Psalm 68:4
New International Version
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.

New Living Translation
Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the LORD— rejoice in his presence!

English Standard Version
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!

Berean Standard Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD—and rejoice before Him.

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

New King James Version
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name YAH, And rejoice before Him.

New American Standard Bible
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Exalt Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the LORD, and be jubilant before Him.

NASB 1995
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.

NASB 1977
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the LORD, and exult before Him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is Yah, and exult before Him.

Amplified Bible
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.

Christian Standard Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name. Exalt him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD —and celebrate before him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds — His name is Yahweh—and rejoice before Him.

American Standard Version
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him.

Contemporary English Version
Our God, you are the one who rides on the clouds, and we praise you. Your name is the LORD, and we celebrate as we worship you.

English Revised Version
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; his name is JAH; and exult ye before him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sing to God; make music to praise his name. Make a highway for him to ride through the deserts. The LORD is his name. Celebrate in his presence.

Good News Translation
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; prepare a way for him who rides on the clouds. His name is the LORD--be glad in his presence!

International Standard Version
Sing to God! Sing praise to his name! Exalt the one who rides on the clouds. The LORD is his name. Be jubilant in his presence.

Majority Standard Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds?His name is the LORD?and rejoice before Him.

NET Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Exalt the one who rides on the clouds! For the LORD is his name! Rejoice before him!

New Heart English Bible
Sing to God. Sing praises to his name. Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name. Rejoice before him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Sing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

World English Bible
Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to Yah, his name! Rejoice before him!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sing to God—praise His Name, "" Raise up a highway for Him who is riding in deserts, "" In YAH [is] His Name, and exult before Him.

Young's Literal Translation
Sing ye to God -- praise His name, Raise up a highway for Him who is riding in deserts, In Jah is His name, and exult before Him.

Smith's Literal Translation
Sing ye to God; play on the harp to his name: raise him up to ride in the evenings, in Jah his name, and rejoice before him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sing ye to God, sing a psalm to his name, make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west: the Lord is his name. Rejoice ye before him: but the wicked shall be troubled at his presence,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Sing to God, sing a psalm to his name. Make a path for him, who ascends over the west. The Lord is his name. Exult in his sight; they will be stirred up before his face,

New American Bible
Sing to God, praise his name; exalt the rider of the clouds. Rejoice before him whose name is the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds— his name is the LORD— be exultant before him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rides upon the heavens; the LORD is his name, rejoice before him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Sing to God and praise his name! Praise him who rides to the West. LORD JEHOVAH is his name. Be courageous before him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Sing unto God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is the LORD; And exult ye before Him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Sing to God, sing praises to his name: make a way for him that rides upon the west (the Lord is his name) and exult before him. They shall be troubled before the face of him,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Enemies Are Scattered
3But the righteous will be glad and rejoice before God; they will celebrate with joy. 4Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds— His name is the LORD— and rejoice before Him. 5A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in His holy habitation.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Isaiah 42:10-12
Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. / Let the desert and its cities raise their voices; let the villages of Kedar cry aloud. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them cry out from the mountaintops. / Let them give glory to the LORD and declare His praise in the islands.

Exodus 15:1-2
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. / The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

Deuteronomy 32:3
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!

Isaiah 12:4-5
and on that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD; proclaim His name! Make His works known among the peoples; declare that His name is exalted. / Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things. Let this be known in all the earth.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Jeremiah 31:7
For this is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations! Make your praises heard, and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, the remnant of Israel!’

Zephaniah 3:14-15
Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! / The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you; no longer will you fear any harm.

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 21:9
The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

Luke 19:37-38
And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: / “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 12:13
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.


Treasury of Scripture

Sing to God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rides on the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Sing unto God

Psalm 66:4
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Psalm 67:4
O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Isaiah 12:4-6
And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted…

rideth

Psalm 68:33
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.

Psalm 18:10
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Psalm 104:3
Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

his name

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Exodus 6:3,8
And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them…

Jump to Previous
Cast Clouds Deserts Extol Exult Forth Glad Heavens Highway JAH Lift Praise Praises Raise Rejoice Rides Rideth Riding Sing Skies Song Songs Waste Way Yah
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Cast Clouds Deserts Extol Exult Forth Glad Heavens Highway JAH Lift Praise Praises Raise Rejoice Rides Rideth Riding Sing Skies Song Songs Waste Way Yah
Psalm 68
1. A prayer at the removing of the ark
4. An exhortation to praise God for his mercies
7. for his care of the church
19. for his great works














Sing to God
The phrase "Sing to God" calls believers to worship through song, a practice deeply rooted in the Hebrew tradition. The Hebrew word for "sing" is "שִׁירוּ" (shiru), which implies a joyful and melodic expression of praise. Singing was a central part of worship in ancient Israel, often accompanied by instruments, as seen in the Psalms. This act of singing is not just a musical expression but a spiritual one, inviting the presence of God and aligning the hearts of the worshippers with His divine will.

