Psalm 95–96

^1–295Come, let’s shout praises to God,

raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!

Let’s march into his presence singing praises,

lifting the rafters with our hymns!

^3–5And why? Because God is the best,

High King over all the gods.

In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,

in the other hand grasps the high mountains.

He made Ocean—he owns it!

His hands sculpted Earth!

^6–7So come, let us worship: bow before him,

on your knees before God, who made us!

Oh yes, he’s our God,

and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

^7–11Drop everything and listen, listen as he speaks:

“Don’t turn a deaf ear as in the Bitter Uprising,

As on the day of the Wilderness Test,

when your ancestors turned and put me to the test.

For forty years they watched me at work among them,

as over and over they tried my patience.

And I was provoked—oh, was I provoked!

‘Can’t they keep their minds on God for five minutes?

Do they simply refuse to walk down my road?’

Exasperated, I exploded,

‘They’ll never get where they’re headed,

never be able to sit down and rest.’ ”

^1–296Sing God a brand-new song!

Earth and everyone in it, sing!

Sing to God—worship God!

^2–3Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,

Take the news of his glory to the lost,

News of his wonders to one and all!

^4–5For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.

His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;

Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.

^5–6God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

⁷Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

^8–9Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God,

Then to your knees—everyone worship!

¹⁰Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

¹¹Let’s hear it from Sky,

With Earth joining in,

And a huge round of applause from Sea.

¹²Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,

Animals, come dance,

Put every tree of the forest in the choir—

¹³An extravaganza before God as he comes,

As he comes to set everything right on earth,

Set everything right, treat everyone fair.