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The God of Sinai and of the Sanctuary.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song.

68 Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered;
Let those who hate Him flee before Him.

As smoke is driven away, so drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked and guilty perish before [the presence of] God.

But let the righteous be glad; let them be in good spirits before God,
Yes, let them rejoice with delight.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Lift up a song for Him who rides through the desert—
His name is the Lord—be in good spirits before Him.


A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.

God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land.


O God, when You went out before Your people,
When You marched through the wilderness, Selah.

The earth trembled;
The heavens also poured down rain at the presence of God;
Sinai itself trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

You, O God, sent abroad plentiful rain;
You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched and weary.
10 
Your flock found a dwelling place in it;
O God, in Your goodness You provided for the poor.

11 
The Lord gives the command [to take Canaan];
The women who proclaim the good news are a great host (army);
12 
“The kings of the [enemies’] armies flee, they flee,
And the beautiful woman who remains at home divides the spoil [left behind].”
13 
When you lie down [to rest] among the [a]sheepfolds,
You [Israel] are like the wings of a dove [of victory] overlaid with silver,
Its feathers glistening with gold [trophies taken from the enemy].
14 
When the Almighty scattered [the Canaanite] kings in the land of Canaan,
It was snowing on [b]Zalmon.

15 
A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan;
A [high] mountain of many summits is Mount Bashan [rising east of the Jordan].
16 
Why do you look with envy, mountains with many peaks,
At the mountain [of the city of Zion] which God has desired for His dwelling place?
Yes, the Lord will dwell there forever.
17 
The chariots of God are [c]myriads, thousands upon thousands;
The Lord is among them as He was at Sinai, in holiness.
18 
You have ascended on high, You have led away captive Your captives;
You have received gifts among men,
Even from the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.(A)

19 
Blessed be the Lord, who bears our burden day by day,
The God who is our salvation! Selah.
20 
God is to us a God of acts of salvation;
And to [d]God the Lord belong escapes from death [setting us free].
21 
Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of one who goes on in his guilty ways.
22 
The Lord said, “I will bring your enemies back from Bashan;
I will bring them back from the depths of the [Red] Sea,
23 
That your foot may crush them in blood,
That the tongue of your dogs may have its share from your enemies.”

24 
They have seen Your [solemn] [e]procession, O God,
The procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary [in holiness].
25 
The singers go in front, the players of instruments last;
Between them the maidens playing on tambourines.
26 
Bless God in the congregations, [give thanks, gratefully praise Him],
The Lord, you who are from [Jacob] the fountain of Israel.
27 
The youngest is there, Benjamin, ruling them,
The princes of Judah and their company [the southern tribes],
The princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali [the northern tribes].

28 
Your God has commanded your strength [your power in His service and your resistance to temptation];
Show Yourself strong, O God, who acted on our behalf.
29 
Because of Your temple at Jerusalem
[Pagan] kings will bring gifts to You [out of respect].
30 
Rebuke the beasts [living] among the reeds [in Egypt],
The herd of bulls (the leaders) with the calves of the peoples;
Trampling underfoot the pieces of silver;
He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.
31 
Princes and envoys shall come from Egypt;
Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands [with the offerings of submission] to God.

32 
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
Sing praises to the Lord! Selah.
33 
To Him who rides in the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
Behold, He sends out His voice, a mighty and majestic voice.
34 
Ascribe strength to God;
His majesty is over Israel
And His strength is in the skies.
35 
O God, You are awesome and profoundly majestic from Your sanctuary;
The God of Israel gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God!

A Cry of Distress and Imprecation on Adversaries.

To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Lilies.” A Psalm of David.

69 Save me, O God,
For the waters have threatened my life [they have come up to my neck].

I have sunk in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, where a flood overwhelms me.

I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
My eyes fail while I wait [with confident expectation] for my God.

Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head;
Those who would destroy me are powerful, being my enemies wrongfully;
I am forced to restore what I did not steal.(B)


O God, You know my folly;
My wrongs are not hidden from You.

Do not let those who wait [confidently] for You be [f]ashamed through me, O Lord [g]God of hosts;
Do not let those who seek You [as necessary for life itself] be dishonored through me, O God of Israel,

Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
Confusion and dishonor have covered my face.

