When captives came to Zion,
Delivered by the Lord,
Then we became like dreamers
To see our own restored.
Our laughter filled our voices;
Our joy imbued each shout;
We hailed the lost returning,
For God had brought them out.

The nations watched with wonder;
They hastened to proclaim
The God who brought salvation,
The greatness of His name.
Now every heart rejoices
And every spirit sings,
For we repeat with gladness,
“The Lord has done great things!”

O Lord, restore our captives
As rain restores the streams,
That those who sow with mourning
May reap their joyful dreams.
They scatter seed in sorrow
And walk their fields in pain,
But they will come rejoicing
And bringing sheaves of grain.

Suggested tune:  WEBB
(“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”)

My soul, exalt the name of God;
Recall with thanks each benefit:
He pardons your iniquities,
And He redeems you from the pit.
He crowns you with His faithful love,
And He renews your years with rest
Because He acts with righteousness
And He is just to the oppressed.

To Israel He made known His ways;
He showed His mercy and His grace;
He does not hold His anger long
Nor keep our crimes before His face.
As high is heaven is from earth,
So is His love when we obey;
As far as east is from the west,
So far He takes our sins away.

Our Father knows our mortal frame:
Our days are numbered, like the grass;
The tempest blows; it is no more,
And from its place it soon will pass.
But God will always show His love
To those who honor Him with awe,
And He will bless with righteousness
The ones who know and keep His law.

The Lord has set His throne above;
He rules all things with majesty;
Exalt the Lord, you angels all,
Who do His will so faithfully!
Exalt the Lord, all you His hosts,
With all who bow to His control;
In all His works, let Him be praised;
Exalt Him always, O my soul!

Suggested tune:  “Higher Ground”

Come, servants of the Lord,
And magnify His name;
From this time forth, forevermore,
Exalt your God the same.
From rise till set of sun,
Let songs of praise arise;
The Lord is high above all lands,
His fame, above the skies.

Who is like God the Lord,
The One enthroned on high?
For none in heaven or on earth
Escape His watchful eye.
He raises up the poor
And honors the oppressed;
He grants the barren motherhood,
So let the Lord be blessed!

Suggested tune:  DIADEMATA
(“Crown Him with Many Crowns”)

Give the King Your judgments, God,
And Your goodness to the Son;
May He judge with righteousness,
Bringing peace to everyone.
Helping those who are oppressed,
May He give the needy rest!

While the sun and moon endure,
May their fear of You not cease;
Like the rains that bless the field,
May His rule abound with peace.
May His enemies bow down,
Doing homage to His crown.

When the needy cry for help,
In compassion He will save;
They are precious in His sight;
He will keep them from the grave.
Let them name Him as they pray
And show thankfulness all day.

May the harvest crown the hills;
May the city flourish too;
Ever may His name increase;
Let men honor it anew;
For the wonders of Your ways,
Let the earth be filled with praise!

Suggested tune:  DIX
(“For the Beauty of the Earth”)

Lord, fight with those who fight with me;
Take up Your shield and bring me aid;
Your spear must save me from my foes;
Let them be baffled and dismayed!
May Your good angel drive them on
And make their pathway slippery;
They spread their nets without a cause;
Repay what they had planned for me.

Then I shall glory in the Lord
Who saves afflicted ones from strife,
For lying witnesses rise up;
I helped them, but they seek my life.
When they were sick, I mourned and prayed
As for my mother or a friend,
But when I stumbled, they rejoiced
And slandered me without an end.

O Lord, how long will You look on?
From their destruction, set me free,
And I will praise You in the midst,
For they accuse me wrongfully.
They speak not peace but lying words,
Though I was quiet and at rest.
They opened wide their mouths at me
And testified that I transgressed.

You know the truth; O Lord, reply!
Stir up Yourself; defend the right;
According to Your justice, judge;
Do not abase me in their sight.
Let those who hate me be cast down
While those who love the truth rejoice;
Then I will tell Your righteousness
And praise Your name with heart and voice.

Suggested tune:  “In Christ Alone”