« | Psalm 68 | » |
1 For the end, A Psalm of a Song by David. Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let them that hate Him flee from before Him.
2 As smoke vanishes, let them vanish: as wax melts before the fire, so let the sinners perish from before God.
3 But let the righteous rejoice; let them exalt before God: let them be delighted with joy.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name: make a way for Him that rides upon the west (the Lord is His name) and rejoice before Him. They shall be troubled before the face of Him,
5 [who is] the Father of the orphans, and Judge of the widows; [such is] God in His holy place.
6 God settles the solitary in a house; leading forth prisoners mightily, also them that act provokingly, [even] them that dwell in tombs.
7 O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You went through the wilderness; Pause:
8 the earth quaked; yea, the heavens dropped [water] at the presence of the God of Sinai, at the presence of the God of Israel.
9 O God, You will grant to Your inheritance a gracious rain; for it was weary, but You have refreshed it.
10 Your creatures dwell in it; You have in Your goodness prepared for the poor.
11 The Lord God will give a word to them that preach [it] in a great company.
12 The king of the forces of the beloved [will] even [grant them] for the beauty of the house to divide the spoils.
13 Even if you should lie among the lots, [you shall have] the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her breast with yellow gold.
14 When the heavenly One scatters kings upon it, they shall be made snow-white in Zalmon.
15 The mountain of God is a rich mountain; a swelling mountain, a rich mountain.
16 Why do you conceive [evil], you swelling mountains? [This is] the mountain which God has delighted to dwell in; yea, the Lord will dwell [in it] forever.
17 The chariots of God are ten thousand fold, thousands of rejoicing ones; the Lord is among them, in Sinai, in the holy place.
18 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive, You have received gifts among men, yea, for [they were] rebellious, that You might dwell among them.
19 Blessed be the Lord God, blessed be the Lord daily; and the God of our salvation shall prosper us. Pause.
20 Our God is the God of salvation; and to the Lord belong the issues from death.
21 But God shall crust the heads of His enemies; the hairy crown of them that go on in their trespasses.
22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring [My people] again through the depths of the sea.
23 That your foot may be dipped in blood, [and] the tongue of your dogs [be stained] with that of [your] enemies.
24 Your goings, O God, have been seen; the goings of my God, the King, in the sanctuary.
25 The princes went first, next before the players on instruments, in the midst of damsels playing on timbrels.
26 Praise God in the congregations, the Lord from the fountains of Israel.
27 There is Benjamin the younger [one] in ecstasy, the princes of Judah their rulers, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.
28 O God, command Your strength; strengthen, O God, that which You have done in us.
29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents to You.
30 Rebuke the wild beasts of the reed; let the crowd of bulls with the heifers of the nations [be rebuked], so that they who have been proved with silver may not be shut out; scatter the nations that wish for wars.
31 Ambassadors shall arrive out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall hasten [to stretch out] her hand readily to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; sing psalms to the Lord. Pause.
33 Sing to God that rides on the heaven of heavens, eastward: lo, He will utter a mighty sound with His voice.
34 Give glory to God: His excellency is over Israel, and His power is in the clouds.
35 God is wonderful in His holy [places], the God of Israel; He will give power and strength to His people; blessed be God.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.