I have become estranged from my brothers
And an alien to my mother’s sons.(C)

For zeal for Your house has consumed me,
And the [mocking] insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.(D)
10 
When I wept and humbled myself with fasting,
It became my reproach.
11 
When I made sackcloth my clothing [as one in mourning],
I became a byword [a mere object of scorn] to them.
12 
They who sit in the [city’s] gate talk about me and mock me,
And I am the song of the drunkards.

13 
But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable and opportune time;
O God, in the greatness of Your favor and in the abundance of Your lovingkindness,
Answer me with truth [that is, the faithfulness of Your salvation].
14 
Rescue me from the mire and do not let me sink;
Let me be rescued from those who hate me and from the deep waters.
15 
Do not let the floodwater overwhelm me,
Nor the deep waters swallow me up,
Nor the pit [of Sheol] shut its mouth over me.

16 
Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is sweet and good and comforting;
According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me.
17 
Do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in distress; answer me quickly.
18 
Draw near to my soul and redeem it;
Ransom me because of my enemies [so that they do not delight in my distress].
19 
You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor [how I am insulted];
My adversaries are all before You [each one fully known].

20 
Reproach and insults have broken my heart and I am so sick.
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
And for comforters, but I found none.
21 
They (self-righteous hypocrites) also gave me gall [poisonous and bitter] for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.(E)

22 
May their table [with all its abundance and luxury] become a snare [to them];
And when they are in peace [secure at their sacrificial feasts], may it become a trap.
23 
May their eyes be dimmed so that they cannot see,
And make their loins shake continually [in terror and weakness].
24 
Pour out Your indignation on them,
And let [the fierceness of] Your burning anger overtake them.
25 
May their encampment be desolate;
May no one dwell in their tents.(F)
26 
For they have persecuted him whom You have struck,
And they tell of the pain of those whom You have pierced and wounded.
27 
Add [unforgiven] iniquity to their iniquity [in Your book],
And may they not come into Your [h]righteousness.
28 
May they be blotted out of the book of life [and their lives come to an end]
And may they not be recorded with the righteous (those in right standing with God).(G)

29 
But I am sorrowful and in pain;
May Your salvation, O God, set me [securely] on high.
30 
I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 
And it will please the Lord better than an ox
Or a young bull with horns and hoofs.
32 
The humble have seen it and are glad;
You who seek God [requiring Him as your greatest need], let your heart revive and live.(H)
33 
For the Lord hears the needy
And does not despise His who are prisoners.

34 
Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
35 
For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah,
That His servants may remain there and possess it.
36 
The descendants of His servants will inherit it,
And those who love His name will dwell in it.

Prayer for Help against Persecutors.

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

70 O God, come quickly to save me;
O Lord, come quickly to help me!

Let those be ashamed and humiliated
Who seek my life;
Let them be turned back and humiliated
Who delight in my hurt.

Let them be turned back because of their shame and disgrace
Who say, “Aha, aha!”


May all those who seek You [as life’s first priority] rejoice and be glad in You;
May those who love Your salvation say continually,
“Let God be magnified!”

But I am afflicted and needy;
Come quickly to me, O God!
You are my help and my rescuer;
O Lord, do not delay.

Prayer of an Old Man for Rescue.

71 In you, O Lord, I have put my trust and confidently taken refuge;
Let me never be [i]put to shame.

In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
Incline Your ear to me and save me.

Be to me a rock of refuge and a sheltering stronghold to which I may continually come;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked (godless),
From the grasp of the unrighteous and ruthless man.

For You are my hope;
O Lord God, You are my trust and the source of my confidence from my youth.

Upon You have I relied and been sustained from my birth;
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day.
My praise is continually of You.


I am as a wonder to many,
For You are my strong refuge.

My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.

Do not cast me off nor send me away in the time of old age;
Do not abandon me when my strength fails and I am weak.
10 
For my enemies have spoken against me;
Those who watch for my life have consulted together,
11 
Saying, “God has abandoned him;
Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”

12 
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, come quickly to help me!
13 
Let those who attack my life be ashamed and consumed;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor, who seek to injure me.
14 
But as for me, I will wait and hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
15 
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your [deeds of] salvation all day long,
For their number is more than I know.
16 
I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord God [and in His strength];
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.

17 
O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous works and miraculous deeds.
18 
And even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not abandon me,
Until I declare Your [mighty] strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
19 
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the [height of the] heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You, [who is Your equal]?
20 
You who have shown [j]me many troubles and distresses
Will revive and renew me again,
And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 
May You increase my greatness (honor)
And turn to comfort me.

