The Word Made Fresh
(To the worship leader: a song, a psalm.)
1Celebrate the LORD, all the earth!
2Sing about the glory of God’s name
and render to God glorious praises!
3Tell God, “Your actions are awesome!
Your enemies cringe from your power!
4The whole world worships you
and sings and praises your name!”
5Come and see what God has done.
What God has done for the people is awesome!
6God made a passage on dry land through the sea.
The people crossed over on foot, and celebrated God.
7For God rules in might forever
and watches over the nations
lest those who rebel pat themselves on the back.
8Praise God, people!
Let your praise be heard!
9God has kept us alive
and given us firm ground on which to walk.
10You have tested us, God.
You have examined us as silver is examined.
11You are the one who drew us into the net,
and put heavy burdens upon us.
12You allowed others to walk all over us
and we passed through trials of fire and water,
but you brought us to a safe place.
13So, I will enter your house with burnt offerings.
I will keep my promises to you.
14I will do everything I said I would do
when I was in trouble.
15I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,
and the smoke of the sacrifice will rise
from my offering of bulls and goats.
16Come! Come and listen, you who fear God.
I will tell you what God has done for me.
17I cried out loud to God,
and praised God with my voice.
18If I had kept wicked plans in my heart
the LORD would not have listened to me.
19But God has listened
and has heard my prayer.
20All honor and praise to God
because my prayer was not ignored
and God has loved me and protected me!
Commentary
Superscription: No one is named as author. The leader has instructed that this may be presented as a song or as a psalm – that is, sung or spoken.
1-4: The phrase “celebrate the LORD,” or “make a joyful noise to the LORD,” occurs fairly often in the psalms (see also psalms 95, 98, and 100). The occasion of the psalm appears to be a celebration either of victory or of continuing peace.
5-7: The miraculous escape from Egypt is remembered.
8-12: The psalm continues with a recitation of Israel’s history. After the exodus they endured many hardships, but God led them to the Promised Land, a “spacious place.”
13-15: Now the psalm becomes a personal testimony: just as God rescued Israel, God has rescued this psalmist, and in thanksgiving he is bringing offerings to the temple.
16-20: In addition to his offerings, he gives a public witness to what God has done for him – thus setting a good example for us all.
Takeaway
What has God done for you? Tell somebody!