Psalm 68

Psalm 68

For the choir director: A song. A psalm of David.

1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies.
Let those who hate God run for their lives.2 Blow them away like smoke.
Melt them like wax in a fire.
Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.3 But let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.4 Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the LORD—
rejoice in his presence!5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.6 God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.7 O God, when you led your people out from Egypt,
when you marched through the dry wasteland,
Interlude8 the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain
before you, the God of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.9 You sent abundant rain, O God,
to refresh the weary land.10 There your people finally settled,
and with a bountiful harvest, O God,
you provided for your needy people.11 The Lord gives the word,
and a great armyt brings the good news.12 Enemy kings and their armies flee,
while the women of Israel divide the plunder.13 Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures—
doves with wings of silver
and feathers of gold.14 The Almighty scattered the enemy kings
like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic,
with many peaks stretching high into the sky.16 Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains,
at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live,
where the LORD himself will live forever?17 Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots,
the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary.18 When you ascended to the heights,
you led a crowd of captives.
You received gifts from the people,
even from those who rebelled against you.
Now the LORD God will live among us there.19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms.
Interlude20 Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death.21 But God will smash the heads of his enemies,
crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways.22 The Lord says, “I will bring my enemies down from Bashan;
I will bring them up from the depths of the sea.23 You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood,
and even your dogs will get their share!”24 Your procession has come into view, O God—
the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary.25 Singers are in front, musicians behind;
between them are young women playing tambourines.26 Praise God, all you people of Israel;
praise the LORD, the source of Israel’s life.27 Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way.
Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah
and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.28 Summon your might, O God.
Display your power, O God, as you have in the past.29 The kings of the earth are bringing tribute
to your Temple in Jerusalem.30 Rebuke these enemy nations—
these wild animals lurking in the reeds,
this herd of bulls among the weaker calves.
Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute.
Scatter the nations that delight in war.31 Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metalst;
let Ethiopiat bow in submission to God.32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth.
Sing praises to the Lord.
Interlude33 Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens,
his mighty voice thundering from the sky.34 Tell everyone about God’s power.
His majesty shines down on Israel;
his strength is mighty in the heavens.35 God is awesome in his sanctuary.
The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to 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!