22 
I will also praise You with the harp,
Your truth and faithfulness, O my God;
To You I will sing praises with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You,
And my soul, which You have redeemed.
24 
My tongue also will speak of Your righteousness all day long;
For they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my injury.

The Reign of the Righteous King.

A Psalm of Solomon.

72 Give the king [knowledge of] Your judgments, O God,
And [the spirit of] Your righteousness to the king’s son [to guide all his ways].

May he judge Your people with righteousness,
And Your afflicted with justice.(I)

The mountains will bring peace and prosperity to the people,
And the hills, in [the establishment of] righteousness.

May he bring justice to the poor among the people,
Save the children of the needy
And crush the oppressor,


Let them fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and worship You with obedience] while the sun endures,
And as long as the moon [reflects light], throughout all generations.

May he come down like rain on the mown grass,
Like showers that water the earth.

In his days may the righteous flourish,
And peace abound until the moon is no more.(J)


May he also rule from sea to sea
And from the River [Euphrates] to the ends of the earth.(K)

The nomads of the desert will bow before him,
And his enemies will [k]lick the dust.
10 
The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring offerings;
The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
11 
Yes, all kings will bow down before him,
All nations will serve him.(L)

12 
For he will rescue the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted and abused also, and him who has no helper.
13 
He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And he will save the lives of the needy.
14 
He will redeem their life from oppression and fraud and violence,
And their blood will be precious in His sight.
15 
So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;
And let them pray for him continually;
Let them bless and praise him all day long.

16 
There will be an abundance of grain in the soil on the top of the [l]mountains;
Its fruit will wave like [the cedars of] Lebanon,
And those of the city will flourish like grass of the earth.
17 
May his name endure forever;
May his name continue as long as the sun;
And let men bless themselves by him;
Let all nations call him blessed.

18 
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone does wonderful things.
19 
Blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen.

20 
The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 68:13 Or cooking stones or saddlebags.
  2. Psalm 68:14 I.e. a dark, wooded hill near Shechem.
  3. Psalm 68:17 Lit multiples of ten thousand.
  4. Psalm 68:20 Heb YHWH (Yahweh), usually rendered Lord.
  5. Psalm 68:24 A reference to the procession bringing the ark of the covenant to Mt. Zion.
  6. Psalm 69:6 I.e. have their expectations in Your goodness be disappointed.
  7. Psalm 69:6 Heb YHWH (Yahweh), usually rendered Lord.
  8. Psalm 69:27 I.e. be justified and acquitted by You.
  9. Psalm 71:1 I.e. have my expectations in Your goodness be disappointed.
  10. Psalm 71:20 Another reading is us.
  11. Psalm 72:9 I.e. lay themselves face down in submission.
  12. Psalm 72:16 I.e. the most barren part of the land.

Psalm 68[a]

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.

May God arise,(A) may his enemies be scattered;(B)
    may his foes flee(C) before him.
May you blow them away like smoke—(D)
    as wax melts(E) before the fire,
    may the wicked perish(F) before God.
But may the righteous be glad
    and rejoice(G) before God;
    may they be happy and joyful.

Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,(H)
    extol him who rides on the clouds[b](I);
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.(J)
A father to the fatherless,(K) a defender of widows,(L)
    is God in his holy dwelling.(M)
God sets the lonely(N) in families,[c](O)
    he leads out the prisoners(P) with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.(Q)

When you, God, went out(R) before your people,
    when you marched through the wilderness,[d](S)
the earth shook,(T) the heavens poured down rain,(U)
    before God, the One of Sinai,(V)
    before God, the God of Israel.(W)
You gave abundant showers,(X) O God;
    you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
    and from your bounty,(Y) God, you provided(Z) for the poor.

11 The Lord announces the word,
    and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:(AA)
12 “Kings and armies flee(AB) in haste;
    the women at home divide the plunder.(AC)
13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,[e](AD)
    the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
    its feathers with shining gold.”
14 When the Almighty[f] scattered(AE) the kings in the land,
    it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.(AF)

15 Mount Bashan,(AG) majestic mountain,(AH)
    Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
    at the mountain where God chooses(AI) to reign,
    where the Lord himself will dwell forever?(AJ)
17 The chariots(AK) of God are tens of thousands
    and thousands of thousands;(AL)
    the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.[g]
18 When you ascended(AM) on high,(AN)
    you took many captives;(AO)
    you received gifts from people,(AP)
even from[h] the rebellious(AQ)
    that you,[i] Lord God, might dwell there.

