Psalms 68
68
A Song of Triumph
For the Pure and Shining One
David’s poetic song of praise
1God! Arise with awesome power,
and every one of your enemies will scatter in fear!
2Chase them away—all these God-haters.
Blow them away as a puff of smoke.
Melt them away like wax in the fire.
One good look at you and the wicked vanish.
3But let all the righteous be glad!
Yes, let them all rejoice in your presence
and be carried away with gladness. # 68:3 As translated from the Septuagint. The Aramaic is “they rejoice in his sweetness.”
Let them laugh and be radiant with joy!
4Let them sing their celebration-songs
for the coming of the cloud rider whose name is Yah! # 68:4 More than an abbreviation, the name Yah is associated with the God of heaven, the God of highest glory and power.
5-6To the fatherless he is a father.
To the widow he is a champion friend.
The lonely he makes part of a family.
The prisoners # 68:5–6 The Septuagint reads “the bitter ones.” he leads into prosperity until they sing for joy.
This is our Holy God in his Holy Place!
But for the rebels there is heartache and despair. # 68:5–6 Or “they will live in a sun-scorched land.”
7O Lord, it was you who marched in front of your people,
leading them through the wasteland.
Pause in his presence
8The earth shook beneath your feet; the heavens filled with clouds
before the presence of the God of Sinai.
The sacred mountain shook at the sight of the face of Israel’s God.
9You, O God, sent the reviving rain upon your weary inheritance,
showers of blessing to refresh it.
10So there your people settled. # 68:10 Or “For you live among them [in community].” The Hebrew is uncertain.
And in your kindness you provided # 68:10 Or “sustain.” God anticipates our needs and has gone before us to provide for and sustain us in our journey. the poor with abundance.
11God Almighty declares the word of the gospel with power, # 68:11 As translated from the Aramaic.
and the warring women of Zion deliver its message: # 68:11 As translated from the Masoretic Text.
12“The conquering legions have themselves been conquered.
Look at them flee!”
Now Zion’s women are left to gather the spoils.
13When you sleep between sharpened stakes, # 68:13 The Aramaic word shaphya can be translated “sharpened stakes” or “thorns.” This is an obvious prophecy of the cross and our union with Christ as he was crucified.
I see you sparkling like silver and glistening like gold,
covered by the beautiful wings of a dove! # 68:13 As translated from the Aramaic text, this verse contains prophetic hints of Calvary, where Jesus “slept” the sleep of death between the “sharpened stakes” of the cross. The word you is plural and points us to our co-crucifixion with Christ.
14When the Almighty found a king for himself,
it became white as snow in his shade. # 68:14 Every scholar consulted concludes that this verse is difficult, if not impossible, to interpret properly and translate accurately. The last words are literally “Snow fell in Zalmon.” Zalmon (or Salmon) was a wooded area and means “shady.”
15-16O huge, magnificent mountain,
you are the mighty kingdom of God! # 68:15–16 The Septuagint reads “mountain of provision.”
All the other peaks, though impressive and imposing,
look with envy on you, Mount Zion!
For Zion is the mountain where God has chosen to live forever.
17Look! The mighty chariots of God!
Ten thousands upon ten thousands,
more than anyone could ever number.
God is at the front,
leading them all from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary
with the radiance of holiness upon him. # 68:17 The Septuagint reads “The Lord sends his provisions from his Holy Place on Mount Sinai.”
18He ascends into the heavenly heights,
taking his many captured ones with him,
leading them in triumphal procession.
And gifts were given to men, even the once rebellious,
so that they may dwell with Yah.
19What a glorious God! # 68:19 The Aramaic is Maryah, the Aramaic form of YHWH or Lord Yahweh.
He gives us salvation over and over, # 68:19 Salvation is in the plural form in the Hebrew text (“salvations”).
then daily he carries our burdens! # 68:19 Or “daily loads us with benefits.”
Pause in his presence
20Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over!
For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us
from the ways of death many times.
21But he will crush every enemy, shattering their strength.
He will make heads roll
for they refuse to repent of their stubborn, sinful ways.
