Psalm 68

Exsurgat Deus

Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *

let those who hate him flee before him.

Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *

as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *

let them also be merry and joyful.

Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;

exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *

Yahweh is his Name, rejoice before him!

Father of orphans, defender of widows, *

God in his holy habitation!

God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *

but the rebels shall live in dry places.

O God, when you went forth before your people, *

when you marched through the wilderness,

The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,

at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *

at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *

you refreshed the land when it was weary.

Your people found their home in it; *

in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.

The Lord gave the word; *

great was the company of women who bore the tidings:

“Kings with their armies are fleeing away; *

the women at home are dividing the spoils.”

Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, *

you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,

whose feathers are like green gold.

When the Almighty scattered kings, *

it was like snow falling in Zalmon.

O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! *

O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!

Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,

at the hill which God chose for his resting place? *

truly, the Lord will dwell there for ever.

The chariots of God are twenty thousand,

even thousands of thousands; *

the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.

You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;

you have received gifts even from your enemies, *

that the Lord God might dwell among them.

Blessed be the Lord day by day, *

the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.

He is our God, the God of our salvation; *

God is the Lord, by whom we escape death.

God shall crush the heads of his enemies, *

and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their wickedness.

The Lord has said, “I will bring them back from Bashan; *

I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;

That your foot may be dipped in blood, *

the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies.”

They see your procession, O God, *

your procession into the sanctuary, my God and my King.

The singers go before, musicians follow after, *

in the midst of maidens playing upon the hand-drums.

Bless God in the congregation; *

bless the Lord, you that are of the fountain of Israel.

There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;

the princes of Judah in a company; *

and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.

Send forth your strength, O God; *

establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.

Kings shall bring gifts to you, *

for your temple’s sake at Jerusalem.

Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, *

and the peoples, a herd of wild bulls with its calves.

Trample down those who lust after silver; *

scatter the peoples that delight in war.

Let tribute be brought out of Egypt; *

let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *

sing praises to the Lord.

He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *

he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.

Ascribe power to God; *

his majesty is over Israel;

his strength is in the skies.

How wonderful is God in his holy places! *

the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!

Blessed be God!