He appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the Lord, to offer prayers, songs of thanks, and hymns to the Lord God of Israel.

When they began to shout and praise, the Lord suddenly attacked ¹  the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir ²  who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to praise the Lord, using the psalms ¹  of David and Asaph the prophet. ²  So they joyfully offered praise and bowed down and worshiped.

That person sings ¹  to others, ²  saying: ‘I have sinned and falsified what is right, but I was not punished according to what I deserved. ³ 

From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, ¹  so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. ² 

“What ¹  profit is there in taking my life, ²  in my descending into the Pit? ³  Can the dust of the grave ⁴  praise you? Can it declare your loyalty? ⁵ 

By David; a well-written song. ²  How blessed ³  is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven, ⁴  whose sin is pardoned! ⁵ 

For the music director; a well-written song ²  by the Korahites. As a deer ³  longs ⁴  for streams of water, so I long ⁵  for you, O God!

For the music director; by the Korahites, a well-written song. ²  O God, we have clearly heard; ³  our ancestors ⁴  have told us what you did ⁵  in their days, in ancient times. ⁶ 

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a well-written song ²  by David. Listen, O God, to my prayer! Do not ignore ³  my appeal for mercy!

As for me, I will sing about your strength; I will praise your loyal love in the morning. For you are my refuge ¹  and my place of shelter when I face trouble. ² 

You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you! ¹  For God is my refuge, ²  the God who loves me. ³ 

Even those living in the most remote areas are awestruck by your acts; ¹  you cause those living in the east and west to praise you. ² 

He turned the sea into dry land; ¹  they passed through the river on foot. ²  Let us rejoice in him there! ³ 

Let foreigners ¹  rejoice and celebrate! For you execute justice among the nations, and govern the people living on earth. ²  (Selah)

I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument, praising ¹  your faithfulness, O my God! I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp, O Holy One of Israel! ² 

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Why, O God, have you permanently rejected us? ³  Why does your anger burn ⁴  against the sheep of your pasture?

A well-written song ²  by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! ³ 

At that time we laughed loudly and shouted for joy. ¹  At that time the nations said, ²  “The Lord has accomplished great things for these people.”

The one who weeps as he walks along, carrying his bag ¹  of seed, will certainly come in with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves of grain. ²