[1] Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth; [2] Sing forth the honor and glory of His name; make His praise glorious! [3] Say to God, How awesome and fearfully glorious are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power shall Your enemies submit themselves to You [with feigned and reluctant obedience]. [4] All the earth shall bow down to You and sing [praises] to You; they shall praise Your name in song. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! [5] Come and see the works of God; see how [to save His people He smites their foes; He is] terrible in His doings toward the children of men. [6] He turned the sea into dry land, they crossed through the river on foot; there did we rejoice in Him. [7] He rules by His might forever, His eyes observe and keep watch over the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! [8] Bless our God, O peoples, give Him grateful thanks and make the voice of His praise be heard, [9] Who put and kept us among the living, and has not allowed our feet to slip. [10] For You, O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined, and purified. [11] You brought us into the net (the prison fortress, the dungeon); You laid a heavy burden upon our loins. [12] You caused men to ride over our heads [when we were prostrate]; we went through fire and through water, but You brought us out into a broad, moist place [to abundance and refreshment and the open air]. [13] I will come into Your house with burnt offerings [of entire consecration]; I will pay You my vows, [14] Which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in distress. [15] I will offer to You burnt offerings of fat lambs, with rams consumed in sweet-smelling smoke; I will offer bullocks and he-goats. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! [16] Come and hear, all you who reverently and worshipfully fear God, and I will declare what He has done for me! [17] I cried aloud to Him; He was extolled and high praise was under my tongue. [18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; [19] But certainly God has heard me; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. [20] Blessed be God, Who has not rejected my prayer nor removed His mercy and loving-kindness from being [as it always is] with me.
