1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! 2 You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, 3 Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely! 4 For the Lord has chosen [the descendants of] Jacob for Himself, Israel for His peculiar possession and treasure.
5 For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods. 6 Whatever the Lord pleases, that has He done in the heavens and on earth, in the seas and all deeps-- 7 Who causes the vapors to arise from the ends of the earth, Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings the wind out of His storehouses;
8 Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast; 9 Who sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants; 10 Who smote nations many and great and slew mighty kings-- 11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 12 [The Lord] gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people.
13 Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your fame, O Lord, throughout all ages. 14 For the Lord will judge and vindicate His people, and He will delay His judgments [manifesting His righteousness and mercy] and take into favor His servants [those who meet His terms of separation unto Him].
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 16 [Idols] have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; 17 They have ears, but they hear not, nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make [idols] are like them; so is everyone who trusts in and relies on them.
19 Bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord, O house of Israel; bless the Lord, O house of Aaron [God's ministers]. 20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi [the dedicated tribe]; you who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, bless the Lord [affectionately and gratefully praise Him]! 21 Blessed out of Zion be the Lord, Who dwells [with us] at Jerusalem! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)