Psalm 68:1-35 GNT

[1] God rises up and scatters his enemies. Those who hate him run away in defeat. [2] As smoke is blown away, so he drives them off; as wax melts in front of the fire, so do the wicked perish in God's presence. [3] But the righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy. [4] Sing to God, sing praises to his name; prepare a way for him who rides on the clouds. His name is the LORD-be glad in his presence! [5] God, who lives in his sacred Temple, cares for orphans and protects widows. [6] He gives the lonely a home to live in and leads prisoners out into happy freedom, but rebels will have to live in a desolate land. [7] O God, when you led your people, when you marched across the desert, [8] the earth shook, and the sky poured down rain, because of the coming of the God of Sinai, the coming of the God of Israel. [9] You caused abundant rain to fall and restored your worn-out land; [10] your people made their home there; in your goodness you provided for the poor. [11] The Lord gave the command, and many women carried the news: [12] "Kings and their armies are running away!" The women at home divided what was captured: [13] figures of doves covered with silver, whose wings glittered with fine gold. (Why did some of you stay among the sheep pens on the day of battle?) [14] When Almighty God scattered the kings on Mount Zalmon, he caused snow to fall there. [15] What a mighty mountain is Bashan, a mountain of many peaks! [16] Why from your mighty peaks do you look with scorn on the mountain on which God chose to live? The LORD will live there forever! [17] With his many thousands of mighty chariots the Lord comes from Sinai into the holy place. [18] He goes up to the heights, taking many captives with him; he receives gifts from rebellious people. The LORD God will live there. [19] Praise the Lord, who carries our burdens day after day; he is the God who saves us. [20] Our God is a God who saves; he is the LORD, our Lord, who rescues us from death. [21] God will surely break the heads of his enemies, of those who persist in their sinful ways. [22] The Lord has said, "I will bring your enemies back from Bashan; I will bring them back from the depths of the ocean, [23] so that you may wade in their blood, and your dogs may lap up as much as they want." [24] O God, your march of triumph is seen by all, the procession of God, my king, into his sanctuary. [25] The singers are in front, the musicians are behind, in between are the young women beating the tambourines. [26] "Praise God in the meeting of his people; praise the LORD, all you descendants of Jacob!" [27] First comes Benjamin, the smallest tribe, then the leaders of Judah with their group, followed by the leaders of Zebulun and Naphtali. [28] Show your power, O God, the power you have used on our behalf [29] from your Temple in Jerusalem, where kings bring gifts to you. [30] Rebuke Egypt, that wild animal in the reeds; rebuke the nations, that herd of bulls with their calves, until they all bow down and offer you their silver. Scatter those people who love to make war! [31] Ambassadors will come from Egypt; the Ethiopians will raise their hands in prayer to God. [32] Sing to God, kingdoms of the world, sing praise to the Lord, [33] to him who rides in the sky, the ancient sky. Listen to him shout with a mighty roar. [34] Proclaim God's power; his majesty is over Israel, his might is in the skies. [35] How awesome is God as he comes from his sanctuary- the God of Israel! He gives strength and power to his people. Praise God!