1 Joyfully sing to the LORD, you righteous people. Praising [the LORD] is proper for decent people.

2 Give thanks with a lyre to the LORD. Make music for him on a ten-stringed harp.

3 Sing a new song to him. Play beautifully and joyfully on stringed instruments.

4 The word of the LORD is correct, and everything he does is trustworthy.

5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice. His mercy fills the earth.

6 The heavens were made by the word of the LORD and all the stars by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the water in the sea like a dam and puts the oceans in his storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD. Let all who live in the world stand in awe of him.

9 He spoke, and it came into being. He gave the order, and there it stood.

10 The LORD blocks the plans of the nations. He frustrates the schemes of the people of the world.

11 The LORD's plan stands firm forever. His thoughts stand firm in every generation.

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. Blessed are the people he has chosen as his own.

13 The LORD looks down from heaven. He sees all of Adam's descendants.

14 From the place where he sits enthroned, he looks down upon all who live on earth.

15 The one who formed their hearts understands everything they do.

16 No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength.

17 Horses are not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape.

18 The LORD's eyes are on those who fear him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy

19 to rescue their souls from death and keep them alive during a famine.

20 We wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts find joy. In his holy name we trust.

22 Let your mercy rest on us, O LORD, since we wait with hope for you.