For the music director; by David, a psalm, a song.
68:1 God springs into action! 2
His enemies scatter;
his adversaries 3 run from him. 4
68:2 As smoke is driven away by the wind, so you drive them away. 5
As wax melts before fire,
so the wicked are destroyed before God.
68:3 But the godly 6 are happy;
they rejoice before God
and are overcome with joy. 7
68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name!
Exalt the one who rides on the clouds! 8
For the Lord is his name! 9
Rejoice before him!
68:5 He is a father to the fatherless
and an advocate for widows. 10
God rules from his holy palace. 11
68:6 God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes; 12
he frees prisoners and grants them prosperity. 13
But sinful rebels live in the desert. 14
68:7 O God, when you lead your people into battle, 15
when you march through the desert, 16 (Selah)
68:8 the earth shakes,
yes, the heavens pour down rain
before God, the God of Sinai, 17
before God, the God of Israel. 18
68:9 O God, you cause abundant showers to fall 19 on your chosen people. 20
When they 21 are tired, you sustain them, 22
68:10 for you live among them. 23
You sustain the oppressed with your good blessings, O God.
68:11 The Lord speaks; 24
many, many women spread the good news. 25
68:12 Kings leading armies run away – they run away! 26
The lovely lady 27 of the house divides up the loot.
68:13 When 28 you lie down among the sheepfolds, 29
the wings of the dove are covered with silver
and with glittering gold. 30
68:14 When the sovereign judge 31 scatters kings, 32
let it snow 33 on Zalmon!
68:15 The mountain of Bashan 34 is a towering mountain; 35
the mountain of Bashan is a mountain with many peaks. 36
68:16 Why do you look with envy, 37 O mountains 38 with many peaks,
at the mountain where God has decided to live? 39
Indeed 40 the Lord will live there 41 permanently!