Psalm 96

1 Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing!

2 Sing to God-worship God! Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,3 Take the news of his glory to the lost, News of his wonders to one and all!

4 For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs. His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;

5 Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags. God made the heavens -6 Royal splendor radiates from him, A powerful beauty sets him apart.

7 Bravo, God, Bravo! Everyone join in the great shout: Encore! In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

8 Bring gifts and celebrate,9 Bow before the beauty of God, Then to your knees-everyone worship!

10 Get out the message-God Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; He treats everyone fair and square.

11 Let's hear it from Sky, With Earth joining in, And a huge round of applause from Sea.

12 Let Wilderness turn cartwheels, Animals, come dance, Put every tree of the forest in the choir -

13 An extravaganza before God as he comes, As he comes to set everything right on earth, Set everything right, treat everyone fair.

Psalm 97

1 God rules: there's something to shout over! On the double, mainlands and islands-celebrate!

2 Bright clouds and storm clouds circle 'round him; Right and justice anchor his rule.

3 Fire blazes out before him, Flaming high up the craggy mountains.

4 His lightnings light up the world; Earth, wide-eyed, trembles in fear.

5 The mountains take one look at God And melt, melt like wax before earth's Lord.

6 The heavens announce that he'll set everything right, And everyone will see it happen-glorious!

7 All who serve handcrafted gods will be sorry-And they were so proud of their ragamuffin gods! On your knees, all you gods-worship him!8 And Zion, you listen and take heart! Daughters of Zion, sing your hearts out: God has done it all, has set everything right.

9 You, God, are High God of the cosmos, Far, far higher than any of the gods.

10 God loves all who hate evil, And those who love him he keeps safe, Snatches them from the grip of the wicked.

11 Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.

12 So, God's people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

Psalm 98

1 Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders! He rolled up his sleeves, He set things right.

2 God made history with salvation, He showed the world what he could do.

3 He remembered to love us, a bonus To his dear family, Israel-indefatigable love. The whole earth comes to attention. Look-God's work of salvation!

4 Shout your praises to God, everybody! Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

5 Round up an orchestra to play for God, Add on a hundred-voice choir.

6 Feature trumpets and big trombones, Fill the air with praises to King God.

7 Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, With everything living on earth joining in.

8 Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!" And mountains harmonize the finale -

9 A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He'll straighten out the whole world, He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.