Psalms 68

1 For the end, a Psalm of a Song by David. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; and let them that hate him flee from 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 vanishes, let them vanish: as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish from before 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 righteous rejoice; let them exult before God: let them be delighted with joy.

But the righteous shall rejoice; they shall exult before God: yea, they shall be exceedingly joyful.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name: make a way for him that rides upon the west (the Lord is his name) and exult before him. They shall be troubled before the face of 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 [who is] the father of the orphans, and judge of the widows: [such is] God in his holy place.

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God settles the solitary in a house; leading forth prisoners mightily, also them that act provokingly, [even] them that dwell in tombs.

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 forth before your people, when you went through the wilderness; (Pause)

O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst tread along through the wilderness—Selah—

8 the earth quaked, yes, the heavens dropped [water] at the presence of the God of Sina, at the presence of 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 O God, you will grant to your inheritance a gracious rain; for it was weary, but you did refresh it.

Rain of beneficence didst thou pour down, O God, whereby thou didst truly strengthen thy heritage, when it was weary.

10 Your creatures dwell in it: you have in your goodness prepared for the poor.

Thy assembly dwelt therein: thou didst prepare it with thy goodness for the afflicted [people]. O God,

11 The Lord God will give a word to them that preach [it] in a great company.

The Lord gave [happy] tidings; they are published by the female messengers, a numerous host.

12 The king of the forces of the beloved, of the beloved, [will] even [grant them] for the beauty of the house to divide the spoils.

The kings of the armies flee away—flee away: yet she that tarried at home divideth the spoil.

13 Even if you should lie among the lots, [you shall have] the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her breast 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 heavenly One scatters kings upon it, they shall be made snow-white in Selmon.

When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.

15 The mountain of God is a rich mountain; a swelling mountain, a rich mountain.

A mountain of God is the mount of Bashan; many peaks hath the mount of Bashan.

16 Therefore do you conceive [evil], you swelling mountains? [this is] the mountain which God has delighted to dwell in; yes, the Lord will dwell [in it] 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 ten thousand fold, thousands of rejoicing ones: the Lord is among them, in Sina, in 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 are gone up on high, you have led captivity captive, you have received gifts for man, yes, for [they were] rebellious, that you might dwell among them.

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 God, blessed be the Lord daily; and the God of our salvation shall prosper us. (Pause)

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 to the Lord belong the issues 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 shall crust the heads of his enemies; the hairy crown of them that go on in their 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 Basan, I will bring [my people] again through 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 That your foot may be dipped in blood, [and] the tongue of your dogs [be stained] with that 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 Your goings, O God, have been seen; the goings of my God, the king, in the sanctuary.

Men see thy goings forth, O God! the goings forth of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

25 The princes went first, next before the players on instruments, in the midst of damsels playing on timbrels.

First come singers, then follow players on instruments, in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.

26 Praise God in the congregations, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.

In assemblies bless ye God, [praise] the Lord, ye sprung from Israel's fountain.

27 There is Benjamin the younger [one] in ecstasy, the princes of Juda their rulers, the princes of Zabulon, the princes of Nephthali.

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, command you your strength: strengthen, O God, this which you have wrought in us.

Thy God hath ordained the rule to thee: strengthen, O God, what thou hast wrought for us.

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

Because of thy temple over Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30 Rebuke the wild beasts of the reed: let the crowd of bulls with the heifers of the nations [be rebuked], so that they who have been proved with silver may not be shut out: scatter you the nations that wish for wars.

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 Ambassadors shall arrive out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten [to stretch out] her hand readily to God.

Nobles will come out of Egypt: Ethiopia will stretch forth eagerly her hands unto God.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing psalms to the Lord. (Pause)

Kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing praises unto the Lord: (Selah)

33 Sing to God that rides on the heaven of heaven, eastward: behold, he will utter a mighty sound with his voice.

To him who rideth over the highest heavens, of ancient days: hear! he sendeth forth his voice, the voice of might.

34 Give you glory to God: his excellency is 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 God is wonderful in his holy [places], the God of Israel: he will give power and strength to his 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.