Psalms 116
1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.
I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.
2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.
Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore 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 cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found 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 LORD’s name: “LORD, I beg you, 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. Yes, 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.
The LORD preserves 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 to your rest, 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 you have delivered my soul from death, my 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 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 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 people 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 will I give to the LORD 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 on the LORD’s name.
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, yes, in the presence of all his people.
15 Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.
Precious in the LORD’s sight is the death of his holy ones.
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).
LORD, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.
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 thanksgiving, and will call on the LORD’s name.
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, yes, in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the LORD’s house, in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
