Chapter 65

Let the whole world keep holiday in God’s presence,

sing praise to his name, pay homage to his glory!

Cry out to God, What dread, Lord, thy acts inspire! How great is that might of thine, which makes thy enemies cringe before thee!

Let the whole earth worship thee, sing of thee, sing praises to thy name.

Come near, and see what God does, how wonderful he is in his dealings with human kind,

how he turns the sea into land, and lets men cross a river dry-shod; ours to rejoice in his mercy.

In that power of his he reigns for ever, and has eyes for what the Gentiles do; let rebellious souls tame their pride.

Bless the name of our God, you Gentiles, echo the sound of his praise.

God’s will is we should live yet; he does not suffer our steps to falter.

Yes, Lord, thou hast put us to the proof, tested us as men test silver in the fire;

led us into a snare, and bowed our backs with trouble,

while human masters rode us down; our way led through fire and water, yet in the end thou hast granted us relief.

See, I come into thy house with burnt-offerings, to pay thee all the vows

these lips have framed, this mouth has uttered, when trouble came upon me.

Fat burnt-offerings of sheep shall be thine, and the smoke of ram’s flesh; bullocks and goats shall be thy sacrifice.

Come and give ear, all you who worship God, while I tell of the great mercies he has shewn me;

how this voice of mine cried out to him, this tongue did him honour.

Would God listen to me, if my heart were set on wrong?

And God has listened to me; given heed to my cry for succour.

Blessed be God, who does not reject my prayer, does not withhold his mercy from me.