Psalm 68

1 Written by David for the permanent song collection. Go forth, Almighty Father; and as You do, those who hate You will scatter and get dashed to pieces even as they hastily try to hide from Your face. 2 As wind scatters smoke, they disappear; and as wax melts away when it gets hot, those who hate You perish as they see who You really are.

3 But let those who honestly choose Your will for them triumphantly leap with joy as at a most pleasurable, joyful banquet, as they view Your face. 4 Worshipfully celebrate - with songs, music and even dancing – the Creator God who ‘carried’ you through difficult times. Even use His most sacred name, JEHOVAH, with rejoicing as He smiles at you.

5 God is a loving father to the lonely and fatherless; He defends the forsaken and widowed even though He ‘lives’ in heaven. 6 God puts these dear ones into families; and also frees those bound with debt. But those who stubbornly resist His love slide down into dry depression and hopeless despair.

7 - 8 God, You revealed Yourself to Your family when You walked gently and slowly with them through dreary and solitary places. (music pause) The earth terrifyingly quaked and the billowing, turbulent clouds ‘flowed down’ to cover Your face as You descended on Mt. Sinai where You talked to them and revealed to them that You were indeed their Saviour and Leader. 9 Later, You sent bountiful rain to reconfirm Your authority when Your family got discouraged. 10 Your family lived where You established them, God, and You shared even more of Your joyful goodness with those who needed more of it. 11 - 12 The Lord taught the song and many people learned it for a multitude of women joyfully shared with God’s family the good news that the opposition leadership had been cast out and fled. 13 You who have rested in God’s love are protected by Him – like being ‘under’ His covering ‘wings’.

14 When the Almighty scattered opposition it was ‘cool’ - as snow on a shady hill. 15 But is scattering opposition how God is best worshiped? Or is God best worshiped in luxury and prosperity? 16 Why be envious of those kinds of ‘high’ experiences? God does have a ‘place’ where He really desires to ‘dwell’.

17 – 18 Twenty thousand thousands of angelic messengers escorted the Excellent One at Sinai. God, You were highly exalted because You had ‘taken captive’ the captives for Yourself and had brought gifts for all of them – even for the stubborn ones – so You might live with them. 19 Reverently celebrate the Mighty Deliverer every day for carrying us victoriously to healthy freedom. (music pause)

20 Our Mighty One, our Supreme God, saves. Our loving Lord delivers even from disease and death. 21 But this same strong God irritatingly agitates those who hate Him, and those who persist in doing wrong get a defensive attitude against Him.

22 – 24 God said, I will restore your fruitfulness, even from deeply ‘stormy’, turbulent situations, so you will march right on in life, irregardless of those who hate you or put you down, because you have learned and experienced God’s love ways in His sanctuary. 25 Those who celebrate with singing go first, followed by those playing instruments, accompanied by young women keeping rhythm with timbrels. 26 – 28 Let everyone: young and old, children, youth, leaders, adults, (no one left out), adore God – Your Mighty Hero who gives you strength – from the very first part of worship time together. Continue, O Strong, Mighty Hero, what You have already covenanted to do for us. 29 And because Your temple (where You live) is a place of peace, leaders will bring gifts of homage to You there.

30 Keep correcting the lively young people in Your family as well as the leaders and developing leaders until they humbly submit both themselves and their means; but scatter those who only delight to fight. 31 Great people shall be set free from captivity and even those from cursed circumstances will run to worship You, God. 32 – 33 Let everyone celebrate with songs, accompanied with instruments, the Mighty God (music pause) Who was here from the beginning and Who speaks with full power.

34 Describe God’s real character – including His majesty and excellence – in dealing with His family, as well as with everyone else. 35 O God, You cause us to tremble with joyful awe as You reveal Yourself. You prevail and give us, Your family, Your character and life. Praise God.