Psalms 68
1 For the music director. A psalm of David. A song. Stand up, God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate him run away from 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 Blow them away as if they were smoke; melt them like beeswax in a fire. Let the wicked die in God's presence.
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 those who are right with God are happy, and they celebrate in God's presence, full of joy.
But the righteous shall rejoice; they shall exult before God: yea, they shall be exceedingly joyful.
4 Sing praises to God! Sing praises to his wonderful reputation! Praise the rider of the clouds—his name is the Lord! Be happy in his presence!
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 He is a father to the orphans, a protector of widows. This is who God is, who lives in his holy place.
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God gives those who are abandoned a family to live with. He sets prisoners free with celebration. But those who rebel live in a desert wasteland.
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 God, when you led your people out, when you marched through the desert, (Selah)
O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst tread along through the wilderness—Selah—
8 the earth quaked, and the heavens shook before God, the one of Sinai; 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 sent plenty of rain to water the promised land; refreshing it when it was dry.
Rain of beneficence didst thou pour down, O God, whereby thou didst truly strengthen thy heritage, when it was weary.
10 Your people settled there, and because of your kindness, God, you looked after the poor. (Selah)
Thy assembly dwelt therein: thou didst prepare it with thy goodness for the afflicted [people]. O God,
11 The Lord gives the command, and a great army of women spread the good news.
The Lord gave [happy] tidings; they are published by the female messengers, a numerous host.
12 The kings of the foreign armies are quick to run away, and the women who stayed at home divide the plunder!
The kings of the armies flee away—flee away: yet she that tarried at home divideth the spoil.
13 Why are you staying at home? There are ornaments in the shape of a dove with wings of silver and feathers of fine gold to be taken.
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 The Almighty scattered the foreign kings like a snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.
15 “Mountain of God,” Mount Bashan, with your many high peaks, Mount Bashan,
A mountain of God is the mount of Bashan; many peaks hath the mount of Bashan.
16 why do you look enviously, mountain with many peaks, at the mountain God chose as his home, where the Lord will live forever?
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 God's chariots can't be counted; there are thousands and thousands of them. He comes among them from Sinai into his Temple.
The chariots of God are two myriads; thousands of angels [follow him]: the Lord is among them: so is Sinai holy [among mountains].
18 As you ascended to your high throne you led a procession of prisoners. You received gifts from the people, even from those who had rebelled against the home of the Lord God.
Thou didst ascend on high, lead away captives, receive gifts among men, yea, even the rebellious, to dwell among them. O Lord God.
19 May the Lord be blessed, for every day he carries our burdens. God is our salvation. (Selah)
Blessed be the Lord; day by day he loadeth us [with benefits]; our God is our salvation. (Selah)
20 For us, God is a God who saves. The Lord God provides our escape from death.
Our God is to us the God of salvation: and by the Eternal the Lord are the escapes from death.
21 But God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy heads of those who continue to sin.
But God will crush the head of his enemies, the hairy skull of him who walketh in his guiltiness.
22 The Lord says, “I will drag them down from Bashan; I will drag them up from the depths 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 you may walk in their blood. Even your dogs will have their share of your enemies.”
In order that thou mayest wade with thy feet in blood, feeding the tongue of thy dogs from the enemies' blood.
24 People watch your processions, God—the processions of my God and King as they go into the Temple.
Men see thy goings forth, O God! the goings forth of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 The singers are at the front, the musicians at the back, and in the middle girls playing tambourines.
First come singers, then follow players on instruments, in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.
26 Praise God, everyone who has come to worship; praise the Lord, everyone who belongs to Israel.
In assemblies bless ye God, [praise] the Lord, ye sprung from Israel's fountain.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, followed by the many leaders from Judah; then come the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
There Benjamin the youngest leadeth them on, the princes of Judah in purple robes, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 Display your power, God! Reveal your strength, Lord, as you have done for us in the past.
Thy God hath ordained the rule to thee: strengthen, O God, what thou hast wrought for us.
29 Because of your Temple in Jerusalem, kings bring tribute to you.
Because of thy temple over Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
30 Condemn the beasts of the reeds, the bulls and calves! May they be humbled and bring bars of silver in tribute! Scatter the war-loving nations!
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 Let Egypt come with bronze gifts; let Ethiopia come quickly and hand over their tributes to God!
Nobles will come out of Egypt: Ethiopia will stretch forth eagerly her hands unto God.
32 Sing to God, kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord. (Selah)
Kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing praises unto the Lord: (Selah)
33 Sing to the rider of the ancient heavens, his strong voice sounding like thunder!
To him who rideth over the highest heavens, of ancient days: hear! he sendeth forth his voice, the voice of might.
34 Let everyone know of God's power: how his majesty extends over Israel, how his strength is revealed in the heavens.
Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the skies.
35 How awesome is God in his Temple! The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people! Praise 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.
