Psalm 68
1Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered;
let those who hate him flee before him.
2Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away;
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at
the presence of God.
3But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
let them also be merry and joyful.
4Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;
exalt him who rides upon the heavens;
YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!
5Father of orphans, defender of widows,
God in his holy habitation!
6God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners
into freedom;
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7O God, when you went forth before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
8The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance;
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10Your people found their home in it;
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision
for the poor.
11The Lord gave the word;
great was the company of women who bore the tidings:
12″Kings with their armies are fleeing away;
the women at home are dividing the spoils.”
13Though you lingered among the sheepfolds,
you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,
whose feathers are like green gold.
14When the Almighty scattered kings,
it was like snow falling in Zalmon.
15O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan!
O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!
16Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,
at the hill which God chose for his resting place?
truly, the LORD will dwell there for ever.
17The chariots of God are twenty thousand,
even thousands of thousands;
the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.
18You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;
you have received gifts even from your enemies,
that the LORD God might dwell among them.
19Blessed be the Lord day by day,
the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
20He is our God, the God of our salvation;
God is the LORD, by whom we escape death.
21God shall crush the heads of his enemies,
and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their
wickedness.
22The Lord has said, “I will bring them back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;
23That your foot may be dipped in blood,
the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies.”
24They see your procession, O God,
your procession into the sanctuary, my God and my King.
25The singers go before, musicians follow after,
in the midst of maidens playing upon the hand-drums.
26Bless God in the congregation;
bless the LORD, you that are of the fountain of Israel.
27There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;
the princes of Judah in a company;
and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.
28Send forth your strength, O God;
establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.
29Kings shall bring gifts to you,
for your temple’s sake at Jerusalem.
30Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds,
and the peoples, a herd of wild bulls with its calves.
31Trample down those who lust after silver;
scatter the peoples that delight in war.
32Let tribute be brought out of Egypt;
let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.
33Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord.
34He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens;
he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.
35Ascribe power to God;
his majesty is over Israel;
his strength is in the skies.
36How wonderful is God in his holy places!
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!
Blessed be God!
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal,
who divides the day from the night
and turns the shadow of death into the morning:
Drive far from us all wrong desires,
incline our hearts to keep your law,
and guide our feet into the way of peace;
that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes,
rejoice to give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
