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Psalms 68

68
For the music director. A psalm of David. A song.
1Stand up, God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate him run away from him!
2Blow them away as if they were smoke; melt them like beeswax in a fire. Let the wicked die in God's presence.
3But those who are right with God are happy, and they celebrate in God's presence, full of joy.
4Sing praises to God! Sing praises to his wonderful reputation!#68:4. Literally, “name.” Praise the rider of the clouds—his name is the Lord!#68:4. Literally, “Yah,” a short form of Yahweh. Be happy in his presence!
5He is a father to the orphans, a protector of widows. This is who God is, who lives in his holy place.#68:5. “His holy place”—this may be a reference to heaven or the Temple.
6God gives those who are abandoned#68:6. Or “lonely.” a family to live with. He sets prisoners free with celebration.#68:6. Or “singing.” This word only occurs once in the Old Testament. It has also been translated as “prosperity.” But those who rebel live in a desert wasteland.
7God, when you led your people out,#68:7. Referring to the Exodus. when you marched through the desert, Selah,
8the earth quaked, and the heavens shook#68:8. Or “poured down rain.” before God, the one of Sinai; before God, the God of Israel.
9You sent plenty of rain to water the promised land; refreshing it when it was dry.#68:9. This line could also be directly applied to the people of Israel, since the “inheritance” was both the land and the people.
10Your people settled there, and because of your kindness, God, you looked after the poor. Selah.
11The Lord gives the command, and a great army of women spread the good news.
12The kings of the foreign armies are quick to run away, and the women#68:12. The women of Israel. who stayed at home divide the plunder!
13Why are you staying at home?#68:13. The meaning here is uncertain. Literally, “you lie down by the hearthstones (or sheepfolds).” There are ornaments in the shape of a dove with wings of silver and feathers of fine gold to be taken.#68:13. “To be taken.” Implied. Though the text is not clear it seems that this is related to the plunder mentioned in verse 12.
14The Almighty scattered the foreign kings like a snowstorm on Mount Zalmon.
15“Mountain of God,” Mount Bashan, with your many high peaks, Mount Bashan,
16why do you look enviously, mountain with many peaks, at the mountain God chose as his home, where the Lord will live forever?#68:16. While this verse is complex, it seems to be suggesting that there were those who questioned the superiority of Mount Zion, and that their own mountains (Mount Bashan) were equally acceptable as places for God to dwell and be worshiped. It's interesting to note that even much later this issue of “which mountain” was brought up by the Samaritan woman to Jesus, since the Samaritans identified Mount Gerizim as their holy mountain.
17God's chariots can't be counted; there are thousands and thousands of them. He comes among them from Sinai into his Temple.
18As you ascended to your high throne you led a procession of prisoners. You received gifts from the people, even from those who had rebelled against the home of the Lord God.
19May the Lord be blessed, for every day he carries our burdens.#68:19. Or “every day he carries us.” God is our salvation. Selah.
20For us, God is a God who saves. The Lord God provides our escape from death.
21But God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy heads#68:21. This may refer to the practice of warriors not cutting their hair during times of war. of those who continue to sin.
22The Lord says, “I will drag them down from Bashan; I will drag them up from the depths of the sea,
23so that you may walk in their blood. Even your dogs will have their share of your enemies.”
24People watch your processions, God—the processions of my God and King as they go into the Temple.
25The singers are at the front, the musicians at the back, and in the middle girls playing tambourines.
26Praise God, everyone who has come to worship; praise the Lord, everyone who belongs to Israel.
27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, followed by the many leaders from Judah; then come the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali.
28Display your power, God! Reveal your strength, Lord, as you have done for us in the past.
29Because of your Temple in Jerusalem, kings bring tribute to you.
30Condemn the beasts of the reeds, the bulls and calves!#68:30. The meaning of this line is not clear. It may refer to Egypt, and also to other foreign nations. May they be humbled and bring bars of silver in tribute! Scatter the war-loving nations!
31Let Egypt come with bronze gifts;#68:31. The word only occurs here in the OT. Alternatively it may mean ambassadors, natron, or expensive cloth. let Ethiopia come quickly and hand over their tributes to God!
32Sing to God, kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord. Selah.
33Sing to the rider of the ancient heavens,#68:33. In other words, the Creator. his strong voice sounding like thunder!
34Let everyone know of God's power: how his majesty extends over Israel, how his strength is revealed in the heavens.#68:34. Literally, “clouds” as a symbol of heaven above.
35How awesome is God in his Temple! The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people! Praise God!

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Psalms 68: FBV

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