Psalms 116
1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
Alleluia. I am well pleased, because the Lord will listen to the voice of my supplication.
2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
Because he has inclined his ear to me, therefore will I call upon him while 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 pangs of death compassed me; the dangers of hell found me: I found affliction 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 merciful and righteous; yes, our God has pity.
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 simple: I was brought low, and he delivered 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 dealt bountifully with 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 he has delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 [So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.
I shall be well-pleasing 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.”
Alleluia. I believed, therefore I have spoken: but I was greatly afflicted.
11 [Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
And I said in mine amazement, Every man is a liar.
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 to the Lord for all the things wherein he has rewarded 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 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 pay 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).
O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid: you have burst by bonds asunder.
17 [So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
I will offer to you the sacrifice of praise, and will call upon 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 pay my vows to the Lord, in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of you, Jerusalem.
