Psalm 68

1 Let God arise,

The Glory of God in His Goodness to IsraelTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.

2 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 rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him.5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 7 O God, when You went out before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah8 The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary.10 Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.11 The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it: 12 Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home divides the spoil.13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold.14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Zalmon.15 A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan.16 Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in; Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever.17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. 18 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there. 19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.21 But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.22 The Lord said, I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,23 That your foot may crush them in blood, And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.24 They have seen Your procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing timbrels.26 Bless God in the congregations, The Lord, from the fountain of Israel.27 There is little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah and their company, The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.28 Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You.30 Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war.31 Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.34 Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds.35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

PSALMS 68

God Will Win the Battle

1 Do something, God!
Scatter your hateful enemies.
Make them turn and run.

2 Scatter them like smoke!
When you come near,
make them melt
like wax in a fire.

3 But let your people be happy
and celebrate because of you.

4 Our God, you are the one
who rides on the clouds, t
and we praise you.
Your name is the [Lord],
and we celebrate
as we worship you.

5 Our God, from your sacred home
you take care of orphans
and protect widows.

6 You find families
for those who are lonely.
You set prisoners free
and let them prosper, t
but all who rebel will live
in a scorching desert.

7 You set your people free,
and you led them
through the desert.

8  t God of Israel,
the earth trembled,
and rain poured down.
You alone are the God
who rules from Mount Sinai.

9 When your land was thirsty,
you sent showers
to refresh it.

10 Your people settled there,
and you were generous
to everyone in need.

11 You gave the command, [Lord],
and a chorus of women told
what had happened:

12 “Kings and their armies
retreated and ran,
and everything they left
is now being divided.

13 And for those who stayed back
to guard the sheep,
there are metal doves
with silver-coated wings
and shiny gold feathers.”

14 God All-Powerful, you scattered
the kings like snow falling
on Mount Zalmon.t

15 Our [Lord] and our God,
Bashan is a mighty mountain
covered with peaks.

16 Why is it jealous of Zion,
the mountain you chose
as your home forever?

17 When you, [Lord] God, appeared
to your peoplet at Sinai,
you came with thousands
of mighty chariots.

18  t When you climbed
the high mountain,
you took prisoners with you
and were given gifts.
Your enemies didn't want you
to live there,
but they gave you gifts.

19 We praise you, Lord God!
You treat us with kindness
day after day,
and you rescue us.

20 You always protect us
and save us from death.

21 Our Lord and our God,
your terrible enemies
are ready for war, t
but you will crush
their skulls.

22 You promised to bring them
from Bashan
and from the deepest sea.

23 Then we could wash our feet
in their blood,
and our dogs could chew
on their bones.

24 We have seen crowds marching
to your place of worship,
our God and King.

25 Singers come first,
and then the musicians,
surrounded by young women
playing tambourines.

26 They come shouting,
“People of Israel,
praise the [Lord] God!”

27 The small tribe of Benjamin
leads the way,
followed by the leaders
from Judah.
Then come the leaders
from Zebulun and Naphtali.

28 Our God, show your strength!
Show us once again.

29 Then kings will bring gifts
to your temple
in Jerusalem.t

30 Punish that animal
that lives in the swamp!t
Punish that nation
whose leaders and people
are like wild bulls.
Make them come crawling
with gifts of silver.
Scatter those nations
that enjoy making war.t

31 Force the Egyptians to bring
gifts of bronze;
make the Ethiopianst hurry
to offer presents.t

32 Now sing praises to God!
Every kingdom on earth,
sing to the Lord!

33 Praise the one who rides
across the ancient skies;
listen as he speaks
with a mighty voice.

34 Tell about God's power!
He is honored in Israel,
and he rules the skies.

35 The God of Israel is fearsome
in his temple,
and he makes us strong.
Let's praise our God!