Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 68 opens with God rising up to scatter His enemies, and the whole song is a march of triumph. Yet the first thing this song says about the conquering God is not His power. It is His tenderness toward the orphan and the widow.
Majesty and Tenderness in One Verse
The psalm opens with the words used when Israel's camp set out in the wilderness. The God who marches at the head of His people is then given two gentle titles.
J. N. DarbyIt begins with the words used when the camp broke up in the wilderness under God's guidance. The pillar rose up and went ahead of them. So it is now. God takes this place at the head of His people... But the character of the One who steps in this way is further unfolded most beautifully. He is a father of the fatherless, a judge of widows... Judgment is the true and gracious deliverance of the blessed God.
What Makes an Orphan and a Widow
Ask what makes an orphan or a widow, and one answer covers both.
F. A. HughesI see every enemy scattered; then I see God filling the scene of death with the blessed compassionate love of His own heart... What makes the fatherless and the widows? Death. Death has robbed God of His pleasure in man, and man of his pleasure in God. Into that very scene God pours out His compassion. What a triumph! How did He do it? In Jesus. See that poor woman coming out of the gate at Nain. The Lord was going to do something spectacular. He was going to cancel a funeral procession. But there was something greater than that, for it says, "He had compassion on her."
Stripped of Every Natural Support
These titles say what God is, not only what He does. They also name people who have lost every support others lean on.
C. H. MackintoshHe is high over all, the great, the mighty and the terrible. But He has a heart for the widow and the fatherless. They are helpless people, stripped of every earthly and natural support — the poor grieving, broken-hearted widow, and the lonely orphan. God thinks of, and cares for such, in a very special way; they have a claim upon His loving heart and mighty hand.
Helplessness Is the Claim
When Jerusalem lay ruined, the mourners described themselves as orphans and widows. That description was not despair — it was their argument before God.
Henry Allan Ironside"We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows." This gave them a special claim on the care of Him. He is the Father of the fatherless and the Judge of the widow. By speaking of themselves this way they admit their complete helplessness. They also show their confidence in Him who had guided them from their youth. God would not despise so earnest a plea. No one ever called upon Him in vain when they felt their need and were truly repentant.
From His Holy Habitation
The verse names where this care comes from: God's own dwelling place.
L M GrantYet being so infinitely great, it is wonderful to see that He is "a Father of the fatherless, a defender of widows"... For, as Head of a new creation, the Lord Jesus is tenderly concerned for the blessing and welfare of all who share in that creation. As Head He provides counsel, direction, nourishment and wisdom from His holy habitation. He sets those who have been alone in families, giving them the fellowship their hearts rightly long for.
Better Off Than Before
God does not simply replace what was lost. He can provide better than the one who died.
C. H. MackintoshHow wonderful is God's care of such! How many widows are much better off than when they had their husbands! How many orphans are better cared for and provided for than when they had their parents! God looks after them! This is enough... God never fails those who are cast upon Him. He is always true to His own Name, whatever relationship He takes.
How Far the Verse Reaches
Commentators differ on how widely to apply these titles. Some read the line first as a promise to Israel in a coming day of deliverance.
J. N. Darby"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation." This shows God's character as the Preserver of the desolate. He is this toward the true Jews in that day.
Others apply it to God's present care for His own people.
C E StuartHe cares for and protects those who have no natural protector. On this His people can count.
(Older translations read "Judge of the widows" where the ESV has "protector of widows.")
Summary
- Cause — Death makes orphans and widows. God walks straight into that scene with His compassion.
- Character — These titles say what God is, not just what He does. He is "great, mighty and terrible" — and tender.
- Claim — Having nothing left is what gives you a claim on Him. Helplessness is the plea He never despises.
- Care — His supply comes from His holy habitation. It goes past rescue: He sets the lonely in families.
- Consequence — God never fails those who lean on Him. He is always true to His own Name, whatever relationship He takes.