A National Song of TriumphPs 68 Hebrew title: A psalm by David; a song.

1God rises up and scatters his enemies.

Those who hate him run away in defeat.

2As smoke is blown away, so he drives them off;

as wax melts in front of the fire,

so do the wicked perish in God's presence.

3But the righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence;

they are happy and shout for joy.

4Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

prepare a way for him who rides on the clouds.68.4 on the clouds; or across the desert.

His name is the LORD — be glad in his presence!

5God, who lives in his sacred Temple,

cares for orphans and protects widows.

6He gives the lonely a home to live in

and leads prisoners out into happy freedom,

but rebels will have to live in a desolate land.

7O God, when you led your people,

when you marched across the desert,

868.8: Ex 19.18the earth shook, and the sky poured down rain,

because of the coming of the God of Sinai,68.8 God of Sinai: As the people of Israel went from Egypt to Canaan, God revealed himself to them at Mount Sinai (see Ex 19.16–25).

the coming of the God of Israel.

9You caused abundant rain to fall

and restored your worn-out land;

10your people made their home there;

in your goodness you provided for the poor.

11The Lord gave the command,

and many women carried the news:

12“Kings and their armies are running away!”

The women at home divided what was captured:

13figures of doves covered with silver,

whose wings glittered with fine gold.

(Why did some of you stay among the sheep pens on the day of battle?)

14When Almighty God scattered the kings on Mount Zalmon,

he caused snow to fall there.

15What a mighty mountain is Bashan,

a mountain of many peaks!

16Why from your mighty peaks do you look with scorn

on the mountain68.16 mountain: See 2.6. on which God chose to live?

The LORD will live there for ever!

17With his many thousands of mighty chariots

the Lord comes from Sinai68.17 Probable text comes from Sinai; Hebrew in them, Sinai. into the holy place.

1868.18: Eph 4.8He goes up to the heights,

taking many captives with him;

he receives gifts from rebellious people.

The LORD God will live there.

19Praise the Lord,

who carries our burdens day after day;

he is the God who saves us.

20Our God is a God who saves;

he is the LORD, our Lord,

who rescues us from death.

21God will surely break the heads of his enemies,

of those who persist in their sinful ways.

22The Lord has said, “I will bring your enemies back from Bashan;

I will bring them back from the depths of the ocean,

23so that you may wade in their blood,

and your dogs may lap up as much as they want.”

24O God, your march of triumph is seen by all,

the procession of God, my king, into his sanctuary.

25The singers are in front, the musicians are behind,

in between are the young women beating the tambourines.

26“Praise God in the meeting of his people;

praise the LORD, all you descendants of Jacob!”

27First comes Benjamin, the smallest tribe,

then the leaders of Judah with their group,

followed by the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.

28Show your power, O God,

the power you have used on our behalf

29from your Temple in Jerusalem,

where kings bring gifts to you.

30Rebuke Egypt, that wild animal in the reeds;

rebuke the nations, that herd of bulls with their calves,

until they all bow down and offer you their silver.

Scatter those people who love to make war!68.30 Verse 30 in Hebrew is unclear.

31Ambassadors68.31 Some ancient translations Ambassadors; Hebrew unclear. will come from Egypt;

the Ethiopians68.31 Ethiopians: See Word List. will raise their hands in prayer to God.

32Sing to God, kingdoms of the world,

sing praise to the Lord,

33to him who rides in the sky,

the ancient sky.

Listen to him shout with a mighty roar.

34Proclaim God's power;

his majesty is over Israel,

his might is in the skies.

35How awesome is God as he comes from his sanctuary —

the God of Israel!

He gives strength and power to his people.

Praise God!