Psalms 68

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David, a Song. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee before Him.

[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song.] Let God arise. Let his enemies be scattered, and let them who hate him flee before him.

2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3 But let the righteous be glad, let them exult before God; yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.

4 Sing unto God, sing praises to His name; extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is the LORD; and exult ye before Him.

Sing to God. Sing praises to his name. Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name. 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 defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God maketh the solitary to dwell in a house; He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; the rebellious dwell but in a parched land.

God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

7 O God, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people, when Thou didst march through the wilderness; (Selah)

God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... (Selah)

8 The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; even yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai—at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9 A bounteous rain didst Thou pour down, O God; when Thine inheritance was weary, Thou didst confirm it.

You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.

10 Thy flock settled therein; Thou didst prepare in Thy goodness for the poor, O God.

Your congregation lived in it. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.

11 The Lord giveth the word; the women that proclaim the tidings are a great host.

The LORD announced the word; a great company of women proclaim the good news.

12 Kings of armies flee, they flee; and she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.

"Kings of armies flee. They flee." She who waits at home divides the spoil,

13 When ye lie among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her pinions with the shimmer of gold.

while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.

14 When the Almighty scattereth kings therein, it snoweth in Zalmon.

When Shaddai scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.

15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of peaks is the mountain of Bashan.

The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.

16 Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks, at the mountain which God hath desired for His abode? Yea, the LORD will dwell therein for ever.

Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever.

17 The chariots of God are myriads, even thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in holiness.

The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The LORD is among them, from Sinai, in holiness.

18 Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts among men, yea, among the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there.

You have ascended on high. You have taken captivity captive. And you gave gifts to people; but the rebellious will not dwell in the presence of God.

19 Blessed be the Lord, day by day He beareth our burden, even the God who is our salvation. (Selah)

Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. (Selah)

20 God is unto us a God of deliverances; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues of death.

God is to us a God of deliverance. To the LORD belongs escape from death.

21 Surely God will smite through the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of him that goeth about in his guiltiness.

But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness.

22 The Lord said: 'I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;

The LORD said, "I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea;

23 That thy foot may wade through blood, that the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.'

That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies."

24 They see Thy goings, O God, even the goings of my God, my King, in holiness.

They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

25 The singers go before, the minstrels follow after, in the midst of damsels playing upon timbrels.

The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,

26 'Bless ye God in full assemblies, even the Lord, ye that are from the fountain of Israel.'

"Bless God in the congregations, even the LORD from the fountain of Israel."

27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah their council, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength; be strong, O God, Thou that hast wrought for us

Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.

29 Out of Thy temple at Jerusalem, whither kings shall bring presents unto Thee.

Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.

30 Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, every one submitting himself with pieces of silver; He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war!

Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war.

31 Nobles shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands unto God.

Envoys shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.

32 Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; (Selah)

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the LORD. (Selah)

33 To Him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which are of old; lo, He uttereth His voice, a mighty voice.

To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; look, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.

34 Ascribe ye strength unto God; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the skies.

Ascribe strength to God. His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies.

35 Awful is God out of thy holy places; the God of Israel, He giveth strength and power unto the people; blessed be God.

You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God.