Psalms 116
1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice— my appeal for mercy.
2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
3 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)
The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. (Sheol h7585)
4 [But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”
Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, deliver my soul!”
5 Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me.
The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.
7 I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me.
Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 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.
For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9 [So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.”
I believed, therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.”
11 [Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
In my alarm I said, “All men are liars!”
12 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.
How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?
13 I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.
I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 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.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
15 Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
16 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).
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
17 [So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
18 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!
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the LORD’s house, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
