1 Shout praises to the Lord!Our God is kind,and it is right and goodto sing praises to him.
2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalemand brings the people of Israelback home again.
3 He renews our hopesand heals our bodies.
4 He decided how many starsthere would be in the skyand gave each one a name.
5 Our Lord is great and powerful!He understands everything.
6 The Lord helps the oppressed,but he smears the wickedin the dirt.
7 Celebrate and sing!Play your harpsfor the Lord our God.
8 He fills the sky with cloudsand sends rain to the earth,so that the hillswill be green with grass.
9 He provides food for cattleand for the young ravens,when they cry out.
10 The Lord doesn't care aboutthe strength of horsesor powerful armies.
11 The Lord is pleased onlywith those who worship himand trust his love.
12 Everyone in Jerusalem,come and praisethe Lord your God!
13 He makes your city gates strongand blesses your people.
14 God lets you live in peace,and he gives youthe very best wheat.
15 As soon as God speaks,the earth obeys.
16 He covers the ground with snowlike a blanket of wool,and he scatters frostlike ashes on the ground.
17 God sends down hailstoneslike chips of rocks.Who can stand the cold?
18 At his command the ice melts,the wind blows,and streams begin to flow.
19 God gave his laws and teachingsto the descendants of Jacob,the nation of Israel.
20 But he has not given his lawsto any other nation.Shout praises to the Lord!