< Psalms 118 >
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever.
Tell Yahweh that you thank him very much for the good [things that he has done for you] He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.
You Israeli [people] should [repeatedly] shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.
You [priests] who are descendants of Aaron should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves us, his people, forever!”
4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever.
All you who revere him should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.
When I was distressed, I called out to Yahweh, and he answered me and set me free [from my worries/troubles].
6 The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Yahweh is (on my side/helping me), so I will not be afraid [of anything]. No one [RHQ] can do anything that will [prevent God from blessing] me forever.
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that hate me.
[Yes], Yahweh is (on my side/helping me), [so] I will look triumphantly at my enemies [while he defeats them].
8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in Yahweh than to (depend on/trust in) people.
9 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
It is better to trust Yahweh to protect [us] than to trust [that influential/important] people [will protect us].
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
Armies of [MTY] many nations surrounded me, [but] Yahweh enabled me to defeat them by his power [MTY].
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They completely surrounded me, [but] I defeated them all by the power of Yahweh.
12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They swarmed around me like [angry] bees; they were like a fire that blazes strongly, but only briefly, in a thornbush, [but] I defeated them by the power [MTY] that Yahweh gave me.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
[My enemies] attacked me fiercely and almost defeated me, but Yahweh helped me.
14 The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Yahweh is the one who makes me strong, and he is the one about whom I [always] sing; he has saved me [from my enemies].
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Listen to the joyful songs of victory being sung in the tents of godly/righteous people! They sing, “Yahweh has defeated our enemies by his mighty power [MTY];
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
he has raised his strong right arm [to show he has defeated his enemies]. Yahweh has completely defeated them!”
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
I will not be killed [in battle]; I will live to proclaim the great things that Yahweh has done.
18 The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Yahweh has punished me severely, but he has not allowed (me to die/[my enemies] to kill me).
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:
[You gatekeepers], open for me the gates of the temple in order that I may enter and thank Yahweh.
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
Those are the gates [through which we enter the temple to worship] Yahweh; godly/righteous people enter those gates.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
[Yahweh], I thank you that you answered my prayer, and you saved me [from my enemies].
22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.
[Yahweh’s promised/chosen king is like] [MET] the stone which the builders rejected [when they were building a house], [but that stone] became the (cornerstone/most important stone in the building).
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it [is] marvellous in our eyes.
(This was done by Yahweh/Yahweh has done this), and it is a wonderful thing for us to see.
24 This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day in which [we remember that] Yahweh acted [powerfully to defeat our enemies]; we will rejoice and be glad/happy today.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Yahweh, we plead with you to [keep] rescuing us [from our enemies]. Yahweh, please help us (accomplish/do well) [what we want to do].
26 Blessed [be] he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
Yahweh, bless the one who will come with your authority [MTY]. And from the temple we (bless/[ask Yahweh to] bless) all of you.
27 God [is] the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, [even] unto the horns of the altar.
Yahweh is God, and he has caused his light to shine on us. Come, carrying [palm] branches, and join the people [who are starting] the festival as they go to the altar.
28 Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee.
[Yahweh], you are the God whom I [worship], and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will tell [everyone] that you are great!
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.
Thank Yahweh, because he does good things [for us] He will faithfully love [us] forever.