Psalm 146

Lauda, anima mea
1
Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2
Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3
When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5
Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6
Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
8
The Lord loves the righteous;
the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9
The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Psalm 147

Laudate Dominum
1
Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2
The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3
He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4
He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6
The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8
He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9
He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10
He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11
He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12
But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
13
Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
14
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
15
He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16
He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
17
He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18
He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
19
He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20
He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21
He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!