For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him

The Psalm

Psalms. Chapter 68. For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him! A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land. God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... Selah. The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel. You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary. Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor. The Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company. “Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder, while you sleep amongst the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon. The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged. Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever. The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is amongst them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary. You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts amongst people, yes, amongst the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell there. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. Selah. God is to us a God of deliverance. To the LORD, the Lord, belongs escape from death. But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness. The Lord said, “I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea, that you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.” They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, amongst the ladies playing with tambourines, “Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!” There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us. Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you. Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample under foot the bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord— Selah— to him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!

Worship Lyrics

For the Chief Musician
A Psalm by David
A song
Let God arise
Let his enemies be scattered
Let them who hate him also flee before him
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away
As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God
But let the righteous be glad
Let them rejoice before God
Yes, let them rejoice with gladness
Sing to God
Sing praises to his name
Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name
Rejoice before him
A father of the fatherless
And a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation
God sets the lonely in families
He brings out the prisoners with singing
But the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land
God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness
Selah
The earth trembled
The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God
The God of Israel
You, God, sent a plentiful rain
You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary
Your congregation lived therein
You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor
The Lord announced the word
The ones who proclaim it are a great company
Kings of armies flee
They flee
She who waits at home divides the plunder
While you sleep amongst the camp fires the wings of a dove sheathed with silver
Her feathers with shining gold
When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon
The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains
The mountains of Bashan are rugged
Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign
Yes, the LORD will dwell there forever
The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands
The Lord is amongst them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary
You have ascended on high
You have led away captives
You have received gifts amongst people yes amongst the rebellious also
That the LORD God might dwell there
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation
Selah
God is to us a God of deliverance
To the LORD, the Lord, belongs escape from death
But God will strike through the head of his enemies
The hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness
The Lord said, I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea
That you may crush them dipping your foot in blood
That the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies
They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary
The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, amongst the ladies playing with tambourines
Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel
There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun
And the princes of Naphtali
Your God has commanded your strength
Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us
Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you
Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the peoples
Trample under foot the bars of silver
Scatter the nations who delight in war
Princes shall come out of Egypt
Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth
Sing praises to the Lord— Selah—
To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old
Behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice
Ascribe strength to God
His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies
You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries
The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people
Praise be to God

About This Psalm

Psalm 68 is a praise psalm that speaks to the heart of worship and devotion. This ancient song continues to inspire modern believers in their faith journey.

Key Themes: praise, deliverance, righteousness, creation, kingship, conflict

Reflection

This psalm invites us to:

• Meditate on God's word and character
• Apply biblical truth to our daily lives
• Express our hearts in worship and prayer

Music & Worship

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Discussion Questions

1. What does this psalm teach us about God's character?
2. How can we apply the message of Psalm 68 to our lives today?
3. What verse or phrase stands out most to you, and why?

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