Psalms 116
1 I have given my love to the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my cry and my prayer.
I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
2 He has let my request come before him, and I will make my prayer to him all my days.
He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
3 The nets of death were round me, and the pains of the underworld had me in their grip; I was full of trouble and sorrow. (Sheol h7585)
Everything around me [MET] caused me to think that I would die; I was very afraid that I would [die and go to] the place where dead people are. I was very distressed/worried and afraid. (Sheol h7585)
4 Then I made my prayer to the Lord, saying, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble.
[But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”
5 The Lord is full of grace and righteousness; truly, he is a God of mercy.
Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].
6 The Lord keeps the simple; I was made low, and he was my saviour.
He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me.
7 Come back to your rest, O my soul; for the Lord has given you your reward.
I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me.
8 You have taken my soul from the power of death, keeping my eyes from weeping, and my feet from falling.
Yahweh has saved me [SYN] from dying, and has kept/protected me from [troubles that would cause me to] cry. He has kept/protected me from stumbling.
9 I will go before the Lord in the land of the living.
[So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.
10 I still had faith, though I said, I am in great trouble;
I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.”
11 Though I said in my fear, All men are false.
[Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
12 What may I give to the Lord for all the good things which he has done for me?
So now [I will tell you] [RHQ] what I will offer to Yahweh, because of all the good things that he has done for me.
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and give praise to the name of the Lord.
I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.
14 I will make the offering of my oath to the Lord, even before all his people.
When I am together with many [HYP] people who belong to Yahweh, I will give to him the offerings that I solemnly promised to give to him.
15 Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
16 O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of her who is your servant; by you have my cords been broken.
I am one of those who serve Yahweh; I serve him like my mother did. He has freed/saved me from dying (OR, from being fastened by chains).
17 I will give an offering of praise to you, and make my prayer in the name of the Lord.
[So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
18 I will make the offerings of my oath, even before all his people;
When I am together with many of [HYP] the people who belong to Yahweh, [in the courtyard] outside his temple in Jerusalem, I will give to him the offerings that I solemnly promised to give to him. Praise Yahweh!
19 In the Lord's house, even in Jerusalem. Praise be to the Lord.
