A Hymn of Praise

1Praise the Lord!

Praise his name, you servants of the Lord,

2who stand in the Lord's house,

in the Temple of our God.

3Praise the Lord, because he is good;

sing praises to his name, because he is kind.+

4He chose Jacob for himself,

the people of Israel for his own.

5I know that our Lord is great,

greater than all the gods.

6He does whatever he wishes

in heaven and on earth,

in the seas and in the depths below.

7He brings storm clouds from the ends of the earth;

he makes lightning for the storms,

and he brings out the wind from his storeroom.

8In Egypt he killed all the first-born

of people and animals alike.

9There he performed miracles and wonders

to punish the king and all his officials.

10He destroyed many nations

and killed powerful kings:

11Sihon, king of the Amorites,

Og, king of Bashan,

and all the kings in Canaan.

12He gave their lands to his people;

he gave them to Israel.

13Lord, you will always be proclaimed as God;

all generations will remember you.

14The Lord will defend his people;

he will take pity on his servants.

15 The gods of the nations are made of silver and gold;

they are formed by human hands.

16They have mouths, but cannot speak,

and eyes, but cannot see.

17They have ears, but cannot hear;

they are not even able to breathe.

18May all who made them and who trust in them

become+ like the idols they have made!

19Praise the Lord, people of Israel;

praise him, you priests of God!

20Praise the Lord, you Levites;

praise him, all you that worship him!

21Praise the Lord in Zion,

in Jerusalem, his home.

Praise the Lord!