Note: the psalm repeats the pattern of “worship – come and see/hear of God’s work – bless God”  The centre are words directed towards God concerning the benefits of chastening. 

To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.

A. 1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name:
make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God,
How terrible art thou in thy works!
through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee,
and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

B. 5 Come and see the works of God:
he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land:
they went through the flood on foot:
there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever;
his eyes behold the nations:
let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

C. 8 O bless our God, ye people,
and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life,
and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

D. 10 For thou, O God, hast proved us:
thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 Thou broughtest us into the net;
thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water:
but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

A’. 13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings:
I will pay thee my vows,
14 Which my lips have uttered,
and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings,
with the incense of rams;
I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

B’. 16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17 I cried unto him with my mouth,
and he was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,
the Lord will not hear me:
19 But verily God hath heard me;
he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

C’. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer,
nor his mercy from me.