Psalms 116

1 I love the Lord because he listens to me, he hears my calls for help.

I love the Lord, for he hears my voice, my pleas for mercy.

2 Because he pays attention to what I say I will pray to him as long as I live.

For he has inclined his ear to me: I will call upon him as long as I live.

3 I was caught in the snares of death; I was trapped by terrors of the grave. All I experienced was suffering and grief. (Sheol h7585)

About me were snares of death, the anguish of Sheol was upon me: distress and sorrow were mine. (Sheol h7585)

4 Then I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, please save me!”

Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘I beseech you, O Lord, deliver me.’

5 The Lord is so kind and good! Our God is so compassionate!

Gracious and just is the Lord, compassionate is our God.

6 The Lord takes care of those who are powerless; when I was brought down he saved me.

The Lord preserves the simple; when I was drooping, he saved me.

7 I can once again be at peace because the Lord has been good to me.

Be at peace, my heart, once more, for the Lord has been good to you.

8 For you have saved me from death, my eyes from crying, and my feet from stumbling.

You have rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

9 Now I can walk with the Lord in the land of the living.

Before the Lord I will walk in the land of the living.

10 I trusted in you, so I told you, “I'm suffering terribly!”

I held fast my faith, though I said, ‘Ah me! I am sore afflicted,’

11 I was so upset that I said, “Everyone's a liar!”

though in my alarm I said, ‘Everyone is a liar.’

12 What can I give the Lord in return for all he's done for me?

What shall I render the Lord for all his bounty to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and worship the Lord.

I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.

14 I will keep my promises to the Lord so everyone can see.

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

15 It hurts the Lord when those who trust in him die.

Grave in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his loyal and loved ones.

16 Lord, I really am your slave, serving you as my mother served you before me, yet you have set me free.

Ah, Lord! I am your servant, your servant, child of your handmaid. You have loosened my bonds.

17 I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you and I will worship you.

I will offer to you a thank-offering, and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will keep my promises to the Lord so everyone can see,

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,

19 there in the house of the Lord, right in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah.