Psalms 68
1 To the chief music-maker. Of David. A Psalm. A Song. Let God be seen, and let his haters be put to flight; let those who are against him be turned back before him.
“To the chief musician, by David, a Psalm or song.” Oh that God would arise, that his enemies might be scattered, and those that hate him might flee before him.
2 Let them be like smoke before the driving wind; as wax turning soft before the fire, so let them come to an end before the power of God.
As smoke is driven off, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3 But let the upright be glad; let them have delight before God; let them be full of joy.
But the righteous shall rejoice; they shall exult before God: yea, they shall be exceedingly joyful.
4 Make songs to God, make songs of praise to his name; make a way for him who comes through the waste lands; his name is Jah; be glad before him.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rideth upon the heavens: the Everlasting is his name, and rejoice before him.
5 A father to those who have no father, a judge of the widows, is God in his holy place.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 Those who are without friends, God puts in families; he makes free those who are in chains; but those who are turned away from him are given a dry land.
God places those who are solitary in the midst of their families: he bringeth out those who are bound unto happiness; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
7 O God, when you went out before your people, wandering through the waste land; (Selah)
O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst tread along through the wilderness—Selah—
8 The earth was shaking and the heavens were streaming, because God was present; even Sinai itself was moved before God, the God of Israel.
The earth quaked, also the heavens dropped at the presence of God, yea, this Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9 You, O God, did freely send the rain, giving strength to the weariness of your heritage.
Rain of beneficence didst thou pour down, O God, whereby thou didst truly strengthen thy heritage, when it was weary.
10 Those whose resting-place was there, even the poor, were comforted by your good things, O God.
Thy assembly dwelt therein: thou didst prepare it with thy goodness for the afflicted [people]. O God,
11 The Lord gives the word; great is the number of the women who make it public.
The Lord gave [happy] tidings; they are published by the female messengers, a numerous host.
12 Kings of armies quickly go in flight: and the women in the houses make a division of their goods.
The kings of the armies flee away—flee away: yet she that tarried at home divideth the spoil.
13 Will you take your rest among the flocks? like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and its feathers with yellow gold.
When ye lie still between the folds [of your cattle], [ye will be like] the wings of the dove covered with sliver, and her pinions shining with flaming gold.
14 When the Most High put the kings to flight, it was as white as snow in Salmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.
15 A hill of God is the hill of Bashan; a hill with high tops is the hill of Bashan.
A mountain of God is the mount of Bashan; many peaks hath the mount of Bashan.
16 Why are you looking with envy, you high hills, on the hill desired by God as his resting-place? truly, God will make it his house for ever.
Why watch ye enviously, ye many-peaked mountains, yonder mountain which God hath chosen for his residence? yea, the Lord will also dwell [there] for ever.
17 The war-carriage of God is among Israel's thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai to the holy place.
The chariots of God are two myriads; thousands of angels [follow him]: the Lord is among them: so is Sinai holy [among mountains].
18 You have gone up on high, taking your prisoners with you; you have taken offerings from men; the Lord God has taken his place on the seat of his power.
Thou didst ascend on high, lead away captives, receive gifts among men, yea, even the rebellious, to dwell among them. O Lord God.
19 Praise be to the Lord, who is our support day by day, even the God of our salvation. (Selah)
Blessed be the Lord; day by day he loadeth us [with benefits]; our God is our salvation. (Selah)
20 Our God is for us a God of salvation; his are the ways out of death.
Our God is to us the God of salvation: and by the Eternal the Lord are the escapes from death.
21 The heads of the haters of God will be crushed; even the head of him who still goes on in his evil ways.
But God will crush the head of his enemies, the hairy skull of him who walketh in his guiltiness.
22 The Lord said, I will make them come back from Bashan, and from the deep parts of the sea;
The Lord hath said, From Bashan will I bring back, I will bring back from the depths of the sea:
23 So that your foot may be red with blood, and the tongues of your dogs with the same.
In order that thou mayest wade with thy feet in blood, feeding the tongue of thy dogs from the enemies' blood.
24 We see your going, O God: even the going of my God, my King, into the holy place.
Men see thy goings forth, O God! the goings forth of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The makers of songs go before, the players of music come after, among the young girls playing on brass instruments.
First come singers, then follow players on instruments, in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.
26 Give praise to God in the great meeting; even the Lord, you who come from the fountain of Israel.
In assemblies bless ye God, [praise] the Lord, ye sprung from Israel's fountain.
27 There is little Benjamin ruling them, the chiefs of Judah and their army, the rulers of Zebulun and the rulers of Naphtali.
There Benjamin the youngest leadeth them on, the princes of Judah in purple robes, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 O God, send out your strength; the strength, O God, with which you have done great things for us,
Thy God hath ordained the rule to thee: strengthen, O God, what thou hast wrought for us.
29 Out of your Temple in Jerusalem.
Because of thy temple over Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 Say sharp words to the beast among the water-plants, the band of strong ones, with the lords of the peoples, put an end to the people whose delight is in war.
Rebuke the wild beasts hiding among the reeds, the troops of steers among the calves of nations, that hasten along with presents of silver. He scattereth nations that are eager for the fight.
31 Kings will give you offerings, they will come out of Egypt; from Pathros will come offerings of silver; Ethiopia will be stretching out her hands to God.
Nobles will come out of Egypt: Ethiopia will stretch forth eagerly her hands unto God.
32 Make songs to God, you kingdoms of the earth; O make songs of praise to the Lord; (Selah)
Kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing praises unto the Lord: (Selah)
33 To him who goes or the clouds of heaven, the heaven which was from earliest times; he sends out his voice of power.
To him who rideth over the highest heavens, of ancient days: hear! he sendeth forth his voice, the voice of might.
34 Make clear that strength is God's: he is lifted up over Israel, and his power is in the clouds.
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the skies.
35 O God, you are to be feared in your holy place: the God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God.
Thou art tremendous, O God, from thy holy residences: O God of Israel, [thou art] he that givest strength and power unto [thy] people. Blessed be God.
