Joyful people, lift your voices

After Psalm 33


Joyful people, lift your voices
to the Lord, as music plays:
let new songs of vibrant worship
add their freshness to your praise.
Everything he does is tender,
he is right in what he says.

God who loves the cause of justice,
God whose kindness fills the earth!
By his word he made the heavens,
gave the stars and planets birth.
Let creation bow in reverence,
awed by his unrivalled worth.

He will thwart each evil purpose,
foil the schemes the nations planned.
His decrees endure for ever,
his intentions firmly stand.
Blessed are all whom God has chosen
to inherit from his hand.

As the Lord looks down from heaven
he observes us, every one;
seeing clearly and surveying
all who live beneath the sun;
maker of our very being,
he considers all we've done.

Sometimes what we most depend on
fails us in the hour of need:
generals leading troops in battle
are not certain to succeed,
for when soldiers train for action
victory is not guaranteed.

God our helper, strong protector,
always keeping us in view -
yours the power to save and nurture,
yours the name we know is true:
may your mercy overwhelm us
while we wait, O Lord, for you!


Emma Turl
© Emma Turl, admin. The Jubilate Group
Metre / Suggested tune: 8 7 8 7 8 7 / WESTMINSTER ABBEY (Purcell)