Psalms 68

1Let God rise up and his enemies scatter; let all who hate him run from his presence. 2Blow them away as smoke is blown away; as wax melts in front of the flames, may the wicked come to nothing in God’s presence. 3But let the righteous be glad and celebrate before God; let them be overjoyed. 4Sing to God, make music to his name; prepare a highway for the one who rides through the deserts. The LORD is his name; celebrate before him! 5From his holy dwelling God acts as father to orphans and defender of widows. 6God gives the lonely a home to live in; he leads prisoners out into well-being, but rebels stay in a sunbaked land. 7God, you went out at the head of your people; you strode through the desert. Selah 8The earth trembled and the sky streamed with rain before God, the God of Sinai; before God, Israel’s God. 9God, you sent showers of generous rain; when your land was worn out, you restored it. 10Your flock found a home there; out of your goodness, God, you made ready what the afflicted needed. 11The Lord speaks the word, and a great army of women spreads the good news: 12“Kings with their armies run, they run away, and the woman who stayed at home shares out the spoil.” 13Even if you men lie among the sheep pens, there are a dove’s wings sheathed in silver, its feathers shining with pale gold. 14When the Almighty scattered kings across the land, snow came down on Zalmon. 15Mount Bashan is a mighty mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. 16Why do you glare in envy, you many-peaked mountains, at the mountain God longed for as his home? There the LORD will live for all time. 17God’s chariots number twenty thousand, thousands more again; the Lord is among them, and Sinai has come into the holy place. 18You climbed to the heights and led away a band of captives; you accepted tribute from human beings, even from those who rebelled, so that the LORD God could make a home there. 19Blessed be the Lord, who carries our load day after day, the God who saves us. Selah 20This God of ours is a God of rescues; the Lord GOD holds the ways of escape from death. 21Yes, God will smash the skulls of his enemies, the hairy scalps of those who keep walking in their guilt. 22The Lord has spoken: “I will fetch them back from Bashan, fetch them back from the deepest sea, 23so that you may plunge your feet in blood, and your dogs’ tongues may have their share of the enemy.” 24Your solemn marches have been seen, God, the marches of my God, my King, as he enters the holy place. 25The singers lead the way, the players of strings follow, and all around them young women beat their tambourines. 26Bless God in the great assemblies; bless the LORD, you who spring from Israel’s fountain. 27There goes little Benjamin in the lead, the princes of Judah in their crowded ranks, then Zebulun’s princes and Naphtali’s princes. 28Your God has decreed your strength, Israel. Show your might, God, as you have acted for us before. 29On account of your temple high over Jerusalem, kings will carry tribute to you. 30Rebuke the beast that lurks among the reeds, that herd of bulls with the calves of the nations, until they come bowing low with bars of silver. God has scattered the peoples who love war. 31High officials will come out of Egypt; Cush will quickly lift its hands in prayer to God. 32Sing to God, all you kingdoms on earth; make music for the Lord. Selah 33Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, the heaven of heavens; listen, he lets his voice ring out, his voice of power. 34Declare that power belongs to God! His majesty rests over Israel; his might is in the clouds. 35God, you inspire awe from your holy places; Israel’s God is the one who gives his people strength and might. Blessed be God!