Psalm 68 (Holman Christian Standard)

God's Majestic Power

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. A song.

1 God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate Him flee from His presence.^a 2 As smoke is blown away, so You blow [them] away.^b As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God. 3 But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy.^c 4 Sing to God! Sing praises to His name.^d Exalt Him who rides on the clouds^{e f}- His name is Yahweh^g-and rejoice before Him. 5 A father of the fatherless and a champion of widows^h is God in His holy dwelling. 6 God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity,ⁱ but the rebellious live in a scorched land. 7 God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the desert, Selah 8 the earth trembled, and the skies poured down [rain] before God, the God of Sinai,^j before God, the God of Israel.^k 9 You, God, showered abundant rain;^l You revived Your inheritance when it languished. 10 Your people settled in it; by Your goodness You provided for the poor, God. 11 The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news:^m 12 "The kings of the armies flee-they flee!" She who stays at home divides the spoil. 13 Whileⁿ you lie among the sheepfolds,^{o p} the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and its feathers with glistening gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it snowed on Zalmon.^q 15 Mount Bashan is God's towering mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. 16 Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain^r God desired for His dwelling?^s The Lord will live [there] forever! 17 God's chariots^t are tens of thousands, thousands and thousands; the Lord is among them in the sanctuary^u as He was at Sinai.^{v w} 18 You ascended to the heights, taking away captives; You received gifts from^x people, even from the rebellious, so that the Lord God might live [there].^{y z} 19 May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens;^aa God is our salvation. Selah 20 Our God is a God of salvation, and escape from death belongs to the Lord God . 21 Surely God crushes the heads of His enemies, the hairy head of one who goes on in his guilty acts. 22 The Lord said, "I will bring [them] back from Bashan; I will bring [them] back from the depths of the sea 23 so that your foot may wade^bb in blood and your dogs' tongues may have their share from the enemies."^cc 24 People have seen Your procession,^dd God, the procession of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.^ee 25 Singers^ff lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines.^gg 26 Praise God in the assemblies; [praise] the Lord from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly,^hh the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali. 28 Your God has decreed your strength. Show Your strength, God, You who have acted on our behalf. 29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring tribute to You.ⁱⁱ 30 Rebuke the beast^jj in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver.^kk Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war. 31 Ambassadors will come^ll from Egypt; Cush^mm will stretch out its handsⁿⁿ to God. 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praise to the Lord, Selah 33 to Him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens.^oo Look, He thunders with His powerful voice!^pp 34 Ascribe power to God. His majesty is over Israel, His power among the clouds. 35 God, You are awe-inspiring in Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.^qq May God be praised!