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1 Rejoice in the LORD, good people!
It is only right for good people to praise him.
2 Play the lyre and praise the LORD.
Play the ten-stringed harp for him.
3 Sing a new song* new song Whenever God did a new and wonderful thing for his people, they would write a new song about it. to him.
Play it well and sing it loud!
4 The LORD’S word is true,
and he is faithful in everything he does.
5 He loves goodness and justice.
The LORD’S faithful love fills the earth.
6 The LORD spoke the command, and the world was made.
The breath from his mouth created everything in the heavens.
7 He gathered together the water of the sea.
He put the ocean in its place.
8 Everyone on earth should fear and respect the LORD.
All the people in the world should fear him,
9 because when he speaks, things happen.
And if he says, “Stop!”—then it stops.† And if … stops Or “He gives the command, and it stands!” The word “stand” can mean “stand forever” or “stop.”
10 The LORD can ruin every decision the nations make.
He can spoil all their plans.
11 But the LORD’S decisions are good forever.
His plans are good for generation after generation.
12 Great blessings belong to those who have the LORD as their God!
He chose them to be his own special people.
13 The LORD looked down from heaven
and saw all the people.
14 From his high throne he looked down
at all the people living on earth.
15 He created every person’s mind,
and he knows what each one is doing.
16 A king is not saved by the power of his army.
A soldier does not survive by his own great strength.
17 Horses don’t really bring victory in war.
Their strength cannot help you escape.
18 The LORD watches over his followers,
those who wait for him to show his faithful love.
19 He saves them from death.
He gives them strength when they are hungry.
20 So we will wait for the LORD.
He helps us and protects us.
21 He makes us happy.
We trust his holy name.
22 LORD, we worship you,
so show your great love for us.