilderness trip from Egypt to Cana; God presenting Himself as Israel’s One and Only God; The Constitution for Israel’s behaviour given on Sinai (EX 20); God’s provision for the journey and their many victories. The women rejoiced over Israel’s victories and established their houses, while the menfolk were busy, day and night, looking after their animals. I’m not sure what ‘the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold‘ means. Is it a piece of beautiful imagery signifying the quality of living in Cana rather than slavery in Egypt? Zalmon and Bashan are mountains on the border of Israel. Their inhabitants are looked upon as jealous enemies of the settled Cana. God is presented as the everlasting victor!
Prayer: Living in the past isn’t good, but help me to build on it, O Lord my God.
As I read it! 