Psalms

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

1Praise the LORD! Sing a new song to the LORD. Praise him when his faithful people gather together.

Note"Saints" in 1611 English simply meant God's own people, the ones loyal to him. It did not mean a special class of holy heroes.

2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

2Let Israel be glad because of the God who made them. Let the people of Zion be full of joy because of their King.

3Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

3Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music for him with tambourine and harp.

4For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

4The LORD is pleased with his people. He clothes the poor and humble with his saving help.

Note"Meek" here does not only mean mild or quiet. The word covers people who are poor, humble, or being pushed around by others.

5Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

5Let his faithful people celebrate this honor. Let them sing out with joy even as they lie on their beds.

6Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

6Let high praise of God be in their mouths, and a sword with two sharp edges in their hands.

7To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

7They will pay back the nations for the wrong they have done, and punish the peoples.

8To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

8They will tie up their kings with chains, and their important men with iron shackles.

9To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

9They will carry out the sentence that has already been written down. This honor belongs to all his faithful people. Praise the LORD!