It Is Good to Sing Praises

Hallelujah![fn]

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers the exiles of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars;

He calls them each by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding has no limit.

6 The LORD sustains the humble,

but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

make music on the harp to our God,

8 who covers the sky with clouds,

who prepares rain for the earth,

who makes grass to grow on the hills.

9 He provides food for the animals,

and for the young ravens when they call.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.

11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,

who hope in His loving devotion.

12 Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem;

praise your God, O Zion!

13 For He strengthens the bars of your gates

and blesses the children within you.

14 He makes peace at your borders;

He fills you with the finest wheat.

15 He sends forth His command to the earth;

His word runs swiftly.

16 He spreads the snow like wool;

He scatters the frost like ashes;

17 He casts forth His hail like pebbles.[fn]

Who can withstand His icy blast?

18 He sends forth His word and melts them;

He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.

19 He declares His word to Jacob,

His statutes and judgments to Israel.

20 He has done this for no other nation;

they do not know His judgments.[fn]

Hallelujah!