Psalm 68:1-11

New International Reader's Version

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

68 May God rise up and scatter his enemies.
    May they turn and run away from him.
²    May you, God, blow them away like smoke.
As fire melts wax,
    so may God destroy sinful people.
³But may those who do what is right be glad
    and filled with joy when they are with him.
    May they be happy and joyful.

⁴Sing to God, sing praise to his name.
    Lift up a song to the God who rides on the clouds.
    Be glad when you are with him.
    His name is the Lord.
⁵God is in his holy temple.
    He is a father to children whose fathers have died.
    He takes care of women whose husbands have died.
⁶God gives lonely people a family.
    He sets prisoners free, and they go out singing.
But those who refuse to obey him
    live in a land that is baked by the sun.

⁷God, you led your people out.
    You marched through the desert.
⁸The ground shook
    when you, the God of Sinai, appeared.
The heavens poured down rain
    when you, the God of Israel, appeared.
⁹God, you gave us plenty of rain.
    You renewed your worn-out land.
¹⁰God, your people made their homes in it.
    From all your riches, you provided for those who were poor.