< Psalms 116 >
1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
I love Yahweh—because he heareth my voice, my supplications;
2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
Because he hath bowed down his ear unto me, therefore, throughout my days, will I call.
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 meshes of death encompassed me, and the distresses of hades, came upon me, Peril and sorrow, I found; (Sheol )
4 [But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”
But, on the Name of Yahweh, I called—I beseech thee, Yahweh, deliver my soul.
5 Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].
Gracious is Yahweh and righteous, and, 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.
Yahweh, preserveth the simple, I was brought low, when, to me, he granted salvation.
7 I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me.
Return, O my soul, to thy rest, For, Yahweh, 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 rescued my soul from death, —mine 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 to and fro before Yahweh, in the lands of life.
10 I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.”
I believed that I should speak, I, was greatly depressed.
11 [Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].
I, said in mine alarm, All men, are false!
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 shall I give back to Yahweh, All his benefits unto me?
13 I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.
The cup of salvation, will I lift, and, on the Name of Yahweh, will I call:
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.
My vows—to Yahweh, will I pay, Might it be in presence of all his people!
15 Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
Costly in the eyes of Yahweh, is, death, for his men of lovingkindness.
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).
I beseech thee, O Yahweh—for, I, am thy servant, —I, am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid, Thou hast loosened my bonds.
17 [So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.
To thee, will I sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and, on the Name of Yahweh, will I call:
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!
My vows—to Yahweh, will I pay, Might it be in the presence of all his people; —
In the courts of the house of Yahweh, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Yah!