(A psalm and a song by David for the music leader.)

God will win the battle

1Do something, God!

Scatter your hateful enemies.

Make them turn and run.

2Scatter them like smoke!

When you come near,

make them melt

like wax in a fire.

3But let your people be happy

and celebrate because of you.

4Our God, you are the one

who rides on the clouds,

and we praise you.

Your name is the LORD,

and we celebrate

as we worship you.

5Our God, from your sacred home

you take care of orphans

and protect widows.

6You find families

for those who are lonely.

You set prisoners free

and let them prosper,68.6 and let them prosper: Or “and give them a song”.

but all who rebel will live

in a scorching desert.

7You set your people free,

and you led them

through the desert.

8God of Israel,68.8: Ex 19.18.

the earth trembled,

and rain poured down.

You alone are the God

who rules from Mount Sinai.

9When your land was thirsty,

you sent showers

to refresh it.

10Your people settled there,

and you were generous

to everyone in need.

11You gave the command,

and a chorus of women told

what had happened:

12“Kings and their armies

retreated and ran,

and everything they left

is now being divided.

13And for those who stayed back

to guard the sheep,

there are metal doves

with silver-coated wings

and shiny gold feathers.”

14God All-Powerful, you scattered

the kings like snow falling

on Mount Zalmon.68.14 Mount Zalmon: The location of this mountain is not known.

15Our LORD and our God,

Bashan is a mighty mountain

covered with peaks.

16Why is it jealous of Zion,

the mountain you chose

as your home for ever?

17When you, LORD God, appeared

to your people68.17 to your people: Or “in all your holiness” or “in your holy place”. at Sinai,

you came with thousands

of mighty chariots.

18When you climbed68.18: Eph 4.8.

the high mountain,

you took prisoners with you

and were given gifts.

Your enemies didn't want you

to live there,

but they gave you gifts.

19We praise you, Lord God!

You treat us with kindness

day after day,

and you rescue us.

20You always protect us

and save us from death.

21Our Lord and our God,

your terrible enemies

are ready for war,68.21 are ready for war: The Hebrew text has “have long hair”, which probably refers to the ancient custom of wearing long hair on special occasions, such as a “holy war”.

but you will crush

their skulls.

22You promised to bring them

from Bashan

and from the deepest sea.

23Then we could stamp

on their blood,

and our dogs could chew

on their bones.

24We have seen crowds marching

to your place of worship,

our God and King.

25The singers come first,

and then the musicians,

surrounded by young women

playing tambourines.

26They come shouting,

“People of Israel,

praise the LORD God!”

27The small tribe of Benjamin

leads the way,

followed by the leaders

from Judah.

Then come the leaders

from Zebulun and Naphtali.

28Our God, show your strength!

Show us once again.

29Then kings will bring gifts

to your temple

in Jerusalem.68.28,29 Our God…Jerusalem: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 28,29.

30Punish that animal

that lives in the swamp!68.30 animal…swamp: Probably Egypt.

Punish that nation

whose leaders and people

are like wild bulls.

Make them come crawling

with gifts of silver.

Scatter those nations

that enjoy making war.68.30 war: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 30.

31Force the Egyptians to bring

gifts of bronze;

make the Ethiopians68.31 the Ethiopians: The Hebrew text has “the people of Cush”, which was a region south of Egypt that included parts of the present countries of Ethiopia and Sudan. hurry

to offer presents.68.31 presents: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 31.

32Now sing praises to God!

Every kingdom on earth,

sing to the Lord!

33Praise the one who rides

across the ancient skies;

listen as he speaks

with a mighty voice.

34Tell about God's power!

He is honoured in Israel,

and he rules the skies.

35The God of Israel is fearsome

in his temple,

and he makes us strong.

Let's praise our God!