Psalm 68: 1-18

May 29, 2024 12:01 AM

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;     may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke—     as wax melts before the fire,     may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad     and rejoice before God;     may they be happy and joyful.


Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,     extol him who rides on the clouds[b];     rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,     is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families,[c]     he leads out the prisoners with singing;     but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.


When you, God, went out before your people,     when you marched through the wilderness,[d] the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,     before God, the One of Sinai,     before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God;     you refreshed your weary inheritance. 10 Your people settled in it,     and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.


11 The Lord announces the word,     and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: 12 “Kings and armies flee in haste;     the women at home divide the plunder. 13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,[e]     the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,     its feathers with shining gold.” 14 When the Almighty[f] scattered the kings in the land,     it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.


15 Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,     Mount Bashan, rugged mountain, 16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,     at the mountain where God chooses to reign,     where the Lord himself will dwell forever? 17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands     and thousands of thousands;     the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.[g] 18 When you ascended on high,     you took many captives;     you received gifts from people, even from[h] the rebellious—     that you,[i] Lord God, might dwell there.