Psalms 68
1 “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.
[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 off, 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 the righteous shall rejoice; they shall exult before God: yea, they shall be exceedingly joyful.
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 who rideth upon the heavens: the Everlasting is his name, and rejoice before him.
Sing to God. Sing praises to his name. Extol him who rides on the clouds: to JAH, 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 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.
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 didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst tread along through the wilderness—Selah—
God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... (Selah)
8 The earth quaked, also the heavens dropped at the presence of God, yea, this Sinai, 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 Rain of beneficence didst thou pour down, O God, whereby thou didst truly strengthen thy heritage, when it was weary.
You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary.
10 Thy assembly dwelt therein: thou didst prepare it with thy goodness for the afflicted [people]. O God,
Your congregation lived in it. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.
11 The Lord gave [happy] tidings; they are published by the female messengers, a numerous host.
YHWH announced the word; a great company of women proclaim the good news.
12 The kings of the armies flee away—flee away: yet she that tarried at home divideth the spoil.
"Kings of armies flee. They flee." She who waits at home divides the spoil,
13 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.
while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in the midst of her, then even in darkness shone light [as pure] as snow.
When Shaddai scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.
15 A mountain of God is the mount of Bashan; many peaks hath the mount of Bashan.
The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged.
16 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.
Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, YHWH will dwell there forever.
17 The chariots of God are two myriads; thousands of angels [follow him]: the Lord is among them: so is Sinai holy [among mountains].
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. YHWH is among them, from Sinai, in holiness.
18 Thou didst ascend on high, lead away captives, receive gifts among men, yea, even the rebellious, to dwell among them. O Lord God.
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 loadeth us [with benefits]; our God is our salvation. (Selah)
Blessed be YHWH, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. (Selah)
20 Our God is to us the God of salvation: and by the Eternal the Lord are the escapes from death.
God is to us a God of deliverance. To YHWH belongs escape from death.
21 But God will crush the head of his enemies, the hairy skull of him who walketh 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 hath said, From Bashan will I bring back, I will bring back from the depths of the sea:
YHWH said, "I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea;
23 In order that thou mayest wade with thy feet in blood, feeding the tongue of thy dogs from the enemies' blood.
That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies."
24 Men see thy goings forth, O God! the goings forth of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.
25 First come singers, then follow players on instruments, in the midst of maidens playing on timbrels.
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the ladies playing with tambourines,
26 In assemblies bless ye God, [praise] the Lord, ye sprung from Israel's fountain.
"Bless God in the congregations, even YHWH from the fountain of Israel."
27 There Benjamin the youngest leadeth them on, the princes of Judah in purple robes, 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 ordained the rule to thee: strengthen, O God, what thou hast wrought for us.
Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us.
29 Because of thy temple over Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you.
30 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.
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 will come out of Egypt: Ethiopia will stretch forth eagerly her hands unto God.
Envoys shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.
32 Kingdoms of the earth, sing unto God; sing praises unto the Lord: (Selah)
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to YHWH. (Selah)
33 To him who rideth over the highest heavens, of ancient days: hear! he sendeth forth his voice, the voice of might.
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 excellency 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 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.
You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God.
