Psalms 68 – Let God Arise, Let His Enemies Be Scattered
A triumphant march from Sinai to the sanctuary at Jerusalem.
This chapter of the Psalms overview begins with a battle cry, God arising to scatter His enemies, then widens into praise of Him as a father of the fatherless and a judge of widows. It builds on the short blessing of Psalms 67 with a far grander procession.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm [or] Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
\\68:1\\To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
\\68:2\\As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
\\68:3\\But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yes, let them exceedingly rejoice.
\\68:4\\Sing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
\\68:5\\A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
\\68:6\\God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
\\68:7\\O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:
\\68:8\\The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
\\68:9\\Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, by which thou didst confirm thy inheritance, when it was weary.
\\68:10\\Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
\\68:11\\The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
\\68:12\\Kings of armies fled apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.
\\68:13\\Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
\\68:14\\When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
\\68:15\\The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; a high hill as the hill of Bashan.
\\68:16\\Why leap ye, ye lofty hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yes, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.
\\68:17\\The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.
\\68:18\\Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
\\68:19\\Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
\\68:20\\He that is our God is the God of salvation; and to GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.
\\68:21\\But God will wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
\\68:22\\The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea.
\\68:23\\That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.
\\68:24\\They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
\\68:25\\The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
\\68:26\\Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.
\\68:27\\There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their counsel, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.
\\68:28\\Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.
\\68:29\\Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents to thee.
\\68:30\\Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one shall submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
\\68:31\\Princes shall come out of Egypt; Cush shall soon stretch out her hands to God.
\\68:32\\Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises to the Lord; Selah:
\\68:33\\To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.
\\68:34\\Ascribe ye strength to God: his excellence is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
\\68:35\\O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power to his people. Blessed be God.