< Psalms 116 >
1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
I love Jehovah, for he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications;
2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
For he hath inclined his ear unto me, and I will call upon him during [all] my days.
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 )
The bands of death encompassed me, and the anguish of Sheol took hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow: (Sheol )
4 [But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”
Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: I beseech thee, Jehovah, deliver my soul.
5 Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].
Gracious is Jehovah and righteous; and our God is merciful.
6 He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me.
Jehovah keepeth the simple: I was brought low, 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 unto thy rest, O my soul; for Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee.
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 thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, my feet from falling.
9 [So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.
I will walk before Jehovah 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 have I spoken. As for me, I was greatly afflicted.
11 [Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
I said in my haste, 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.
What shall I render unto Jehovah, [for] all his benefits toward me?
13 I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Jehovah.
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 perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people.
15 Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
Precious in the sight of Jehovah 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).
Yea, Jehovah! for I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 [So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of Jehovah.
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 perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people,
In the courts of Jehovah's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!