22I hear the Lord God saying to all the enemies of his people,
“You’d better come out of your hiding places,
all of you who are doing your best to stay far away from me. # 68:22 The Hebrew text makes reference to Bashan (a high mountain) and to the depths of the sea. In other words, there’s no place to hide.
Don’t you know there’s no place to hide?
23For my people will be the conquerors;
they will soon have you under their feet.
They will crush you until there is nothing left!” # 68:23 The Hebrew text is literally “Your enemies will be food for the dogs.”
24O God, my King, your triumphal processions
keep moving onward in holiness;
you’re moving onward toward the Holy Place!
25Leaders in front, # 68:25 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “Singers in front.” then musicians,
with young maidens in between, striking their tambourines.
26And they sing, “Let all God’s princely people rejoice!
Let all the congregations bring their blessing to God, saying,
‘The Lord of the fountain! The Lord of the fountain of life!
The Lord of the fountain of Israel!’ ”
27Astonishingly, it’s the favored youth leading the way: # 68:27 The Hebrew includes the names of four sons of Jacob, representing four tribes. Benjamin, the youngest son, means “son of my right hand” or “the favored one.” Judah means “praise.” Zebulon’s name is the word for “exalted.” Naphtali means “obtained by wrestling.” Each name speaks of a princely group and is used here poetically not only for Israel but for all of God’s “princely people” in this holy procession of worship.
princes of praise in their royal robes
and exalted princes are among them,
along with princes who have wrestled with God.
28-29Display your strength, God, and we’ll be strong! # 68:28–29 The Great Bible translated by Miles Coverdale (1488–1569) translates this as “Your God has sent forth strength for you.”
For your miracles have made us who we are.
Lord, do it again
and parade from your temple your mighty power.
By your command even kings will bring gifts to you.
30God, rebuke the beast-life that hides within us! # 68:30 Literal Hebrew is “rebuke the beasts in the reeds.”
Rebuke those who claim to be “strong ones,” # 68:30 This verse has puzzled scholars, and many conclude that the Hebrew text is nearly incomprehensible, with tremendous variations in the translation.
who lurk within the congregation
and abuse the people out of their love for money.
God scatters the people who are spoiling for a fight.
31Africa will send her noble envoys to you, O God.
They will come running, stretching out their hands in love to you.
32Let all the nations of the earth sing songs of praise to Almighty God!
Go ahead, all you nations—sing your praise to the Lord!
Pause in his presence
33Make music for the one who strides the ancient skies.
Listen to his thunderous voice of might split open the heavens.
34Give it up for God, for he alone has all the strength and power!
Proclaim his majesty! For his glory shines down on Israel.
His mighty strength soars in the clouds of glory.
35God, we are consumed with awe, trembling before you
as your glory streams from your Holy Place.
The God of power shares his mighty strength with Israel
and with all his people.
God, we give our highest praise to you!
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Psalms 68: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 68
68
God’s Majestic Power
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. A song.
1God arises. His enemies scatter,
and those who hate Him flee from His presence. # Nm 10:35; Ps 7:6; Ezk 30:26
2As smoke is blown away,
so You blow them away.
As wax melts before the fire,
so the wicked are destroyed before God. # Ps 37:20; Hs 13:3
3But the righteous are glad;
they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy. # Ps 32:11; 40:16; 64:10
4Sing to God! Sing praises to His name.
Exalt Him who rides on the clouds # Or rides through the desert —
His name is Yahweh # Lit Yah — and rejoice before Him. # Dt 33:26; Ps 7:17; 66:4; Is 19:1
5God in His holy dwelling is
a father of the fatherless
and a champion of widows. # Dt 24:17,19; Ps 146:9
6God provides homes for those who are deserted.
