Psalms 116
1 It is lovely to me that the Lord heareth my voice, my supplications.
I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
2 For he hath inclined his ear unto me: therefore throughout all my days will I call on him.
He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
3 The bands of death had compassed me, and the pangs of the nether world had overtaken me; I had met with distress 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 I then called on the name of the Lord, I beseech thee, O Lord, release my soul.
[But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; and our God is merciful.
Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].
6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.
He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, unto thy rest; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, 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 walk before the Lord in the land of life.
[So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.
10 I believe, therefore will I speak: I was greatly afflicted;
I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.”
11 I indeed said in my despondency, Every man is a liar.
[Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
12 What shall I give in return unto the Lord for all his bounties toward 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 The cup of salvation will I lift up, and on the name of the Lord will I call.
I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.
14 My vows will I pay unto the Lord, yea, in the presence of 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 Grievous in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his pious ones.
Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
16 O Lord, truly am I thy servant, I am thy servant, —the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosened my fetters.
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 Unto thee will I offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and on the name of the Lord will I call.
[So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
18 My vows will I pay unto the Lord, yea, in the presence of 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 courts of the house of the Lord, in thy midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah.
