06/18/2026
Daily Arrows of Faith-June 2026
For Uncertain Times
By Pastor Hugh J. Harmon
06/18/2026
Psalm 68:4 TLB
Sing praises to the Lord! Raise your voice in song to him who rides upon the clouds! Jehovah is his
name—oh, rejoice in his presence. This psalm is calling for us to sing praises onto our Lord. Does it mean to literally or figuratively sing? That really doesn’t matter. We must find ways to express our joy in the Lord. When the psalmist says to raise your voice in song, he is saying be bold about it–not shy, not reserved, and not fearful. The psalmist uses the name Jehovah. The name “Jehovah” is a relatively recent development in the history of biblical translation. It is not found in ancient Hebrew manuscripts, and it did not exist in the time of the apostles or the early church. The name Jehovah emerged in the Middle Ages when Christian scholars attempted to vocalize the Tetragrammaton. Since the Jewish scribes had replaced YHWH with “Adonai” during reading, they added the vowel markings of “Adonai” to the consonants YHWH. The result was a hybrid form: YeHoWaH. When Latin-speaking Christians encountered this construction, the “Y” became “J” (as in Latin pronunciation), and “W” became “V,” resulting in the form “Jehovah.” So, what we are reading as ancient scriptures, is ancient scriptures translated into contemporary language. So the original text did not say, Jehovah is his name. It said, YHWH is His name. This word first appeared in English translations in the 16th century, notably in William Tyndale’s Bible. Therefore, “Jehovah” is a man-made combination of the consonants YHWH and the vowels of Adonai. It was never used by the ancient Israelites or the early Christians. While it may have become familiar in some translations, it is not the original or true name of God revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Summary Thought:
It highlights God's transcendence, supreme power, and the joy of worship. "Ride Upon the Clouds” is imagery that declares God as the ultimate ruler over nature and the heavens. In the ancient Near East, the phrase "rider on the clouds" was a title often attributed to Baal, the Canaanite storm god associated with rain and agriculture. By using this title here, the psalmist (traditionally David) makes a bold theological declaration: Yahweh alone has absolute authority over the storms, the skies, and all of creation. In the original Hebrew text, this verse uses the divine name "JAH" (or Yah)—a shortened, intense form of Jehovah or Yahweh. It signifies God as the eternal, self-existent One. Using this specific name emphasizes God's personal intimacy with His people alongside His supreme power.
Action Steps:
The TLB translation shifts the focus from a formal
command to praise into an invitation for emotional, joyfulcelebration. Because God is the majestic Creator who rides the clouds and defeats obstacles, His people are invited to respond with genuine gladness. Throughout this psalm, this joy is deeply tied to God's character as a "father of the fatherless" and a defender of the vulnerable. This psalm was famously sung when the Ark of the Covenant was transported to Jerusalem. It looks back to the Exodus, where God led His people through the wilderness. The command to "sing praises" is a reminder that even when life feels like a barren desert, believers can rejoice because the triumphant, cloud-riding God is leading the way.