Psalms 68 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Let God rise up — let his enemies scatter, let those who hate him flee from his face.

Like smoke blown away by the wind — blow them away. Like wax melting near a fire — let the wicked disappear before God.

But let the just celebrate — let them be overjoyed in God's presence, let them be dizzy with happiness.

Sing to God, make music to his name — clear the road for the one who rides through the wilderness. His name is Yah — celebrate wildly in his presence!

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — that is who God is in his sacred dwelling.

God gives the lonely a home to belong to. He leads prisoners out into prosperity. But the rebellious are left in a sun-scorched wasteland.

God, when you marched out ahead of your people, when you strode through the wilderness — Selah

the earth shook, the skies poured down rain before God — the God of Sinai — before God — the God of Israel.

You poured out generous rain, God. When your inheritance was exhausted, you restored it.

Your community settled in it. Out of your goodness, God, you provided for those in need.

The Lord gives the word — the women announcing the good news are a mighty crowd:

"Kings with their armies — they run, they run!" And the women at home divide up the plunder.

While you rested among the campfires — dove wings covered in silver, her feathers shimmering with green-gold.

When the Almighty scattered kings there, it was like snow falling on Dark Mountain.

The mountain of Bashan is God's mountain — a towering peak, the mountain of Bashan!

Why do you stare with envy, you towering peaks, at the mountain where God chose to live? Yes, Yahweh will dwell there forever.

God's chariots are tens of thousands — thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them as at Sinai, now in the sacred place.

You climbed to the heights, you took captives with you, you received gifts from people — even from the rebellious — so that Yah, God, could dwell there.

Praise the Lord! Day after day he carries us — God is our rescue. Selah

Our God is a God who rescues. Yahweh, the Lord — he holds the escape routes from death.

But God will crush the heads of his enemies — the hairy scalp of anyone who keeps walking in guilt.

The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan. I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,

so that you may wade through the blood of your enemies, so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share."

They have seen your procession, God — the procession of my God, my King, into the sacred place.

The singers go first, the musicians follow, between them the young women playing tambourines.

Praise God in the great assembly — praise Yahweh, all who come from the fountain of Israel!

There is little Benjamin leading them, the princes of Judah in their roaring crowd, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.

Summon your strength, God — show your strength, God, as you have done for us before.

Because of your temple in Jerusalem, kings will bring you tribute.

Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations — until they bow down with bars of silver. Scatter the peoples who love war.

Envoys will come from Egypt; Ethiopia will stretch out her hands to God.

Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God! Make music to the Lord — Selah

to the one who rides the ancient heavens, the highest heavens. Listen — he thunders with a mighty voice!

Declare God's strength! His majesty towers over Israel, his power fills the skies.

You are awe-inspiring, God, from your sacred place. The God of Israel — he gives strength and power to his people. Praise God!