Psalm 68

To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.

1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.footnote a

2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.footnote b

4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.footnote c

7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.footnote dfootnote e

10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.

11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.footnote f

12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.footnote g

13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.footnote h

15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.

17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.footnote i

18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.footnote j

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.

21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.footnote k

24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.footnote l

27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.footnote m

28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.footnote nfootnote o

31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.

32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:

33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.footnote p

34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.footnote q

35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

God’s Enemies Are Scattered

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song.

1God arises. His enemies are scattered,and those who hate Him flee His presence. 2As smoke is blown away,You will drive them out;as wax melts before the fire,the wicked will perish in the presence of God. 3But the righteous will be gladand rejoice before God;they will celebrate with joy.

4Sing to God!Sing praises to His name.Exalt Him who rides on the cloudsfootnote a—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him. 5A father of the fatherlessand a defender of widowsis God in His holy habitation. 6God settles the lonely in families;He leads the prisoners out to prosperity,but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

7O God, when You went out before Your people,when You marched through the wasteland,Selah 8the earth shook and the heavens poured down rainbefore God, the One on Sinai,before God, the God of Israel. 9You sent abundant rain, O God;You refreshed Your weary inheritance. 10Your flock settled therein;O God, from Your bounty You provided for the poor.

11The Lord gives the command;a great company of women proclaim it: 12“Kings and their armies flee in haste;she who waits at home divides the plunder. 13Though you lie down among the sheepfolds,the wings of the dove are covered with silver,and her feathers with shimmering gold.” 14When the Almightyfootnote bscattered the kings in the land,it was like the snow falling on Zalmon.

15A mountain of God is Mount Bashan;a mountain of many peaks is Mount Bashan. 16Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks?This is the mountain God chose for His dwelling,where the LORD will surely dwell forever.

17The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they;the Lord is in His sanctuaryas He was at Sinai.footnote c 18You have ascended on high;You have led captives away.You have received gifts from men,footnote deven from the rebellious,that the LORD God may dwell there. 19Blessed be the Lord,who daily bears our burden,the God of our salvation.Selah 20Our God is a God of deliverance;the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death. 21Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies,the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways. 22The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan,I will bring them up from the depths of the sea, 23that your foot may be dippedin the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.”

24They have seen Your procession, O God—the march of my God and King into the sanctuary. 25The singers lead the way,the musicians follow after,among the maidens playing tambourines. 26Bless God in the great congregation;bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel. 27There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them,the princes of Judah in their company,the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.

28Summon Your power, O God;footnote eshow Your strength, O God,which You have exerted on our behalf. 29Because of Your temple at Jerusalemkings will bring You gifts. 30Rebuke the beast in the reeds,the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations,until it submits, bringing bars of silver.Scatter the nations who delight in war. 31Envoys will arrive from Egypt;Cushfootnote fwill stretch out her hands to God.

32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;sing praises to the Lord—Selah 33to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old;behold, His mighty voice resounds. 34Ascribe the power to God,whose majesty is over Israel,whose strength is in the skies. 35O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary;the God of Israel Himselfgives strength and power to His people.Blessed be God!