1 Hallelujah!

How good it is to sing to our God,

for praise is pleasant and lovely.  *

2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;  *

he gathers Israel’s exiled people.  *

3 He heals the brokenhearted

and bandages their wounds.  *

4 He counts the number of the stars;

he gives names to all of them.  *

5 Our Lord is great, vast in power;

his understanding is infinite.  *,*

6 The Lord helps the oppressed

but brings the wicked to the ground.  *

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

play the lyre to our God,  *

8 who covers the sky with clouds,

prepares rain for the earth,

and causes grass to grow on the hills.  *

9 He provides the animals with their food,

and the young ravens what they cry for.  *

10 He is not impressed by the strength of a horse;

he does not value the power of a warrior.  *,*

11 The Lord values those who fear him,

those who put their hope in his faithful love.  *

12 Exalt the Lord, Jerusalem;

praise your God, Zion!  *

13 For he strengthens the bars of your city gates

and blesses your children within you.  *

14 He endows your territory with prosperity;  *,*

he satisfies you with the finest wheat.  *

15 He sends his command throughout the earth;

his word runs swiftly.  *

16 He spreads snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes;  *

17 he throws his hailstones like crumbs.

Who can withstand his cold?  *

18 He sends his word and melts them;

he unleashes his winds,  * and the water flows.  *

19 He declares his word to Jacob,

his statutes and judgments to Israel.  *

20 He has not done this for every nation;

they do not know his judgments.  *

Hallelujah!