Psalm 68
God’s Majestic Power
For the choir director. A psalm of David. A song.
1 God arises. His enemies scatter,
and those who hate him flee from his presence. h
so you blow them away.
As wax melts before the fire,
so the wicked are destroyed before God. i
they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. j
4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name.
Exalt him who rides on the clouds H—
his name is the LORD I—and celebrate before him. k
a father of the fatherless
and a champion of widows. l
6 God provides homes for those who are deserted.
He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, J
but the rebellious live in a scorched land. m
7 God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the desert, Selah
8 the earth trembled and the skies poured rain
before God, the God of Sinai, K
before God, the God of Israel. n
9 You, God, showered abundant rain;
you revived your inheritance when it languished. o
God, you provided for the poor by your goodness. p
a great company of women brought the good news: q
12 “The kings of the armies flee—they flee! ”
She who stays at home divides the spoil. r
13 While L you lie among the sheep pens, M
the wings of a dove are covered with silver,
and its feathers with glistening gold. s
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in the land,
15 Mount Bashan is God’s towering mountain;
Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. u
16 Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks,
at the mountain God desired for his abode?
The LORD will dwell there forever! v
17 God’s chariots are tens of thousands,
thousands and thousands; w
the Lord is among them in the sanctuary O
as he was at Sinai. x
18 You ascended to the heights, taking away captives;
you received gifts from P people,
even from the rebellious,
so that the LORD God might dwell there. Q,y
Day after day he bears our burdens;
God is our salvation. z Selah
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and escape from death belongs to the LORD my Lord. a
21 Surely God crushes the heads of his enemies,
the hairy brow of one who goes on in his guilty acts. b
22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea c
23 so that your foot may wade R in blood
and your dogs’ tongues may have their share
from the enemies.” d
24 People have seen your procession, God,
the procession of my God,
my King, in the sanctuary. e
with musicians following;
among them are young women
playing tambourines. f
26 Bless God in the assemblies;
bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. g
27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them,
the rulers of Judah in their assembly, S
the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali. h
28 Your God has decreed your strength.
Show your strength, God,
you who have acted on our behalf. i
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem,
kings will bring tribute to you. j
30 Rebuke the beast in the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. k
Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. T
Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war. l
31 Ambassadors will come U from Egypt;
Cush will stretch out its hands to God. m
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
sing praise to the Lord, n Selah
33 to him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens. o
Look, he thunders with his powerful voice! p
His majesty is over Israel,
his power is among the clouds. q
35 God, you are awe-inspiring in your sanctuaries.
The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God! r