Psalm 33(32) Exultate, justi

1 Triumph, just souls, in the Lord; true hearts, it is yours to praise him.

2 Give thanks to the Lord with the viol’s music, praise him with a harp of ten strings.

3 For him let a new song be sung; give him of your best, sound the harp and cry out lustily.

4 The Lord’s word is true, he is faithful in all his dealings;

5 faithfulness he loves, and the just award, the whole earth overflows with the Lord’s goodness.

6 It was the Lord’s word that made the heavens, the breath of his lips that peopled them;

7 he it is who stores up the waters of the sea as in a cistern, treasures up all its waves.

8 Let the whole earth hold the Lord in dread, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him;

9 he spoke, and they were made, he gave his command, and their frame was fashioned.

10 At the Lord’s bidding, a nation’s purposes come to nothing, a people’s designs are thwarted;

11 his own designs stand firm for ever; generation after generation, his will does not swerve.

12 Blessed the nation that calls the Lord its own God, the people he has chosen out to be his!

13 Looking down from heaven, he watches all mankind,

14 his dwelling-place has the whole world in view;

15 he has fashioned each man’s nature, and weighs the actions of each.

16 There is no protection for kings in powerful armies, for warriors in abundant prowess;

17 nor shall horses bring thee the mastery, brute strength that cannot save.

18 It is the Lord, watching over those who fear him and trust in his mercy,

19 that will protect their lives, will feed them in time of famine.

20 Patiently we wait for the Lord’s help; he is our strength and our shield;

21 in him our hearts will find contentment, in his holy name we trust.

22 Lord, let thy mercy rest upon us, who put all our confidence in thee. (KNOX)