Psalms 68 CEVDCUS06

God Will Win the Battle

(A psalm and a song by David for the music leader.)

1 Do something, God!Scatter your hateful enemies.Make them turn and run.

2 Scatter them like smoke!When you come near,make them meltlike wax in a fire.

3 But let your people be happyand celebrate because of you.

4 Our God, you are the onewho rides on the clouds,and we praise you.Your name is the Lord,and we celebrateas we worship you.

5 Our God, from your sacred homeyou take care of orphansand protect widows.

6 You find familiesfor those who are lonely.You set prisoners freeand let them prosper,but all who rebel will livein a scorching desert.

7 You set your people free,and you led themthrough the desert.

8 God of Israel,the earth trembled,and rain poured down.You alone are the Godwho rules from Mount Sinai.

9 When your land was thirsty,you sent showersto refresh it.

10 Your people settled there,and you were generousto everyone in need.

11 You gave the command, Lord,and a chorus of women toldwhat had happened:

12 “Kings and their armiesretreated and ran,and everything they leftis now being divided.

13 And for those who stayed backto guard the sheep,there are metal doveswith silver-coated wingsand shiny gold feathers.”

14 God All-Powerful, you scatteredthe kings like snow fallingon Mount Zalmon.

15 Our Lord and our God,Bashan is a mighty mountaincovered with peaks.

16 Why is it jealous of Zion,the mountain you choseas your home forever?

17 When you, Lord God, appearedto your people at Sinai,you came with thousandsof mighty chariots.

18 When you climbedthe high mountain,you took prisoners with youand were given gifts.Your enemies didn't want youto live there,but they gave you gifts.

19 We praise you, Lord God!You treat us with kindnessday after day,and you rescue us.

20 You always protect usand save us from death.

21 Our Lord and our God,your terrible enemiesare ready for war,but you will crushtheir skulls.

22 You promised to bring themfrom Bashanand from the deepest sea.

23 Then we could wash our feetin their blood,and our dogs could chewon their bones.

24 We have seen crowds marchingto your place of worship,our God and King.

25 Singers come first,and then the musicians,surrounded by young womenplaying tambourines.

26 They come shouting,“People of Israel,praise the Lord God!”

27 The small tribe of Benjaminleads the way,followed by the leadersfrom Judah.Then come the leadersfrom Zebulun and Naphtali.

28 Our God, show your strength!Show us once again.

29 Then kings will bring giftsto your templein Jerusalem.

30 Punish that animalthat lives in the swamp!Punish that nationwhose leaders and peopleare like wild bulls.Make them come crawlingwith gifts of silver.Scatter those nationsthat enjoy making war.

31 Force the Egyptians to bringgifts of bronze;make the Ethiopians hurryto offer presents.

32 Now sing praises to God!Every kingdom on earth,sing to the Lord!

33 Praise the one who ridesacross the ancient skies;listen as he speakswith a mighty voice.

34 Tell about God's power!He is honored in Israel,and he rules the skies.

35 The God of Israel is fearsomein his temple,and he makes us strong.Let's praise our God!