Psalm 68

The God Of Sinai And Of The Sanctuary.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. 1Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered;
Let those who hate Him flee before Him. 2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked and guilty perish before [the presence of] God. 3But let the righteous be glad; let them be in good spirits before God,
Yes, let them rejoice with delight. 4Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the desert—
His name is the LORD—be in good spirits before Him. 5A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation. 6God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7O God, when You went out before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah. 8The earth trembled;
The heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9You, O God, sent abroad plentiful rain;
You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched and weary. 10Your flock found a dwelling place in it;
O God, in Your goodness You provided for the poor. 11The Lord gives the command [to take Canaan];
The women who proclaim the good news are a great host (army); 12“The kings of the [enemies’] armies flee, they flee,
And the beautiful woman who remains at home divides the spoil [left behind].” 13When you lie down [to rest] among the sheepfolds,
You [Israel] are like the wings of a dove [of victory] overlaid with silver,
Its feathers glistening with gold [trophies taken from the enemy]. 14When the Almighty scattered [the Canaanite] kings in the land of Canaan,
It was snowing on Zalmon. 15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A [high] mountain of many summits is Mount Bashan [rising east of the Jordan]. 16Why do you look with envy, mountains with many peaks,
At the mountain [of the city of Zion] which God has desired for His dwelling place?
Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever. 17The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands;
The Lord is among them as He was at Sinai, in holiness. 18You have ascended on high, You have led away captive Your captives;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious also, that the LORD God may dwell there. 19Blessed be the Lord, who bears our burden day by day,
The God who is our salvation! Selah. 20God is to us a God of acts of salvation;
And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death [setting us free]. 21Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of one who goes on in his guilty ways. 22The Lord said, “I will bring your enemies back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the [Red] Sea, 23That your foot may crush them in blood,
That the tongue of your dogs may have its share from your enemies.” 24They have seen Your [solemn] procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary [in holiness]. 25The singers go in front, the players of instruments last;
Between them the maidens playing on tambourines. 26Bless God in the congregations, [give thanks, gratefully praise Him],
The LORD, you who are from [Jacob] the fountain of Israel. 27The youngest is there, Benjamin, ruling them,
The princes of Judah and their company [the southern tribes],
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali [the northern tribes]. 28Your God has commanded your strength [your power in His service and your resistance to temptation];
Show Yourself strong, O God, who acted on our behalf. 29Because of Your temple at Jerusalem
[Pagan] kings will bring gifts to You [out of respect]. 30Rebuke the beasts [living] among the reeds [in Egypt],
The herd of bulls (the leaders) with the calves of the peoples;
Trampling underfoot the pieces of silver;
He has scattered the peoples who delight in war. 31Princes and envoys shall come from Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands [with the offerings of submission] to God. 32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
Sing praises to the Lord! Selah. 33To Him who rides in the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
Behold, He sends out His voice, a mighty and majestic voice. 34Ascribe strength to God;
His majesty is over Israel
And His strength is in the skies. 35O God, You are awesome and profoundly majestic from Your sanctuary;
The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!