19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,(AR)
    who daily bears our burdens.(AS)
20 Our God is a God who saves;(AT)
    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.(AU)
21 Surely God will crush the heads(AV) of his enemies,
    the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
22 The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
    I will bring them from the depths of the sea,(AW)
23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,(AX)
    while the tongues of your dogs(AY) have their share.”

24 Your procession, God, has come into view,
    the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.(AZ)
25 In front are the singers,(BA) after them the musicians;(BB)
    with them are the young women playing the timbrels.(BC)
26 Praise God in the great congregation;(BD)
    praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.(BE)
27 There is the little tribe(BF) of Benjamin,(BG) leading them,
    there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
    and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.(BH)

28 Summon your power,(BI) God[j];
    show us your strength,(BJ) our God, as you have done(BK) before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
    kings will bring you gifts.(BL)
30 Rebuke the beast(BM) among the reeds,(BN)
    the herd of bulls(BO) among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
    Scatter the nations(BP) who delight in war.(BQ)
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;(BR)
    Cush[k](BS) will submit herself to God.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,(BT)
    sing praise(BU) to the Lord,
33 to him who rides(BV) across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
    who thunders(BW) with mighty voice.(BX)
34 Proclaim the power(BY) of God,
    whose majesty(BZ) is over Israel,
    whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome(CA) in your sanctuary;(CB)
    the God of Israel gives power and strength(CC) to his people.(CD)

Praise be to God!(CE)

Psalm 69[l]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.

Save me, O God,
    for the waters(CF) have come up to my neck.(CG)
I sink in the miry depths,(CH)
    where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
    the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;(CI)
    my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,(CJ)
    looking for my God.
Those who hate me(CK) without reason(CL)
    outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,(CM)
    those who seek to destroy me.(CN)
I am forced to restore
    what I did not steal.

You, God, know my folly;(CO)
    my guilt is not hidden from you.(CP)

Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    may those who hope in you
    not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
    may those who seek you
    not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn(CQ) for your sake,(CR)
    and shame covers my face.(CS)
I am a foreigner to my own family,
    a stranger to my own mother’s children;(CT)
for zeal for your house consumes me,(CU)
    and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.(CV)
10 When I weep and fast,(CW)
    I must endure scorn;
11 when I put on sackcloth,(CX)
    people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate(CY) mock me,
    and I am the song of the drunkards.(CZ)

13 But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;(DA)
in your great love,(DB) O God,
    answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters.(DC)
15 Do not let the floodwaters(DD) engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up(DE)
    or the pit close its mouth over me.(DF)

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;(DG)
    in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face(DH) from your servant;
    answer me quickly,(DI) for I am in trouble.(DJ)
18 Come near and rescue me;
    deliver(DK) me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned,(DL) disgraced and shamed;
    all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
    and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
    for comforters,(DM) but I found none.(DN)
21 They put gall in my food
    and gave me vinegar(DO) for my thirst.(DP)

22 May the table set before them become a snare;
    may it become retribution and[m] a trap.(DQ)
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
    and their backs be bent forever.(DR)
24 Pour out your wrath(DS) on them;
    let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;(DT)
    let there be no one to dwell in their tents.(DU)
26 For they persecute those you wound
    and talk about the pain of those you hurt.(DV)
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;(DW)
    do not let them share in your salvation.(DX)
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life(DY)
    and not be listed with the righteous.(DZ)

29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
    may your salvation, God, protect me.(EA)

30 I will praise God’s name in song(EB)
    and glorify him(EC) with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
    more than a bull with its horns and hooves.(ED)
32 The poor will see and be glad(EE)
    you who seek God, may your hearts live!(EF)
33 The Lord hears the needy(EG)
    and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
    the seas and all that move in them,(EH)
35 for God will save Zion(EI)
    and rebuild the cities of Judah.(EJ)
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36     the children of his servants will inherit it,(EK)
    and those who love his name will dwell there.(EL)

Psalm 70[n](EM)

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

Hasten, O God, to save me;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.(EN)

May those who want to take my life(EO)
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.(EP)
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”(EQ)
    turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you(ER)
    rejoice and be glad(ES) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”(ET)

But as for me, I am poor and needy;(EU)
    come quickly to me,(EV) O God.
You are my help(EW) and my deliverer;(EX)
    Lord, do not delay.(EY)

Psalm 71(EZ)

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;(FA)
    let me never be put to shame.(FB)
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear(FC) to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
    to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
    for you are my rock and my fortress.(FD)
Deliver(FE) me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,(FF)
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.(FG)

For you have been my hope,(FH) Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence(FI) since my youth.
From birth(FJ) I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.(FK)
    I will ever praise(FL) you.
I have become a sign(FM) to many;
    you are my strong refuge.(FN)
My mouth(FO) is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor(FP) all day long.

