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I

[a]May God arise;
    may his enemies be scattered;
    may those who hate him flee before him.(A)
As the smoke is dispersed, disperse them;
    as wax is melted by fire,
    so may the wicked perish before God.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 68:2 The opening line alluding to Nm 10:35 makes clear that God’s assistance in the period of the exodus and conquest is the model and assurance of all future divine help.

Then the just will be glad;
    they will rejoice before God;
    they will celebrate with great joy.

II

Sing to God, praise his name;
    exalt the rider of the clouds.[a]
Rejoice before him
    whose name is the Lord.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 68:5 Exalt the rider of the clouds: God’s intervention is in the imagery of Canaanite myth in which the storm-god mounted the storm clouds to ride to battle. Such theophanies occur throughout the Psalm: Ps 68:2–3, 8–10, 12–15, 18–19, 22–24, 29–32, 34–35. See Dt 33:26; Ps 18:8–16; Is 19:1.

Father of the fatherless, defender of widows(A)
    God in his holy abode,
God gives a home to the forsaken,
    who leads prisoners out to prosperity,
    while rebels live in the desert.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 68:7 While rebels live in the desert: rebels must live in the arid desert, whereas God’s people will live in the well-watered land (Ps 68:8–11).