Psalm chapter 68
English Standard Version
1 God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! 2As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! 3But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! 4Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah 8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; 10your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. 11The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: 12 "The kings of the armies — they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil — 13though you men lie among the sheepfolds — the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold. 14When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon. 15O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan! 16Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the Lord will dwell forever? 17 The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary. 18 You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there. 19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah 20Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death. 21 But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. 22The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe." 24Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary — 25 the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines: 26 "Bless God in the great congregation, the Lord, O you who are of Israel 's fountain!" 27There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28 Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. 30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah 33to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. 35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel — he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
New International Version
1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.
3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. 4Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds ; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. 5A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
6God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. 7When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, 8the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. 11The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: 12"Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder. 13Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."
14When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon. 15Mount Bashan, majestic mountain, Mount Bashan, rugged mountain, 16why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the Lord himself will dwell forever? 17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there. 19Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 20Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. 21Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. 22The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
23that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share." 24Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. 25In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the young women playing the timbrels. 26Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.
27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali. 28Summon your power, God ; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before. 29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts. 30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God. 32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, 33to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. 34Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.
New American Standard Bible
1 May God arise, may His enemies be scattered, And may those who hate Him flee from His presence. 2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before a fire, So the wicked will perish before God. 3But the righteous will be joyful; they will rejoice before God; Yes, they will rejoice with gladness. 4Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Exalt Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the Lord, and be jubilant before Him. 5A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy dwelling. 6God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious live in parched lands. 7God, when You went forth before Your people, When You marched through the desert, Selah 8The earth quaked; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9You made plentiful rain fall, God; You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched. 10Your creatures settled in it; In Your kindness You provided for the poor, God. 11The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim good news are a great army: 12'Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home will divide the spoils!' 13 When you lie down among the sheepfolds, You are like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And its pinions with glistening gold. 14When the Almighty scattered the kings there, It was snowing in Zalmon. 15The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of God; The mountain of Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. 16Why do you look with envy, you mountains of many peaks, At the mountain God has desired as His dwelling? Indeed, the Lord will dwell there forever. 17The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness. 18You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among people, Even among the rebellious as well, that the Lord God may dwell there. 19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah 20God is to us a God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong ways of escape from death. 21God certainly will shatter the heads of His enemies, The hairy head of one who goes about in his guilt. 22The Lord said, 'I will bring them back from Bashan. I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23So that your foot may shatter them in blood, And the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.' 24They have seen Your procession, God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25The singers went on, the musicians after them, In the midst of the young women beating tambourines. 26Bless God in the congregations, Even the Lord, you who are of the fountain of Israel. 27Benjamin, the youngest, is there, ruling them, The leaders of Judah in their company, The leaders of Zebulun, the leaders of Naphtali. 28 Your God has commanded your strength; Show Yourself strong, God, You who acted in our behalf. 29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem Kings will bring gifts to You. 30Rebuke the animals in the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Trampling the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war. 31 Messengers will come from Egypt; Cush will quickly stretch out her hands to God. 32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, Sing praises to the Lord, Selah 33To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He speaks with His voice, a mighty voice. 34Ascribe strength to God; His majesty is over Israel, And His strength is in the skies. 35 God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!
Christian Standard Bible
1For the choir director. A psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies scatter, and those who hate him flee from his presence. 2As smoke is blown away, so you blow them away. As wax melts before the fire, so the wicked are destroyed before God.
3But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. 4Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds — his name is the Lord —and celebrate before him. 5God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows.
7God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the desert, Selah 8the earth trembled and the skies poured rain before God, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9You, God, showered abundant rain; you revived your inheritance when it languished.
10Your people settled in it; God, you provided for the poor by your goodness. 11The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the good news: 12"The kings of the armies flee—they flee!" She who stays at home divides the spoil. 13While you lie among the sheep pens, the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and its feathers with glistening gold.
14When the Almighty scattered kings in the land, it snowed on Zalmon. 15Mount Bashan is God’s towering mountain; Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. 16Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks, at the mountain God desired for his abode? The Lord will dwell there forever! 17God’s chariots are tens of thousands, thousands and thousands; the Lord is among them in the sanctuary as he was at Sinai.
19Blessed be the Lord! Day after day he bears our burdens; God is our salvation. Selah 20Our God is a God of salvation, and escape from death belongs to the Lord my Lord. 21Surely God crushes the heads of his enemies, the hairy brow of one who goes on in his guilty acts. 22The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the sea 23so that your foot may wade in blood and your dogs’ tongues may have their share from the enemies." 24People have seen your procession, God, the procession of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25Singers lead the way, with musicians following; among them are young women playing tambourines. 26Bless God in the assemblies; bless the Lord from the fountain of Israel.
27There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them, the rulers of Judah in their assembly, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali. 28Your God has decreed your strength. Show your strength, God, you who have acted on our behalf. 29Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring tribute to you. 30Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war.
32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing praise to the Lord, Selah 33to him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens. Look, he thunders with his powerful voice! 34Ascribe power to God. His majesty is over Israel, his power is among the clouds. 35God, you are awe-inspiring in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
New Living Translation
1Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. 2Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. 3But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. 4Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence!
5Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7O God, when you led your people out from Egypt, when you marched through the dry wasteland, Interlude 8the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land. 10There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people.
11The Lord gives the word, and a great army brings the good news. 12Enemy kings and their armies flee, while the women of Israel divide the plunder. 13Even those who lived among the sheepfolds found treasures — doves with wings of silver and feathers of gold. 14The Almighty scattered the enemy kings like a blowing snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
15The mountains of Bashan are majestic, with many peaks stretching high into the sky. 16Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountains, at Mount Zion, where God has chosen to live, where the Lord himself will live forever?
17Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots, the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary. 18When you ascended to the heights, you led a crowd of captives. You received gifts from the people, even from those who rebelled against you. Now the Lord God will live among us there.
19Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Interlude 20Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.
21But God will smash the heads of his enemies, crushing the skulls of those who love their guilty ways. 22The Lord says, 'I will bring my enemies down from Bashan; I will bring them up from the depths of the sea. 23You, my people, will wash your feet in their blood, and even your dogs will get their share!'
24Your procession has come into view, O God — the procession of my God and King as he goes into the sanctuary. 25Singers are in front, musicians behind; between them are young women playing tambourines. 26Praise God, all you people of Israel; praise the Lord, the source of Israel’s life. 27Look, the little tribe of Benjamin leads the way. Then comes a great throng of rulers from Judah and all the rulers of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28Summon your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as you have in the past. 29The kings of the earth are bringing tribute to your Temple in Jerusalem. 30Rebuke these enemy nations — these wild animals lurking in the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Make them bring bars of silver in humble tribute. Scatter the nations that delight in war. 31Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals ; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.} Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 2 As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. 4Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him. 5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. 6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
8The earth shook; The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God; Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, Whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, When it was weary. 10Your congregation dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor. 11The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it: 12“Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home divides the spoil. 13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, You will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her feathers with yellow gold.” 14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Zalmon. 15A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A mountain of many peaks is the mountain of Bashan. 16Why do you fume with envy, you mountains of many peaks? This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in; Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever. 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, Even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. 18 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there.
20Our God is the God of salvation; And to God the Lord belong escapes from death. 21But God will wound the head of His enemies, The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses. 22The Lord said, “I will bring back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea, 23 That your foot may crush them in blood, And the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.” 24They have seen Your procession, O God, The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing timbrels. 26Bless God in the congregations, The Lord, from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin, their leader, The princes of Judah and their company, The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali. 28Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us. 29Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You. 30Rebuke the beasts of the reeds, The herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, Till everyone submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31 Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.
33To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, And His strength is in the clouds. 35O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!
What does Psalm chapter 68 mean?
This psalm repeats themes seen in psalms 66 and 67 about worldwide praise for the Lord God. This psalm uses especially vivid imagery to depict God coming to Zion—meaning Jerusalem—to establish His presence. The psalm is labeled "of David," though this might be a reference to style, and not a suggestion that David personally wrote it. The song's depictions of victory might be a summary of David's successful career. Another possible inspiration is when David conquered the Jebusites and established Jerusalem as Israel's capital (2 Samuel 5). Yet another is that this psalm commemorates when David brought the ark of the covenant to Zion (2 Samuel 6).The opening lines of this psalm rephrase a rallying cry Moses used when moving the ark of the covenant (Numbers 10:35). God is depicted as invincible, brushing aside enemies like smoke, and melting them like wax. The psalm also contrasts those who hate and reject the Lord with the people who follow Him into righteousness. God is to be praised. Among the motives for worship are His care for the disadvantaged and rejection of the wicked. This opening passage hints at the Lord's provision for Israel during their time in the wilderness (Psalm 68:1–6).
When Israel wandered in a desert wilderness (Numbers 14:30–35), God was still protecting them. Though the nation was severely tested, God made good on His guarantee to bring them into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14–17). Israel's rise under the Lord's guidance is imagined as a dove covered in precious metals taking flight. This passage also refers to Bashan (Numbers 21:33–35), where the Lord provided Israel with victory against an enemy. Rather than more exotic places such as Bashan, God has chosen Zion for His presence (Psalm 68:7–18).
Intense imagery continues with praise to God for His past and future salvation. Some references may refer to the wilderness experience, such as mention of the sea (Exodus 14:21–22) and Bashan (Numbers 14:30–35). The "hairy crown" might refer to luxurious, long hair—perhaps a reference to a particular enemy, or a general comment about kings who oppose God. Despite trials, the psalmist describes a parade into the sanctuary. This is filled with music, worship, and representatives of the tribes of Israel (Psalm 68:19–27).
The psalm ends with another appeal for the Lord to be worshipped across the world. The language here may be prophetic: looking ahead to when the Messiah will directly rule the world. God is described as "awesome:" a term which originally meant something astounding or overwhelming. Mentions of beasts and bulls may be symbolic of certain enemy nations. In the end, God will rule from His sanctuary and the entire world will come to pay Him tribute (Psalm 68:28–35).
