Psalm 68

God Arises and Scatters His Enemies

1God arises, his enemies are scattered;
those who hate him flee before him. 2As smoke is driven away, so you drive them away;
as wax melts before fire,
so the wicked perish before God. 3But the righteous are glad;
they exult before God;
they rejoice with gladness.

4Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts;

his name is the LORD—
exult before him. 5Father of the fatherless and judge of widows
is God in his holy dwelling. 6God settles the solitary in a home;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity,

but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

God Leads His People

7O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness, 8the earth quaked,
the heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God,

this Sinai at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9Rain in abundance, O God, you poured out;
you restored your inheritance when it languished; 10your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

The Lord Gives the Word

11The Lord gives the word;
great is the company of those who proclaim it: 12“Kings of armies—they flee, they flee!”
The women at home divide the spoil— 13though you lie among the sheepfolds,
the wings of a dove are covered with silver,
and its pinions with shimmering gold. 14When the Almighty scatters kings there,
it was like snow falling on Zalmon.

The Mountain of God

15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
a mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan. 16Why do you look with envy, O mountains of many peaks,
at the mountain that God desired for his dwelling—

yes, where the LORD will dwell forever? 17The chariots of God are tens of thousands,
thousands upon thousands;

the Lord is among them;
Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

18You ascended on high,
leading captivity captive;

you received gifts among men,
even among the rebellious,
that the LORD God might dwell there.

Blessed Be the Lord

19Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation. 20Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belong escapes from death. 21But God will strike the head of his enemies,
the hairy crown of the one who walks in his guilt. 22The Lord said,
“I will bring them back from Bashan,
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23that you may strike your feet in blood,
that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the enemies.”

Procession into the Sanctuary

24Your procession is seen, O God,
the procession of my God, my king, into the sanctuary— 25the singers in front,
the musicians after,
in the midst, young women playing tambourines. 26Bless God in the congregations,
the LORD, from the fountain of Israel. 27There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them,
the princes of Judah in their throng,
the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

God’s Power over the Nations

28Summon your strength, O God;
confirm, O God, what you have worked for us. 29Because of your temple at Jerusalem,
kings shall bring gifts to you. 30Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples,

trampling underfoot those who lust after tribute;
scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31Nobles shall come from Egypt;
Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

32O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
sing praises to the Lord— 33to him who rides in the ancient heavens,
behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 34Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
and whose power is in the skies. 35Fearsome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God.