1 Shout praises to the Lord!

Our God is kind,

and it is right and good

to sing praises to him.

2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem

and brings the people of Israel

back home again.

3 He renews our hopes

and heals our bodies.

4 He decided how many stars

there would be in the sky

and 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 wicked

in the dirt.

7 Celebrate and sing!

Play your harps

for the Lord our God.

8 He fills the sky with clouds

and sends rain to the earth,

so that the hills

will be green with grass.

9 He provides food for cattle

and for the young ravens,

when they cry out.

10 The Lord doesn't care about

the strength of horses

or powerful armies.

11 The Lord is pleased only

with those who worship him

and trust his love.

12 Everyone in Jerusalem,

come and praise

the Lord your God!

13 He makes your city gates strong

and blesses your people.

14 God lets you live in peace,

and he gives you

the very best wheat.

15 As soon as God speaks,

the earth obeys.

16 He covers the ground with snow

like a blanket of wool,

and he scatters frost

like ashes on the ground.

17 God sends down hailstones

like 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 teachings

to the descendants of Jacob,

the nation of Israel.

20 But he has not given his laws

to any other nation.

Shout praises to the Lord!