Verse

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

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

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

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).
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