Psalms 68
1 To the chief Musician. Of David. A Psalm: a Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, and let them that hate him flee 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 As smoke is driven, thou wilt drive them away; as wax melteth before the fire, the wicked shall perish at the presence 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 the righteous shall rejoice: they shall exult before God and be glad with joy.
But the righteous shall rejoice; they shall exult before God: yea, they shall be exceedingly joyful.
4 Sing unto God, sing forth his name; cast up a way for him that rideth in the deserts: his name is Jah; and rejoice 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 of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God maketh the solitary into families; those that were bound he bringeth out into prosperity: but the rebellious dwell in a parched [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 thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness (Selah)
O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst tread along through the wilderness—Selah—
8 The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God, yon Sinai, at the presence of 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 Thou, O God, didst pour a plentiful rain upon thine inheritance, and when it was weary thou strengthenedst it.
Rain of beneficence didst thou pour down, O God, whereby thou didst truly strengthen thy heritage, when it was weary.
10 Thy flock hath dwelt therein: thou hast prepared in thy goodness, for the afflicted, 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 the host of the publishers.
The Lord gave [happy] tidings; they are published by the female messengers, a numerous host.
12 Kings of armies flee; they flee, and she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.
The kings of the armies flee away—flee away: yet she that tarried at home divideth the spoil.
13 Though ye have lain among the sheepfolds, [ye shall be as] wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with green 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 Almighty scattered kings in it, it became snow-white as Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.
15 [As] mount Bashan is the mount of God, a many-peaked mountain, [as] mount Bashan.
A mountain of God is the mount of Bashan; many peaks hath the mount of Bashan.
16 Why do ye look with envy, ye many-peaked mountains, upon the mount that God hath desired for his abode? yea, Jehovah will dwell [there] 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 chariots of God are twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them: it is a Sinai in holiness.
The chariots of God are two myriads; thousands of angels [follow him]: the Lord is among them: so is Sinai holy [among mountains].
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts in Man, and even [for] the rebellious, for the dwelling [there] of Jah Elohim.
Thou didst ascend on high, lead away captives, receive gifts among men, yea, even the rebellious, to dwell among them. O Lord God.
19 Blessed be the Lord: day by day doth he load us [with good], the God who is 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 the God of salvation; and with Jehovah, the Lord, are the goings forth [even] from death.
Our God is to us the God of salvation: and by the Eternal the Lord are the escapes from death.
21 Verily God will smite the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth on still in his trespasses.
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 bring again from Bashan, I will bring [them] again from the depth of the sea;
The Lord hath said, From Bashan will I bring back, I will bring back from the depths of the sea:
23 That thou mayest dip thy foot in blood: the tongue of thy dogs has its portion from enemies.
In order that thou mayest wade with thy feet in blood, feeding the tongue of thy dogs from the enemies' blood.
24 They have seen thy goings, O God, the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
Men see thy goings forth, O God! the goings forth of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers went before, the players on stringed instruments after, in the midst of maidens playing on tabrets.
First come singers, then follow players on instruments, in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.
26 In the congregations bless ye God, the Lord, — [ye] from the fountain of Israel.
In assemblies bless ye God, [praise] the Lord, ye sprung from Israel's fountain.
27 There is little Benjamin, their ruler; the princes of Judah, their company; the princes of Zebulun, the princes 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 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
Thy God hath ordained the rule to thee: strengthen, O God, what thou hast wrought for us.
29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
Because of thy temple over Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 Rebuke the beast of the reeds, the assembly of the strong, with the calves of the peoples: [every one] submitteth himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples that delight 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 Great ones shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall quickly stretch out her hands unto God.
Nobles will come out of Egypt: Ethiopia will stretch forth eagerly her hands unto God.
32 Ye kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing psalms of the Lord, (Selah)
Kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing praises unto the Lord: (Selah)
33 Of him that rideth upon the heavens, the heavens which are of old: lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice.
To him who rideth over the highest heavens, of ancient days: hear! he sendeth forth his voice, the voice of might.
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the skies.
35 Terrible art thou, O God, out of thy sanctuaries, — the God of Israel! He it is that giveth strength and might unto the people. Blessed be 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.