Sing praises to His name
"Praises" in Hebrew is "זַמְּרוּ" (zammeru), which suggests a musical celebration. The "name" of God, often represented by the Tetragrammaton YHWH, signifies His character and essence. In ancient times, a name was more than a label; it was a representation of one's identity and authority. Thus, singing praises to His name is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, holiness, and the intimate relationship He has with His people.

Exalt Him who rides on the clouds
The imagery of God "riding on the clouds" is a powerful depiction of His majesty and authority over creation. In Hebrew, "רֹכֵב בָּעֲרָבוֹת" (rokhev ba'aravot) suggests a divine charioteer, a common motif in ancient Near Eastern literature symbolizing a deity's power and mobility. This phrase emphasizes God's transcendence and His ability to intervene in the world, reinforcing His role as the supreme ruler over all the earth.

the LORD is His name
Here, "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew "יָהּ" (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh. This name is sacred and was revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). It signifies God's eternal existence and unchanging nature. By declaring "the LORD is His name," the psalmist affirms the uniqueness and exclusivity of God, distinguishing Him from the pagan gods of surrounding nations.

rejoice before Him
The call to "rejoice before Him" is an invitation to experience joy in God's presence. The Hebrew word "עַלְזוּ" (alzu) conveys a sense of exultation and gladness. In the context of worship, rejoicing is both a response to God's goodness and a command to His people. It reflects a heart that is aligned with God's purposes and is a testament to the transformative power of His presence in the lives of believers.

(4) Sing praises . . .--Better, play on the harp.

Extol him that rideth upon the heavens.--Rather, cast up a highway for him that rideth on the steppes. (Comp. Isaiah 40:3, of which this is apparently an echo.) The poet's voice is the herald's who precedes the army of God to order the removal of all obstructions, and the formation of cairns to mark the road. Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 62:10, are passages alluding to the same custom.

The translation, "upon the heavens," rests on a rabbinical interpretation of 'araboth.

By derivation it means "a dry sandy region," a "steppe." The singular of the noun forms with the article a proper name designating the Jordan valley. (In the poetical books, however, any wild tract of country is called 'Arabah--Isaiah 35:1; Isaiah 35:6.) The plural often designates particular parts of this region, as the plains of Moab or Jericho (2Kings 25:4-5). Such a restricted sense is quite in keeping with the allusions to the early history which make up so much of the psalm. . . .

Verse 4. - Sing unto God, sing praises to his Name (comp. Psalm 64:4): extol him that rideth upon the heavens. This passage is now generally translated, Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts (Hengstenberg, Kay, Dean Johnson, Professor Cheyne, Revised Version). The image is that of a king travelling through a waste, for whom a way was made beforehand (comp. Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 49:11). By his name Jah; rather, Jah is his Name. "Jah" - the shortened form of "Jehovah" - occurs first in the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:2). It is repeated here in ver. 18, and recurs in Isaiah 26:4. Dr. Kay suggests that "it represents the concentration of God's redeeming power and love." And rejoice before him (comp. ver. 3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Sing
שִׁ֤ירוּ ׀ (šî·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7891: To sing

to God!
לֵֽאלֹהִים֮ (lê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Sing praises
זַמְּר֪וּ (zam·mə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2167: Play, to make music, celebrate in song and music

to His name.
שְׁ֫מ֥וֹ (šə·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

Exalt
סֹ֡לּוּ (sōl·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5549: To mound up, to exalt, to oppose

the One who rides
לָרֹכֵ֣ב (lā·rō·ḵêḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

on the clouds—
בָּ֭עֲרָבוֹת (bā·‘ă·rā·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee

His name
שְׁמ֗וֹ (šə·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

is the LORD—
בְּיָ֥הּ (bə·yāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3050: LORD -- the name of the God of Israel

and rejoice
וְעִלְז֥וּ (wə·‘il·zū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5937: To jump for, joy, exult

before Him.
לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face


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OT Poetry: Psalm 68:4 Sing to God! (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 68:3
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