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Praise and Thanksgiving

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 [a]Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered;
    let those who hate him flee before him!
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
    as wax melts before fire,
    let the wicked perish before God!
But let the righteous be joyful;
    let them exult before God;
    let them be jubilant with joy!

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
    lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds;[b]
    his name is the Lord, exult before him!

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to dwell in;
    he leads out the prisoners to prosperity;
    but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

O God, when thou didst go forth before thy people,
    when thou didst march through the wilderness,Selah
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
    at the presence of God;
yon Sinai quaked at the presence of God,
    the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, thou didst shed abroad;
    thou didst restore thy heritage as it languished;
10 thy flock found a dwelling in it;
    in thy goodness, O God, thou didst provide for the needy.

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Footnotes

  1. 68 This is one of the most ancient compositions in the Psalter and has been influenced by Canaanite motifs and representations.
  2. Psalm 68:4 Or cast up a highway for him who rides through the deserts

Psalm 68[a]

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

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

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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 68:1 In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36.
  2. Psalm 68:4 Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts
  3. Psalm 68:6 Or the desolate in a homeland
  4. Psalm 68:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.

32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
    sing praises to the Lord,Selah
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
    lo, he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God,
    whose majesty is over Israel,
    and his power is in the skies.
35 Terrible is God in his[a] sanctuary,
    the God of Israel,
    he gives power and strength to his people.

Blessed be God!

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 68:35 Gk: Heb from thy

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,(A)
    sing praise(B) to the Lord,
33 to him who rides(C) across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
    who thunders(D) with mighty voice.(E)
34 Proclaim the power(F) of God,
    whose majesty(G) is over Israel,
    whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome(H) in your sanctuary;(I)
    the God of Israel gives power and strength(J) to his people.(K)

Praise be to God!(L)

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