Psalm 68

1 God arises, and his enemies are scattered. Those who hate him flee from his presence. ^{a68:1 Lit. face}ISV — Psalm 68:1

2 As smoke is driven away, so you drive them away. As wax melts in the presence of fire, so the wicked die in the presence of God.ISV — Psalm 68:2

3 But the righteous rejoice and exult before God; they are overwhelmed with joy.ISV — Psalm 68:3

4 Sing to God! Sing praise to his name! Exalt the one who rides on the clouds. The LORD is his name. Be jubilant in his presence.ISV — Psalm 68:4

5 A father to orphans and an advocate for widows is God in his holy dwelling place.ISV — Psalm 68:5

6 God causes the lonely to dwell in families. ^{b68:6 Lit. in a house} He leads prisoners into prosperity, but rebels live on parched land.ISV — Psalm 68:6

7 God, when you led out your people, when you marched through the desert, InterludeISV — Psalm 68:7

8 the land quaked. Indeed, the heavens poured down rain from the presence of God, this God of Sinai, from the presence of God, the God of Israel.ISV — Psalm 68:8

9 God, you poured out abundant rain on your inheritance. When Israel ^{c68:9 Lit. it} was weary, you sustained her.ISV — Psalm 68:9

10 Your people live ^{d68:10 Or tribe lives} there; you sustain the needy ^{e68:10 Or afflicted} with your goodness, God.ISV — Psalm 68:10

11 The Lord issues a command. Numerous are the women who announce the news:ISV — Psalm 68:11

12 “Kings of armies retreat and flee, while the lady of the house divides the spoil.ISV — Psalm 68:12

13 When you men lie down among the sheepfolds, you are like ^{f68:13 The Heb. lacks you are like} the wings of the dove covered with silver, with its feathers in glittering gold.”ISV — Psalm 68:13

14 When the Almighty scattered the kings there, there was snow on Mt. Zalmon.ISV — Psalm 68:14

15 The mountain of God is as the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of many peaks is Mount Bashan.ISV — Psalm 68:15

16 You mountains of many peaks, why do you watch with envy the mountain in which God has chosen to dwell? Indeed, the LORD will live there forever.ISV — Psalm 68:16

17 God’s chariots were many thousands. The Lord was there with them at Sinai in holiness.ISV — Psalm 68:17

18 You ascended to the heights, you took captives. You received gifts among mankind, even the rebellious, so the LORD God may live there. ^{g68:18 The Heb. lacks there}ISV — Psalm 68:18

19 Blessed be the Lord who daily carries us. God is our deliverer.ISV — Psalm 68:19

20 God is for us the God of our deliverance. The Lord GOD rescues us from death.ISV — Psalm 68:20

21 God surely strikes the heads of his enemies, even the hairy heads of those who continue in their guilt.ISV — Psalm 68:21

22 The Lord says, “From Bashan I will bring them, I will bring them from the depths of the sea,ISV — Psalm 68:22

23 that your feet may wade through blood. The tongues of your dogs will have their portions from your enemies.”ISV — Psalm 68:23

24 They have observed your processions, God, the processions of my God, my king, in the sanctuary.ISV — Psalm 68:24

25 The singers are in front, the musicians follow, strumming their stringed instruments among the maidens who are playing their tambourines.ISV — Psalm 68:25

26 Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD who is the fountain of Israel.ISV — Psalm 68:26

27 Little Benjamin is there, leading them, and the princes of Judah all together with the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali.ISV — Psalm 68:27

28 Summon the power of your God, the power, God, that you have shown us.ISV — Psalm 68:28

29 Because of your Temple in Jerusalem, kings bring tribute to you.ISV — Psalm 68:29

30 Rebuke the wildlife that lives among the reeds, the nations that congregate like bulls and cows, humbling themselves with pieces of silver, for God ^{h68:30 Lit. he} scatters the nations that delight in battle.ISV — Psalm 68:30

31 Envoys will come from Egypt. Let the Ethiopians stretch out their hands to God.ISV — Psalm 68:31

32 You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God! Sing praises to the Lord, InterludeISV — Psalm 68:32

33 to the one who rides the heavens, the ancient heavens. Behold! He thunders with a mighty voice.ISV — Psalm 68:33

34 Ascribe power to God, whose glory is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.ISV — Psalm 68:34

35 You are awesome, God, from your sanctuaries. The God of Israel is the one who gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!ISV — Psalm 68:35