Do not cast(FQ) me away when I am old;(FR)
    do not forsake(FS) me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies(FT) speak against me;
    those who wait to kill(FU) me conspire(FV) together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken(FW) him;
    pursue him and seize him,
    for no one will rescue(FX) him.”
12 Do not be far(FY) from me, my God;
    come quickly, God, to help(FZ) me.
13 May my accusers(GA) perish in shame;(GB)
    may those who want to harm me
    be covered with scorn and disgrace.(GC)

14 As for me, I will always have hope;(GD)
    I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell(GE) of your righteous deeds,(GF)
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,(GG) Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught(GH) me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.(GI)
18 Even when I am old and gray,(GJ)
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power(GK) to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.(GL)

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,(GM)
    you who have done great things.(GN)
    Who is like you, God?(GO)
20 Though you have made me see troubles,(GP)
    many and bitter,
    you will restore(GQ) my life again;
from the depths of the earth(GR)
    you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor(GS)
    and comfort(GT) me once more.

22 I will praise you with the harp(GU)
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,(GV)
    Holy One of Israel.(GW)
23 My lips will shout for joy(GX)
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.(GY)
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,(GZ)
for those who wanted to harm me(HA)
    have been put to shame and confusion.(HB)

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

Endow the king with your justice,(HC) O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,(HD)
    your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted(HE) among the people
    and save the children of the needy;(HF)
    may he crush the oppressor.(HG)
May he endure[o](HH) as long as the sun,
    as long as the moon, through all generations.(HI)
May he be like rain(HJ) falling on a mown field,
    like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish(HK)
    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

May he rule from sea to sea
    and from the River[p](HL) to the ends of the earth.(HM)
May the desert tribes bow before him
    and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish(HN) and of distant shores(HO)
    bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba(HP) and Seba
    present him gifts.(HQ)
11 May all kings bow down(HR) to him
    and all nations serve(HS) him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
    the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity(HT) on the weak and the needy
    and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue(HU) them from oppression and violence,
    for precious(HV) is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
    May gold from Sheba(HW) be given him.
May people ever pray for him
    and bless him all day long.(HX)
16 May grain(HY) abound throughout the land;
    on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops(HZ) flourish like Lebanon(IA)
    and thrive[q] like the grass of the field.(IB)
17 May his name endure forever;(IC)
    may it continue as long as the sun.(ID)

Then all nations will be blessed through him,[r]
    and they will call him blessed.(IE)

18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,(IF)
    who alone does marvelous deeds.(IG)
19 Praise be to his glorious name(IH) forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.(II)
Amen and Amen.(IJ)

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.(IK)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 68:1 In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36.
  2. Psalm 68:4 Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts
  3. Psalm 68:6 Or the desolate in a homeland
  4. Psalm 68:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.
  5. Psalm 68:13 Or the campfires; or the saddlebags
  6. Psalm 68:14 Hebrew Shaddai
  7. Psalm 68:17 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lord is among them at Sinai in holiness
  8. Psalm 68:18 Or gifts for people, / even
  9. Psalm 68:18 Or they
  10. Psalm 68:28 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts Your God has summoned power for you
  11. Psalm 68:31 That is, the upper Nile region
  12. Psalm 69:1 In Hebrew texts 69:1-36 is numbered 69:2-37.
  13. Psalm 69:22 Or snare / and their fellowship become
  14. Psalm 70:1 In Hebrew texts 70:1-5 is numbered 70:2-6.
  15. Psalm 72:5 Septuagint; Hebrew You will be feared
  16. Psalm 72:8 That is, the Euphrates
  17. Psalm 72:16 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text Lebanon, / from the city
  18. Psalm 72:17 Or will use his name in blessings (see Gen. 48:20)

68 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

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.

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

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.

Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

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.

12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and 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 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.

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.

34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

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.

69 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

10 When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

11 I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

12 They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

16 Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

22 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

24 Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

25 Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

27 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

29 But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

32 The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

33 For the Lord heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

34 Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

35 For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

70 Make haste, o God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.

Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.

71 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

72 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.

16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.