Psalms 68

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,

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,

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.

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 people at Sinai,

you came with thousands

of mighty chariots.

₁₈When you climbed

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,

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.

₃₀Punish that animal

that lives in the swamp!

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.

₃₁Force the Egyptians to bring

gifts of bronze;

make the Ethiopians hurry

to offer presents.

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!