Study Desk

The idols of the nations^(ad) are silver and gold, made by human hands.^(ae)

They have mouths, but cannot speak,^(af) eyes, but cannot see.

They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath^(ag) in their mouths.

Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

All you Israelites, praise the Lord ;^(ah) house of Aaron, praise the Lord ;

house of Levi, praise the Lord ; you who fear him, praise the Lord .

Praise be to the Lord from Zion,^(ai) to him who dwells in Jerusalem.^(aj) Praise the Lord .

Give thanks^(a) to the Lord , for he is good.^(b) His love endures forever.^(c)

Give thanks^(d) to the God of gods.^(e) His love endures forever.

Give thanks^(f) to the Lord of lords:^(g) His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,^(h) His love endures forever.

who by his understanding⁽ⁱ⁾ made the heavens,^(j) His love endures forever.

who spread out the earth^(k) upon the waters,^(l) His love endures forever.

who made the great lights^(m)— His love endures forever.

the sun to govern⁽ⁿ⁾ the day, His love endures forever.

the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

to him who struck down the firstborn^(o) of Egypt His love endures forever.

and brought Israel out^(p) from among them His love endures forever.

with a mighty hand^(q) and outstretched arm;^(r) His love endures forever.

to him who divided the Red Sea^[a](s) asunder His love endures forever.

and brought Israel through^(t) the midst of it, His love endures forever.

but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;^(u) His love endures forever.

to him who led his people through the wilderness;^(v) His love endures forever.

to him who struck down great kings,^(w) His love endures forever.

and killed mighty kings^(x)— His love endures forever.

Sihon king of the Amorites^(y) His love endures forever.

and Og king of Bashan^(z)— His love endures forever.

and gave their land^(aa) as an inheritance,^(ab) His love endures forever.

an inheritance^(ac) to his servant Israel.^(ad) His love endures forever.

He remembered us^(ae) in our low estate His love endures forever.

and freed us^(af) from our enemies.^(ag) His love endures forever.

He gives food^(ah) to every creature. His love endures forever.

Give thanks^(ai) to the God of heaven.^(aj) His love endures forever.^(ak)

By the rivers of Babylon^(a) we sat and wept^(b) when we remembered Zion.^(c)

There on the poplars^(d) we hung our harps,^(e)

for there our captors^(f) asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded^(g) songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"^(h)

How can we sing the songs of the Lord ⁽ⁱ⁾ while in a foreign land?

If I forget you,^(j) Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

May my tongue cling to the roof^(k) of my mouth if I do not remember^(l) you, if I do not consider Jerusalem^(m) my highest joy.

Remember, Lord , what the Edomites⁽ⁿ⁾ did on the day Jerusalem fell.^(o) "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to its foundations!"^(p)

Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,^(q) happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.

Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them^(r) against the rocks.

Of David.

I will praise you, Lord , with all my heart; before the "gods"^(a) I will sing^(b) your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple^(c) and will praise your name^(d) for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,^(e) for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.^(f)

When I called,^(g) you answered me;^(h) you greatly emboldened⁽ⁱ⁾ me.