Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
(Psalm 117 NIV)
We praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. You, Lord, are exalted over all the nations, your glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? *
When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs. Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.** Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.***
Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; you do whatever pleases you. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. But we trust in the Lord— you are our help and shield. We who fear him trust in you, Lord,— you are our help and shield. You, Lord, remember us and will bless us: you will bless those who fear you—small and great alike. May you cause us to flourish, both us and our children. May we be blessed by you, the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Blessed are we who fear the Lord, who find great delight in your commands. Our children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in you, Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.****
We love you, Lord, for you heard our voice; you heard our cry for mercy. Because you turned your ear to us, we will call on you as long as we live. You are gracious and righteous, full of compassion. We will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. We will fulfill our vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem.*****
We praise you, Lord!!
Amen
Adapted from:
*Psalm 113:1-6 NIV
**Psalm 114:1-4, 7-8 NIV
***Psalm 115:1-4, 9, 12-18 NIV
**** Psalm 112 NIV
*****Psalm 116:1-2, 5, 17-19 NIV