He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, # Or prisoners with joyous music ; Hb uncertain
but the rebellious live in a scorched land. # Ps 107:14; 113:9; 146:7
7God, when You went out before Your people,
when You marched through the desert,Selah
8the earth trembled and the skies poured down rain
before God, the God of Sinai, # Lit God, this Sinai
before God, the God of Israel. # Ex 19:16-18; Jdg 5:4-5
9You, God, showered abundant rain;
You revived Your inheritance when it languished. # Lv 26:4; Ezk 34:26
10Your people settled in it;
God, You provided for the poor by Your goodness. # Ps 74:19; 78:20; 107:9
11The Lord gave the command;
a great company of women brought the good news: # 1Sm 18:6-7
12“The kings of the armies flee — they flee! ”
She who stays at home divides the spoil. # Jos 10:16; Jdg 5:30
13While # Or If you lie among the sheepfolds, # Or campfires, or saddlebags ; Hb obscure
the wings of a dove are covered with silver,
and its feathers with glistening gold. # Gn 49:14; Jdg 5:16
14When the Almighty scattered kings in the land,
it snowed on Zalmon. # Or Black Mountain # Jos 10:10; Jdg 9:48
15Mount Bashan is God’s towering mountain;
Mount Bashan is a mountain of many peaks. # Ps 36:6
16Why gaze with envy, you mountain peaks,
at the mountain # = Mount Zion God desired for His dwelling?
The Lord will live there forever! # Ps 48:1-2; 132:13-14; Is 2:2-4
17God’s chariots are tens of thousands,
thousands and thousands; # Hab 3:8
the Lord is among them in the sanctuary # Or in holiness
as He was at Sinai. # Dt 33:2
18You ascended to the heights, taking away captives;
You received gifts from # Lit among people,
even from the rebellious,
so that the Lord God might live there. # Or even those rebelling against the Lord God’s living there, or even rebels are living with the Lord God ; Hb obscure # Dt 21:10; Ps 7:7; Eph 4:8
19May the Lord be praised!
Day after day He bears our burdens;
God is our salvation. # Ps 55:22; Is 46:3-4Selah
20Our God is a God of salvation,
and escape from death belongs to the Lord God. # Dt 32:39; Ps 49:15; 56:13
21Surely God crushes the heads of His enemies,
the hairy head of one who goes on in his guilty acts. # Ps 110:6; Hab 3:13
22The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea # Nm 21:33; Am 9:1-4
23so that your foot may wade # LXX, Syr read dip in blood
and your dogs’ tongues may have their share
from the enemies.” # 1Kg 21:19; 22:38; Jr 15:3
24People have seen Your procession, God,
the procession of my God,
my King, in the sanctuary. # Or in holiness # Ps 42:4; Is 60:11
25Singers # Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr read Officials lead the way,
with musicians following;
among them are young women
playing tambourines. # Ex 15:20; Jdg 11:34; 1Sm 18:6
26Praise God in the assemblies;
praise the Lord from the fountain of Israel. # Ps 22:25; 26:12
27There is Benjamin, the youngest, leading them,
the rulers of Judah in their assembly, # Hb obscure
the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali. # Jdg 5:14,18; 1Sm 9:21
28Your God has decreed your strength.
Show Your strength, God,
You who have acted on our behalf. # Ps 44:4; Is 26:12
29Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
kings will bring tribute to You. # Ps 72:10; Is 18:7; Hg 2:7
30Rebuke the beast # Probably Egypt in the reeds,
the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. # Ps 22:12
Trample underfoot those with bars of silver. # Or peoples, trampling on those who take pleasure in silver, or peoples, trampling on the bars of silver, or peoples, who trample each other for bars of silver
Scatter the peoples who take pleasure in war. # Ps 18:42; 89:10
31Ambassadors will come # Or They bring red cloth, or They bring bronze from Egypt;
Cush will stretch out its hands # Probably with tribute or in submission to God. # Is 45:14; Zph 3:10
32Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
sing praise to the Lord, # Ps 67:4; 102:22Selah
33to Him who rides in the ancient, highest heavens. # Dt 33:26
Look, He thunders with His powerful voice! # Ps 29:3-5; 46:6; Is 30:30
34Ascribe power to God.
His majesty is over Israel,
His power among the clouds. # Ps 29:1; 150:1
35God, You are awe-inspiring in Your sanctuaries.
The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.
May God be praised! # Dt 10:21; Ps 29:11; Is 40:29
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