Give Praise, O Servants of the LORD

The opening calls the servants of the LORD in his courts to praise him because he is good and because he has chosen Jacob as his own possession. From there the psalm grounds that praise in the LORD's greatness and freedom, showing him active across heaven, earth, sea, storm, lightning, rain, and wind.

H¹allelujah! ²who stand in the house of the LORD, ³Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; ⁴For the LORD has chosen Jacob as His own, ⁵For I know that the LORD is great; ⁶The LORD does all that pleases Him ⁷He causes the clouds to rise

The psalm turns from creation to history, remembering the striking of Egypt, the signs and wonders sent there, the defeat of many nations and named kings, and the gift of their land to Israel. These acts show that the LORD's name endures and that he will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.

⁸He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, ⁹He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, ¹⁰He struck down many nations ¹¹Sihon king of the Amorites, ¹²He gave their land as an inheritance, ¹³Your name, O LORD, endures forever, ¹⁴For the LORD will vindicate His people

Against the LORD's living acts, the idols of the nations are exposed as silver and gold images that cannot speak, see, hear, or breathe, and those who make and trust them become like them. The psalm then returns to its liturgical frame and calls Israel, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, and all who fear the LORD to bless him, ending with blessing from Zion.

¹⁵The idols of the nations are silver and gold, ¹⁶They have mouths, but cannot speak; ¹⁷they have ears, but cannot hear; ¹⁸Those who make them become like them, ¹⁹O house of Israel, bless the LORD; ²⁰O house of Levi, bless the LORD; ²¹Blessed be the LORD from Zion —