Psalms 66 - 88: Cloud-Rider and Granite Fortress

- Talking trees:  The Psalms portray the earth as actively worshipping God, along with all of Creation, including animals and trees. "You heavens, praise him, praise him, earth; Also ocean and all things that swim in it" (Psalm 69:34). Passages like this remind me of Narnia, CS Lewis' imaginary land where the animals talked and the forests were alive. Perhaps this is what God intended before the Fall?
- Freedom:  "He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restore the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture--when they bleed, he bleeds" (Psalm 72:9-14).
- God-images:  Not all of the Psalms are by David, but I am finding that the most powerful and unique God-images are David's. Here are some more of his creative and poetic names/metaphors for God (in The Message version):

• Cloud-Rider
• Father of Orphans
• Champion of Widows
• Sky-Rider
• A Guest Room Where I Can Retreat
• My Vast, Granite Fortress
• My Bedrock
• Holy One of Israel
• My Home

Elena's verse of the day:  "We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen" (Psalm 72:19).