NRSV Psalms 68 Chapter
68:1
Let God rise up, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him.
68:2
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, let the wicked perish before God.
68:3
But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy.
68:4
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds-- his name is the LORD-- be exultant before him.
68:5
Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
68:6
God gives the desolate a home to live in; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a parched land.
68:7
O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,Selah
68:8
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
68:9
Rain in abundance, O God, you showered abroad; you restored your heritage when it languished;
68:10
your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.
68:11
The Lord gives the command; great is the company of those who bore the tidings:
68:12
"The kings of the armies, they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil,
68:13
though they stay among the sheepfolds-- the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with green gold.
68:14
When the Almighty scattered kings there, snow fell on Zalmon.
68:15
O mighty mountain, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!
68:16
Why do you look with envy, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, where the LORD will reside forever?
68:17
With mighty chariotry, twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands, the Lord came from Sinai into the holy place.
68:18
You ascended the high mount, leading captives in your train and receiving gifts from people, even from those who rebel against the LORD God's abiding there.
68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.Selah
68:20
Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belongs escape from death.
68:21
But God will shatter the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of those who walk in their guilty ways.
68:22
The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,
68:23
so that you may bathe your feet in blood, so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe."
68:24
Your solemn processions are seen, O God, the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary--
68:25
the singers in front, the musicians last, between them girls playing tambourines:
68:26
"Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"
68:27
There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in a body, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
68:28
Summon your might, O God; show your strength, O God, as you have done for us before.
68:29
Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to you.
68:30
Rebuke the wild animals that live among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.
68:31
Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out its hands to God.
68:32
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord,Selah
68:33
O rider in the heavens, the ancient heavens; listen, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
68:34
Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel; and whose power is in the skies.
68:35
Awesome is God in his sanctuary, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!