# Psalms 68

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-07-01 | updated: 2026-07-01 -->

**Book:** [Psalms](/codex/psalms/) · NASB95

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 1. <sup>For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a Song.</sup> Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him. 2. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3. But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness. 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him. 5. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation. 6. God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah 8. The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10. Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor. 11. The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host. 12. Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil. 13. When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is as the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. 14. When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon. 15. A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan. 16. Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever. 17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands; The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them. 19. Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. [[Selah 20. God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death. 21. But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness. 22. The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring them again from the depths of the sea; 23. That thou mayest crush them, dipping thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies. 24. They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25. The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels. 26. Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel. 27. There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 29. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee. 30. Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war. 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God. 32. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; [[Selah 33. To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice. 34. Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies. 35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. (Psalms 68:1-35, ASV)

**WEB** ([[WEB)
> 1. <b>For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. </b> Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him. 2. 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. 3. But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. 4. Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him! 5. A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 6. God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land. 7. God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... <i>Selah.</i> 8. 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. 9. You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance, when it was weary. 10. Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor. 11. The Lord announced the word. The ones who proclaim it are a great company. 12. “Kings of armies flee! They flee!” She who waits at home divides the plunder, 13. while you sleep among the camp fires, the wings of a dove sheathed with silver, her feathers with shining gold. 14. When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon. 15. The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains. The mountains of Bashan are rugged. 16. Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign? Yes, Yahweh will dwell there forever. 17. The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands. The Lord is among them, from Sinai, into the sanctuary. 18. You have ascended on high. You have led away captives. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Yah God might dwell there. 19. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, even the God who is our salvation. <i>Selah.</i> 20. God is to us a God of deliverance. To Yahweh, the Lord, belongs escape from death. 21. But God will strike through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of such a one as still continues in his guiltiness. 22. The Lord said, “I will bring you again from Bashan, I will bring you again from the depths of the sea; 23. That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.” 24. They have seen your processions, God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25. The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, among the ladies playing with tambourines, 26. “Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord in the assembly of Israel!” 27. There is little Benjamin, their ruler, the princes of Judah, their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 28. Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us. 29. Because of your temple at Jerusalem, kings shall bring presents to you. 30. Rebuke the wild animal of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples. Being humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations that delight in war. 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God. 32. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord! <i>Selah.</i> 33. To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. 34. Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. 35. You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God! (Psalms 68:1-35, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 1. To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. <sup>before: Heb. from his face</sup> 2. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. <sup>exceedingly: Heb. rejoice with gladness</sup> 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 5. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 6. God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. <sup>in families: Heb. in a house</sup> 7. O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: 8. The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. <sup>send: Heb. shake out</sup> <sup>confirm: Heb. confirm it</sup> 10. Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor. 11. The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. <sup>company: Heb. army</sup> 12. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. <sup>did: Heb. did flee, did flee</sup> 13. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 14. When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. <sup>in it: or, for her, she</sup> 15. The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. 16. Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. 17. The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. <sup>even: or, even many thousands</sup> 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. <sup>for men: Heb. in the man</sup> 19. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. 20. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. 21. But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses. 22. The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea: 23. That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. <sup>dipped: or, red</sup> 24. They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary. 25. The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels. 26. Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. <sup>from: or, ye that are of the fountain of Israel</sup> 27. There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. <sup>and their: or, with their company</sup> 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. 29. Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. <sup>the company: or, the beasts of the reeds</sup> <sup>scatter: or, he scattereth</sup> 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. 32. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah: 33. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. <sup>send: Heb. give</sup> 34. Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. <sup>clouds: or, heavens</sup> 35. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. (Psalms 68:1-35, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 1. To the Overseer., A Psalm, a song of David. Rise doth God, scattered are His enemies! And those hating Him flee from His face. 2. As the driving away of smoke Thou drivest away, As the melting of wax before fire, The wicked perish at the presence of God. 3. And the righteous rejoice, they exult before God, And they joy with gladness. 4. Sing ye to God, praise His name, Raise up a highway for Him who is riding in deserts, In Jah [is] His name, and exult before Him. 5. Father of the fatherless, and judge of the widows, [Is] God in His holy habitation. 6. God, causing the lonely to dwell at home, Bringing out bound ones into prosperity, Only, the refractory have inhabited a dry place. 7. O God, in Thy going forth before Thy people, In Thy stepping through the wilderness, Selah. 8. The earth hath shaken, Yea, the heavens have dropped before God, This Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9. A shower of free-will gifts thou shakest out, O God. Thine inheritance, when it hath been weary, Thou hast established it. 10. Thy company have dwelt in it, Thou preparest in Thy goodness for the poor, O God. 11. The Lord doth give the saying, The female proclaimers [are] a numerous host. 12. Kings of hosts flee utterly away, And a female inhabitant of the house apportioneth spoil. 13. Though ye do lie between two boundaries, Wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. 14. When the Mighty spreadeth kings in it, It doth snow in Salmon. 15. A hill of God [is] the hill of Bashan, A hill of heights [is] the hill of Bashan. 16. Why do ye envy, O high hills, The hill God hath desired for His seat? Jehovah also doth tabernacle for ever. 17. The chariots of God [are] myriads, thousands of changes, The Lord [is] among them, in Sinai, in the sanctuary. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast taken captive captivity, Thou hast taken gifts for men, That even the refractory may rest, O Jah God. 19. Blessed [is] the Lord, day by day He layeth on us. God Himself [is] our salvation. Selah. 20. God Himself [is] to us a God for deliverances, And Jehovah Lord hath the outgoings of death. 21. Only, God doth smite The head of His enemies, The hairy crown of a habitual walker in his guilt. 22. The Lord said: 'From Bashan I bring back, I bring back from the depths of the sea. 23. So that thou dashest thy foot in blood, [In the blood of] enemies, the tongue of Thy dogs.' 24. They have seen Thy goings, O God, Goings of my God, my king, in the sanctuary. 25. Singers have been before, Behind [are] players on instruments, In the midst virgins playing with timbrels. 26. In assemblies bless ye God, The Lord, from the fountain of Israel. 27. There [is] little Benjamin their ruler, Heads of Judah their defence, Heads of Zebulun, heads of Naphtali. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength, Be strong, O God, this Thou hast wrought for us. 29. Because of Thy temple at Jerusalem, To Thee do kings bring a present. 30. Rebuke a beast of the reeds, a company of bulls, With calves of the peoples, Each humbling himself with pieces of silver, Scatter Thou peoples delighting in conflicts. 31. Come do fat ones out of Egypt, Cush causeth her hands to run to God. 32. Kingdoms of the earth, sing ye to God, Praise ye the Lord. Selah. 33. To him who is riding on the heavens of the heavens of old, Lo, He giveth with His voice a strong voice. 34. Ascribe ye strength to God, Over Israel [is] His excellency, and His strength in the clouds. 35. Fearful, O God, out of Thy sanctuaries, The God of Israel Himself, Giving strength and might to the people. Blessed [is] God! (Psalms 68:1-35, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** _TBD_
- **Audience:** _TBD_
- **Location:** _TBD_
- **Time period:** _TBD_

## Theological reading

_Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._

## Key words

_Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word._

- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_


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## Quoted in

- [Yahweh Borrowed From the Canaanites Objection Defeater](/codex/yahweh-borrowed-from-the-canaanites-objection-defeater/)

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## Notes

_Your annotations._

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_Scripture quotations taken from the **New American Standard Bible®** (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by **The Lockman Foundation**. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [www.lockman.org](https://www.lockman.org)_

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.