Psalms 68

1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him.

1Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him run away from him.

2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

2Drive them away like smoke is blown by the wind; as wax melts near a fire, let the wicked perish in the presence of God.

3But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness.

3But let the righteous be happy and celebrate before God; yes, let them be filled with joy.

4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.

4Sing to God, sing praises to his name; prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts. His name is Jehovah; celebrate in his presence.

5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.

5God in his holy home is a father to orphans and a defender of widows.

6God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

6God places lonely people in families and leads prisoners out into prosperity, but those who rebel must live in a scorched land.

7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; [Selah

7O God, when you led your people out, when you marched through the dry wasteland; [Selah]

8The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

8The earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God; even Mount Sinai trembled before God, the God of Israel.

9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

9O God, you sent plenty of rain; you refreshed your people when they were worn out. Sounds like a lot.

10Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor.

10Your people settled there; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the poor. village.

11The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host.

11The Lord gave the command, and a great company of women spread the news.

12Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil.

12Kings and their armies flee in a hurry; the women at home divide the treasure.

13When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is asthe wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold.

13Even if you sleep among the sheepfolds, you will be like the wings of a dove covered in silver and feathers of shining gold.

14When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as whenit snoweth in Zalmon.

14When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it was like snow falling on Mount Zalmon.

15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan.

15The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; the mountains of Bashan have many high peaks.

16Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever.

16Why do you look with envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to live? Indeed, Jehovah will live there forever.

17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.

17God has tens of thousands of chariots, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them as he was at Sinai, in his holy place.

18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them.

18You went up to the heights taking many captives with you; you received gifts from people, even from those who rebelled, so that Jehovah God might live there.

19Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. [Selah

19Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens every day, the God who is our salvation. [Selah]

20God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death.

20Our God is a God who saves; the Sovereign Jehovah provides a way to escape death.

21But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness.

21But God will smash the heads of his enemies—the hairy scalps of those who continue in their sins.

22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bringthem again from the depths of the sea;

22The Lord said, 'I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,

23That thou mayest crush them, dipping thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies.

23so that you can crush them and dip your feet in their blood, and even your dogs can have their share of your enemies.'

24They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.

24O God, people have seen your procession—the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.

25The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels.

25The singers lead the way, followed by the musicians, with young women playing tambourines in between.

26Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel.

26Praise God in the great assembly; praise the Lord, all you who come from the fountain of Israel.

27There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

27There is the small tribe of Benjamin leading them, the princes of Judah with their group, and the princes of Zebulun and Naphtali.

28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.

28Your God has decreed your strength; show your power, O God, as you have done for us before.

29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee.

29Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring gifts to you.

30Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war.

30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the nations, until they bow down with pieces of silver; he scatters the nations that love war.

31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God.

31Ambassadors will come from Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly reach out her hands to God.

32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; [Selah

32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord. [Selah]

33To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice.

33Sing to him who rides across the ancient heavens; listen, he speaks with a mighty voice.

34Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies.

34Proclaim the power of God! His majesty is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

35O God, you are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!