Praise the Lord's Name
Study note
Praise the Lord! Praise his name, you servants who stand in his house. The Lord is good — sing praise to his name. He has chosen Jacob for himself and Israel as his treasured possession.
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD! You who serve the LORD, give him praise Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.
2 as you stand in the LORD's house, in the courtyards of the house of our God. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the LORD, because he is so good! Sing songs of praise to his name, because it is delightful. Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.
4 The LORD chose Jacob to be his own and picked Israel as his special treasure. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
God Is Greater Than All
Study note
The Lord is great — greater than all gods. He does whatever he pleases in heaven and earth. He sends clouds, lightning, rain, and wind. He struck down Egypt's firstborn and defeated great kings. The Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
5 Here is what I know for certain: the LORD is great. Our Lord is above every other god. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.
6 The LORD does whatever he wants in heaven, on earth, in the oceans, and in every deep place. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
7 He pulls clouds up from the far edges of the earth. He sends lightning along with the rain and opens up his storehouses to let the wind blow out. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.
8 He struck down the firstborn children and animals all across Egypt. Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 He sent mighty signs and wonders right into the heart of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all who served him. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10 He defeated many nations and brought down mighty kings — Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings;
11 Sihon the king of the Amorites, Og the king of Bashan, and every king in the land of Canaan. Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan:
12 Then he gave all their land to his people Israel as a gift to keep. And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 LORD, your name will be remembered forever. People in every generation will know who you are. Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 The LORD will stand up for his people and show tender care to those who serve him. For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.
Idols Are Nothing
Study note
The idols of the nations are silver and gold made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak. Those who make them become like them. But every family of Israel — house of Israel, house of Aaron, house of Levi, and all who fear the Lord — praise the Lord from Zion!
15 The false gods of other nations are just silver and gold, shaped by human hands. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths that cannot say a word. They have eyes that cannot see a thing. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears that cannot hear a sound, and there is not even a breath of air in their mouths. They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 The people who make these idols will end up just as lifeless as they are, and so will everyone who puts their trust in them. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
19 Family of Israel, praise the LORD! Family of Aaron, praise the LORD! Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron:
20 Family of Levi, praise the LORD! Everyone who honors the LORD, praise the LORD! Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Praise and honor to the LORD from Zion, where he makes his home in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD! Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.