68:1 GOD IS [already] beginning to arise, and His enemies to scatter; let them also who hate Him flee before Him! |
68:2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before the presence of God. |
68:3 But let the [uncompromisingly] righteous be glad; let them be in high spirits {and} glory before God, yes, let them [jubilantly] rejoice! |
68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts--His name is the Lord--be in high spirits {and} glory before Him! |
68:5 A father of the fatherless and a judge {and} protector of the widows {is} God in His holy habitation. |
68:6 God places the solitary in families {and} gives the desolate a home in which to dwell; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. |
68:7 O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness--Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!-- |
68:8 The earth trembled, the heavens also poured down [rain] at the presence of God; yonder Sinai quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel. |
68:9 You, O God, did send a plentiful rain; You did restore {and} confirm Your heritage when it languished {and} was weary. |
68:10 Your flock found a dwelling place in it; You, O God, in Your goodness did provide for the poor {and} needy. |
68:11 The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear {and} publish [the news] are a great host. |
68:12 The kings of the enemies' armies, they flee, they flee! She who tarries at home divides the spoil [left behind]. |
68:13 Though you [the slackers] may lie among the sheepfolds [in slothful ease, yet for Israel] the wings of a dove are covered with silver, its pinions excessively green with gold [are trophies taken from the enemy]. |
68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in [the land], it was as when it snows on Zalmon [a wooded hill near Shechem]. |
68:15 Is Mount Bashan the high mountain of summits, Mount Bashan [east of the Jordan] the mount of God? |
68:16 Why do you look with grudging {and} envy, you many-peaked mountains, at the mountain [of the city called Zion] which God has desired for His dwelling place? Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever. |
68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them as He was in Sinai, [so also] in the Holy Place (the sanctuary in Jerusalem). |
68:18 You have ascended on high. You have led away captive a train of vanquished foes; You have received gifts of men, yes, of the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell there with them. |
68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens {and} carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! |
68:20 God is to us a God of deliverances {and} salvation; and to God the Lord belongs escape from death [setting us free]. |
68:21 But God will shatter the heads of His enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as goes on still in his trespasses {and} guilty ways. |
68:22 The Lord said, I will bring back [your enemies] from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the [Red] Sea, |
68:23 That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from the foe. |
68:24 They see Your goings, O God, even the [solemn processions] of my God, my King, into the sanctuary [in holiness]. |
68:25 The singers go in front, the players on instruments last; between them the maidens are playing on tambourines. |
68:26 Bless, give thanks, {and} gratefully praise God in full congregations, even the Lord, O you who are from [Jacob] the fountain of Israel. |
68:27 There is little Benjamin in the lead [in the procession], the princes of Judah and their company, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. |
68:28 Your God has commanded your strength [your might in His service and impenetrable hardness to temptation]; O God, display Your might {and} strengthen what You have wrought for us! |
68:29 [Out of respect] for Your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bring gifts to You. |
68:30 Rebuke the wild beasts dwelling among the reeds [in Egypt], the herd of bulls (the leaders) with the calves of the peoples; trample underfoot those who lust for tribute money; scatter the peoples who delight in war. |
68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands [with the offerings of submission] to God. |
68:32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! |
68:33 [Sing praises] to Him Who rides upon the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, He sends forth His voice, His mighty voice. |
68:34 Ascribe power {and} strength to God; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength {and} might are in the skies. |
68:35 O God, awe-inspiring, profoundly impressive, {and} terrible are You out of Your holy places; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and fullness of might to His people. Blessed be God! |