The psalm praises the LORD and then confesses that Israel sinned from Egypt on: they forgot his works, made the golden calf, rebelled in the wilderness and joined in idolatry. Yet he remembered his covenant and showed compassion.
1 Praise ye the LORD . O give thanks unto the LORD ; for he is good : for his mercy endureth for ever .
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD ? who can shew forth all his praise ?
3 Blessed are they that keep judgment , and he that doeth righteousness at all times .
4 Remember me, O LORD , with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people : O visit me with thy salvation ;
5 That I may see the good of thy chosen , that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation , that I may glory with thine inheritance .
6 We have sinned with our fathers , we have committed iniquity , we have done wickedly .
7 Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt ; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies ; but provoked him at the sea , even at the Red sea .
8 Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known .
9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up : so he led them through the depths , as through the wilderness .
10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy .
11 And the waters covered their enemies : there was not one of them left .
12 Then believed they his words ; they sang his praise .
13 They soon forgat his works ; they waited not for his counsel :
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness , and tempted God in the desert .
15 And he gave them their request ; but sent leanness into their soul .
16 They envied Moses also in the camp , and Aaron the saint of the LORD .
17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan , and covered the company of Abiram .
18 And a fire was kindled in their company ; the flame burned up the wicked .
19 They made a calf in Horeb , and worshipped the molten image .
20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass .
21 They forgat God their saviour , which had done great things in Egypt ;
22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham , and terrible things by the Red sea .
23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach , to turn away his wrath , lest he should destroy them.
24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land , they believed not his word :
25 But murmured in their tents , and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD .
26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness :
27 To overthrow their seed also among the nations , and to scatter them in the lands .
28 They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor , and ate the sacrifices of the dead .
29 Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions : and the plague brake in upon them.
30 Then stood up Phinehas , and executed judgment : and so the plague was stayed .
31 And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore .
32 They angered him also at the waters of strife , so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:
33 Because they provoked his spirit , so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips .
34 They did not destroy the nations , concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
35 But were mingled among the heathen , and learned their works .
36 And they served their idols : which were a snare unto them.
37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils ,
38 And shed innocent blood , even the blood of their sons and of their daughters , whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan : and the land was polluted with blood .
39 Thus were they defiled with their own works , and went a whoring with their own inventions .
40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people , insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance .
41 And he gave them into the hand of the heathen ; and they that hated them ruled over them.
42 Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand .
43 Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel , and were brought low for their iniquity .
44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction , when he heard their cry :
45 And he remembered for them his covenant , and repented according to the multitude of his mercies .
46 He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives .
47 Save us, O LORD our God , and gather us from among the heathen , to give thanks unto thy holy name , and to triumph in thy praise .
48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting : and let all the people say , Amen . Praise ye the LORD .