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Psalm 68: Exsurgat Deus

Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 676. In the 30-day Psalter it is read on day 13, at Morning Prayer.

1

Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; *

let those who hate him flee before him.

2

Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *

as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

3

But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; *

let them also be merry and joyful.

4

Sing to God, sing praises to his Name;

exalt him who rides upon the heavens; *

YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!

5

Father of orphans, defender of widows, *

God in his holy habitation!

6

God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; *

but the rebels shall live in dry places.

7

O God, when you went forth before your people, *

when you marched through the wilderness,

8

The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,

at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *

at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

9

You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *

you refreshed the land when it was weary.

10

Your people found their home in it; *

in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.

11

The Lord gave the word; *

great was the company of women who bore the tidings:

12

"Kings with their armies are fleeing away; *

the women at home are dividing the spoils."

13

Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, *

you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver,

whose feathers are like green gold.

14

When the Almighty scattered kings, *

it was like snow falling in Zalmon.

15

O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! *

O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!

16

Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain,

at the hill which God chose for his resting place? *

truly, the LORD will dwell there for ever.

17

The chariots of God are twenty thousand,

even thousands of thousands; *

the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.

18

You have gone up on high and led captivity captive;

you have received gifts even from your enemies, *

that the LORD God might dwell among them.

19

Blessed be the Lord day by day, *

the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.

20

He is our God, the God of our salvation; *

God is the LORD, by whom we escape death.

21

God shall crush the heads of his enemies, *

and the hairy scalp of those who go on still in their wickedness.

22

The Lord has said, "I will bring them back from Bashan; *

I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;

23

That your foot may be dipped in blood, *

the tongues of your dogs in the blood of your enemies."

24

They see your procession, O God, *

your procession into the sanctuary, my God and my King.

25

The singers go before, musicians follow after, *

in the midst of maidens playing upon the hand-drums.

26

Bless God in the congregation; *

bless the LORD, you that are of the fountain of Israel.

27

There is Benjamin, least of the tribes, at the head;

the princes of Judah in a company; *

and the princes of Zebulon and Naphtali.

28

Send forth your strength, O God; *

establish, O God, what you have wrought for us.

29

Kings shall bring gifts to you, *

for your temple's sake at Jerusalem.

30

Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, *

and the peoples, a herd of wild bulls with its calves.

31

Trample down those who lust after silver; *

scatter the peoples that delight in war.

32

Let tribute be brought out of Egypt; *

let Ethiopia stretch out her hands to God.

33

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; *

sing praises to the Lord.

34

He rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; *

he sends forth his voice, his mighty voice.

35

Ascribe power to God; *

his majesty is over Israel;

his strength is in the skies.

36

How wonderful is God in his holy places! *

the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people!

Blessed be God!

When it is appointed