Psalms 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, his kindness endures forever.

2 Let Israel say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

Let the house of Israel now say: his kindness endures forever.

3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron now say: his kindness endures forever.

4 Let those who fear the LORD say, “His loving devotion endures forever.”

Let those who fear the Lord now say: his kindness endures forever.

5 In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.

Out of straits I called on the Lord, the Lord answered and gave me room.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

The Lord is mine; I am fearless. What can mere people do to me?

7 The LORD is on my side; He is my helper. Therefore I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

The Lord is mine, as my help: I shall feast my eyes on my foes.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.

It is better to hide in the Lord than to trust in mortals.

9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

It is better to hide in the Lord than to put any trust in princes.

10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

Everywhere heathen swarmed round me; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

They swarmed, swarmed around me; in the name of the Lord I cut them down,

12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

they swarmed around me like bees, they blazed like a fire of thorns: in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

13 I was pushed so hard I was falling, but the LORD helped me.

Sore they pushed me, to make me fall; but the Lord gave me his help.

14 The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he is become my salvation.

15 Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!

Hark! In the tents of the righteous glad cries of victory are ringing. The hand of the Lord has wrought bravely,

16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!”

the hand of the Lord is exalted, the hand of the Lord has wrought bravely.

17 I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.

I shall not die: nay, I shall live, to declare the works of the Lord.

18 The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.

Though the Lord has chastened me sore, he has not given me over to death. (The Procession arrives at the Temple)

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD.

‘Open to me the gates of victory. I would enter therein and give thanks to the Lord.’ (The Welcome)

20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

‘This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous may enter therein;’

21 I will give You thanks, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.

I thank you because you have heard me, and are become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

The stone which the builders despised is become the head-stone of the corner.

23 This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

This has been wrought by the Lord; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

This day is the Lord’s own creation: in it let us joy and be glad.

25 O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!

O Lord, save us, we pray, O Lord, prosper, we pray.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

Blessed the one who enters in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.

27 The LORD is God; He has made His light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.

The Lord is God, he has given us light. Wreathe the dance with boughs, till they touch the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.

You are my God, I will thank you; O my God, I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness: his kindness endures forever.