Psalm 68
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Purpose: To celebrate God's victories over his enemies and protection of his people
Content: "Ascribe strength to God!" He scatters his enemies and they submit to him. He delivers his people and provides for them.
Message: The God of Israel is to be feared for his great power, and to be celebrated for his loyalty to his people.
Author: David
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Overview
Translation
Click 'Expand' to the right to see our Close-but-Clear translation of Psalm 68.
- 1. For the director
- By David
- A Psalm
- A Song
- 2. God arises, his enemies scatter;
- and those who hate him flee from his presence.
- 3. As smoke is driven away, so you drive [them] away.
- As wax melts before a fire,
- so the wicked perish before God.
- 4. But the righteous exult joyfully before God;
- and they shout with a joyful sound.
- 5. Sing to God! Sing praise to his name!
- Bank up [a way] for the one who rides through the desert—his name is Yah—
- and celebrate before him—
- 6. father of orphans, and judge of widows!
- God is in his holy dwelling place.
- 7. God is the one who settles the desolate in a home,
- who skilfully releases prisoners.
- Rebels, however, dwell in a parched land.
- 8. God, when you went out before your people,
- when you marched through the wilderness, selah,
- 9. The earth quaked
- and the heavens also poured
- before God, the one of Sinai—
- before God, the God of Israel.
- 10. You would shower abundant rain, God.
- [Behold!] your inheritance, wearied! You established it.
- 11. Your living creatures dwelt in it.
- You would prepare [it] for the afflicted with your goodness, God.
- 12. The Lord gives a word.
- The messengers are a large army.
- 13. Kings of armies—[these] will flee [and then those] will flee.
- And the beautiful one of the house will divide the spoil.
- 14. If you lie down between the borders,
- the dove’s wings are covered with silver,
- and its pinions with the yellow of gold.
- 15. When Shaddai scatters kings on it—
- it will snow on Zalmon.
- 16. Mount Bashan is the mountain of “God”;
- Mount Bashan is a many-peaked mountain.
- 17. Why—mountains, many-peaked ones—, do you intently watch
- the mountain where God desired to dwell?
- Indeed, YHWH will dwell [there] forever.
- 18. God’s chariotry is countless—thousands upon thousands.
- The Lord is among them—[the One] of Sinai is [among them] in his holiness.
- 19. You went up on high, you took captives captive—
- you received gifts among mankind—
- and (you also took captive) rebels, that they may dwell with Yah God.
- 20. May the Lord be blessed!
- Daily he bears [our burden] for us—
- God our salvation, selah.
- 21. God is a God of deliverance for us.
- And the ways of escape from death belong to YHWH the Lord.
- 22. Indeed, God will crush the heads of his enemies—
- the hairy crown of the one who walks about in his guilt.
- 23. The Lord said, ‘I will bring [you] back from Bashan.
- I will bring [you] back from the depths of the sea
- 24. so that your foot may wade in blood.
- As for the tongues of your dogs, their portion will be from enemies.
- 25. Your processions are seen, God—
- the processions of my God, my king, into the sanctuary.
- 26. The singers went in front, the musicians behind,
- among all the young women playing drums.
- 27. Bless God in the assembly!
- [Bless] YHWH, you who are from the source of Israel!
- 28. There is Benjamin, the young one, their ruler.
- [There are] the princes of Judah with their throng.
- [There are] the princes of Zebulun, [there are] the princes of Naphtali.
- 29. Your God has commanded your strength.
- Show your strength, God,You who have acted for us!
- 30. Because of your temple [which is] above Jerusalem,
- kings will bring gifts to you.
- 31. Rebuke the beast of the reed, the herd of bulls among the calves—the people—
- those who trample down others by crushing them for silver!
- He has scattered people that delight in battles.
- 32. Nobles will come from Egypt.
- Cush will hasten his hands towards God.
- 33. Sing to God, kingdoms of the earth!
- Sing praises to the Lord—selah—
- 34. to him who rides on the highest heavens of old!
- Look! He raises his voice—a mighty voice.
- 35. Ascribe strength to God!
- His greatness is over Israel,
- and his strength is in the skies.
- 36. You, God, are awesome from your sanctuary.
- The God of Israel—
- he gives strength and might to the people.
- Blessed be God!
The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.
For links to other translations of Psalm 68, click here.
Verse-by-Verse
Click the link to view all of Psalm 68 Verse-by-Verse, or click on an individual verse below.
- v. 1
- v. 2
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- v. 31
- v. 32
- v. 33
- v. 34
- v. 35
- v. 36
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