Wings Sheathed in Silver: The Unexpected Role of Women in Psalm 68

Some days, it feels more complicated being a godly woman than simply being a godly person. This has been especially hard for me recently as a single woman. I am at the age when 95% of my friends are already married and having kids. I have not even been on a date. As a household of one, I end up taking on both masculine and feminine roles, but I am growing weary. I wish I could defer to someone more decisive. I worry that I am an easy target so I am always on the defensive, anxious that the car mechanic is going to charge me too much or the home improvement contractor will do a shoddy job because I will not know the difference. I have the freedom of schedule and finances to travel, but more often I end up staying home because travel companions are hard to find, and traveling alone means high anxiety and low enjoyment.

However, I know single women are not the only ones who struggle with knowing how a godly woman should act. I know there are many married women who also feel the ache for a leader and defender. This year, I have become more aware of friends whose husbands have been unfaithful to them, abandoned them, or abused them. Some friends are struggling because of a spouse who does not actively support their spiritual life or worse, is openly antagonistic of their faith. I know women whose godly husbands have passed away so they are again navigating the world as singles, but this time with the heavy weight of grief and loss. Though I do not know any personally, I also know of women who have been hurt or betrayed by men in their workplaces or even more tragically, by men in the church.

I want to celebrate that God made both men and women (as different as they are) in His image to reflect His being. The beauty of a godly marriage, bringing masculine and feminine strengths together becomes more and more attractive as I learn about how God has made us and the future hope of Christ being united with His bride, the church. But what about when men are not present? What about when they neglect their role or even abuse their position? Where does that leave women who feel like they are facing life alone?  

While reading Psalm 68 recently, this stanza that caught my attention.

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.”

(Ps. 68:11-13 ESV)

I read the same passage in another translation and was surprised to see that women were not mentioned at all! Intrigued, I began to research. Does the original language suggest that this psalm has a specific application for women or not?

GOD WILL HAVE THE VICTORY

Psalm 68 is a psalm of David. The opening verse, (“God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered;” vs. 1 ESV) echoes Moses’ ceremonial words in Numbers 10:35 to be said whenever the ark of the covenant was moved. God as the victor over all His enemies sets the tone. David praises the Lord, recalling His past victories and how He led Israel through the wilderness.

BUT WHERE ARE THE MEN?

There are no clear references to men or to the army of Israel (made up of men) other than a mention of princes in procession toward the end and the startling vs. 13. Though some translations differ slightly, the men hiding in the sheepfolds (reminiscent of Deborah taunting the clans of Reuben in Judges 5:16) feels shameful in an otherwise celebratory psalm. It is reasonable to read this psalm with the view that instead of sharing in the fight, dividing up the plunder, and returning home for the victorious procession, the men have forsaken their responsibilities to protect their families and have left God, their King, to fight alone. Far from being crippled by this, God has fought alone against enemy armies. His word is overwhelmingly victorious. He is a greater protector to the people of Israel than the men could ever be on their own.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN

Scholars confirmed that the ESV is correct to indicate women in these verses. The women rejoice and proclaim the good news of victory (vs.11). Although this role was customary for women (1 Sam. 18:6-7), the word for a “great host” is a military term which would have been associated with men more often. Instead of a great host of men fighting, there is a great host of women proclaiming. The women also take the uncharacteristic role of dividing up the plunder, either because the men were not present or possibly because the superabundance of the treasure required more division once the King and his army arrived home.

Vs. 18 (“You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men,” ESV) is quoted by Paul in reference to Jesus, so it is appropriate to consider the psalm through the lens of messianic prophecy. This immediately brings to mind when King Jesus fought and defeated the ultimate enemies, sin and death. He alone could defeat them, and He was all alone when He did so. No man could claim a share in the glory. When the battle was over, His men were in hiding and women were the first to announce His victory…the victory over the grave, an empty tomb, a resurrected King (Matt. 28:6-8).

WINGS SHEATHED IN SILVER

The reference to a dove in vs. 13, wings sheathed in silver and its pinions shimmering with gold, is beautiful poetic imagery. In poetry, some imagery may be specifically attached to one idea, but it may also be intentionally vague or carry a double meaning. Here, the dove likely refers to all Israel, but it is especially applicable to these proclaiming women. There is something innately feminine about a dove. Though I imagine some men in the church bristle at being called upon to be innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16), I can easily relate with the dove; beautiful, soft, and (I hope) pure of heart, yet defenseless, vulnerable, and easily frightened.

However, the dove in Psalm 68 is covered in silver and gold, calling to mind splendid armor, glistening in the sun. As beautiful as this image is, gold and silver do not make for defensive armor in serious battle. These precious metals are heavy and weaker than other more practical metals. The reference to the women dividing the plunder gives us a clue that this armor is not put on in preparation for battle. Instead, it is a share in the spoils, the treasures of the enemy’s wealth, a gift from the victorious King. It is put on as ceremonial armor in a victory march.

If we consider again the connection to Jesus’ female disciples and women in the church today, what spoils can we gain? What wealth does our spiritual enemy have? Nothing that rightfully belongs to him. Yet, the gifts of hope, joy, and peace that the bondage of sin and fear of death had robbed of us and long held hostage are once again ours through the victorious King.

WOMEN OF THE CHURCH

My dear sisters, when you feel like men are in hiding or have abdicated their role as servants and soldiers of our God, remember that the women in Psalm 68 were not picking up swords to fight in place of the men. The King had already conquered. You do not have to fight His battle, but you are called to proclaim the victory He has already won and to rejoice in it (vs. 10-11).

When you feel afraid of facing hardship alone because of an absent father or spouse, remember that God is the father to the fatherless, defender of the widow (vs. 5). When you feel unloved and unprotected because no man has pursued you or stepped up to lead you spiritually, remember God places the lonely in families (vs. 6).

When it feels like you are wearing armor that was not made for you (much like when Saul gave his armor to David instead of taking his rightful, kingly place as Israel’s champion in 1 Sam. 17), remember you are clothed in beautiful armor, the spoils of war. When you feel you have to be both mom and dad to teenagers, when the repairman is not taking your problem seriously, when you have to make another hard decision on your own, when you are taking your children to church while your husband stays home, remember His Spirit gives you the gifts of hope, joy, and more that the enemy had long held hostage (vs. 18, Eph. 4:8). You are a dove, sheathed in silver, shimmering with gold.

As we all seek to learn how to live as godly women, even in different life stages and circumstances, with or without the support of godly men, may we be fully dependent on God and rejoicing in Him, proclaiming His victory. May we all together say,

“Blessed be the Lord,

who daily bears us up;

God is our salvation. Selah”

(Ps. 68:19 ESV)

Artwork by Laura Barnwell (work in progress, inspired by Psalm 68)

Quotations from the English Standard Version Bible. (2001) Crossway

Resources used for research:

• The Amplified Topical Reference Bible. (2006) Zondervan
• ESV Reformation Study Bible. (2015) Reformation Trust
• Henry, Matthew, and David Winter. Matthew Henry’s New Testament Commentary. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1995.
• Wiersbe, Warren. Be Worshipful (Psalms 1-89). 2008
• Manser, Martin H. Dictionary of Bible Themes. 1996