Sing praises to the LORD recalls the reference to God as “my song” in verse 2. Although the Hebrew text does not specify what the people were to sing (praises is not present in Hebrew), the fuller context suggests it should be a song of thanksgiving or praise for what God has done. If a language requires an object here, this may be rendered “Sing songs to the LORD.” Good News Translation has no object with “Sing to the LORD.”

For he has done gloriously presents the reason for singing God’s praise. The Hebrew word rendered gloriously spells out how marvelously God has acted. It comes from a root meaning “to ascend / rise up,” and carries meanings such as “pride” (Psa 17.10, where Revised Standard Version renders it “arrogantly”) and “majesty.” For this line Revised English Bible suggests “for he has triumphed.” We may say “for he has done wonderful things.” Bible en français courant has “because he has done great things.”

Let this be known in all the earth is parallel in meaning to “make known his deeds among the nations” in the previous verse. This refers to the marvelous or awesome things that God has done. In all the earth means “among all the people of the earth.” We may say “everywhere” or “throughout the world.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Sing in praise of Yahweh for the marvelous things he has done;
let the whole world know about it.

• Sings songs in honor of the LORD for he has worked marvels;
may these things be known everywhere!

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .