Psalm 68 is the 68th psalm of the Book of Psalms. In the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 67 in a slightly different numbering system.
In the monastic tradition dating from the Early Middle Ages, this psalm was traditionally recited at the Matins office on Wednesday,[6][7] according to the distribution of the rule of St. Benedict fixed at 530.[8]
With regard to the current Liturgy of the Hours, Psalm 68 is recited or sung at the Reading Office on Tuesday of the third week. It is also read on the 22nd Sunday of the ordinary time of year C in the triennial cycle of the Sunday masses.[9]
The second part of verse 31, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch her hands unto God" (Ge'ez: ኢትዮጵያ ታበድ አደዊሃ ሃበ አግዚአብሐር, Itiyopia tabetsih edewiha habe Igziabiher) was used in the coat of arms of Emperor Haile Selassie, and was also formerly used as the national motto of Ethiopia. (The original Hebrew refers to Cush (כוש).)[10]
Musical settings
Marc-Antoine Charpentier set around 1690 one "Exurgat Deus", H.215, for soloists, chorus, 2 treble instruments and continuo.