68:5 He is a father to the fatherless
and an advocate for widows. 1
God rules from his holy palace. 2
68:19 The Lord deserves praise! 3
Day after day 4 he carries our burden,
the God who delivers us. (Selah)
1 sn God is depicted here as a just ruler. In the ancient Near Eastern world a king was responsible for promoting justice, including caring for the weak and vulnerable, epitomized by the fatherless and widows.
2 tn Heb “God [is] in his holy dwelling place.” He occupies his throne and carries out his royal responsibilities.
3 tn Heb “blessed [be] the Lord.”
4 tn It is possible to take this phrase with what precedes (“The Lord deserves praise day after day”) rather than with what follows.