How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant^(A) and fitting to praise him!^(B)

² The Lord builds up Jerusalem;^(C)
    he gathers the exiles^(D) of Israel.
³ He heals the brokenhearted^(E)
    and binds up their wounds.^(F)
4 He determines the number of the stars^(G)
    and calls them each by name.
⁵ Great is our Lord^(H) and mighty in power;^(I)
    his understanding has no limit.^(J)
6 The Lord sustains the humble^(K)
    but casts the wicked^(L) to the ground.

⁷ Sing to the Lord^(M) with grateful praise;^(N)
    make music^(O) to our God on the harp.^(P)

⁸ He covers the sky with clouds;^(Q)
    he supplies the earth with rain^(R)
    and makes grass grow^(S) on the hills.
⁹ He provides food^(T) for the cattle
    and for the young ravens^(U) when they call.

¹⁰ His pleasure is not in the strength^(V) of the horse,^(W)
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
¹¹ the Lord delights^(X) in those who fear him,^(Y)
    who put their hope^(Z) in his unfailing love.^(AA)

¹² Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;^(AB)
    praise your God, Zion.

¹³ He strengthens the bars of your gates^(AC)
    and blesses your people^(AD) within you.
¹⁴ He grants peace^(AE) to your borders
    and satisfies you^(AF) with the finest of wheat.^(AG)

¹⁵ He sends his command^(AH) to the earth;
    his word runs^(AI) swiftly.
¹⁶ He spreads the snow^(AJ) like wool
    and scatters the frost^(AK) like ashes.
¹⁷ He hurls down his hail^(AL) like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
¹⁸ He sends his word^(AM) and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes,^(AN) and the waters flow.

¹⁹ He has revealed his word^(AO) to Jacob,^(AP)
    his laws and decrees^(AQ) to Israel.
²⁰ He has done this for no other nation;^(AR)
    they do not know^(AS) his laws.^[b]

Praise the Lord.^(AT)

² Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!^(B)
3 Do not spend your strength^[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.^(C)

⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,^(D)
    not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵ lest they drink^(E) and forget what has been decreed,^(F)
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
⁶ Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine^(G) for those who are in anguish!
⁷ Let them drink^(H) and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.