Psalms 118
1 Tell Yahweh that you thank him very much for the good [things that he has done for you] He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever.
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 You Israeli [people] should [repeatedly] shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”
Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
3 You [priests] who are descendants of Aaron should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves us, his people, forever!”
Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
4 All you who revere him should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”
Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.
5 When I was distressed, I called out to Yahweh, and he answered me and set me free [from my worries/troubles].
Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.
6 Yahweh is (on my side/helping me), so I will not be afraid [of anything]. No one [RHQ] can do anything that will [prevent God from blessing] me forever.
Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7 [Yes], Yahweh is (on my side/helping me), [so] I will look triumphantly at my enemies [while he defeats them].
Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to (depend on/trust in) people.
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust Yahweh to protect [us] than to trust [that influential/important] people [will protect us].
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes.
10 Armies of [MTY] many nations surrounded me, [but] Yahweh enabled me to defeat them by his power [MTY].
All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
11 They completely surrounded me, [but] I defeated them all by the power of Yahweh.
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In Yahweh’s name I indeed cut them off.
12 They swarmed around me like [angry] bees; they were like a fire that blazes strongly, but only briefly, in a thornbush, [but] I defeated them by the power [MTY] that Yahweh gave me.
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In Yahweh’s name I cut them off.
13 [My enemies] attacked me fiercely and almost defeated me, but Yahweh helped me.
You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.
14 Yahweh is the one who makes me strong, and he is the one about whom I [always] sing; he has saved me [from my enemies].
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
15 Listen to the joyful songs of victory being sung in the tents of godly/righteous people! They sing, “Yahweh has defeated our enemies by his mighty power [MTY];
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.
16 he has raised his strong right arm [to show he has defeated his enemies]. Yahweh has completely defeated them!”
The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”
17 I will not be killed [in battle]; I will live to proclaim the great things that Yahweh has done.
I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works.
18 Yahweh has punished me severely, but he has not allowed (me to die/[my enemies] to kill me).
Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 [You gatekeepers], open for me the gates of the temple in order that I may enter and thank Yahweh.
Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah.
20 Those are the gates [through which we enter the temple to worship] Yahweh; godly/righteous people enter those gates.
This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.
21 [Yahweh], I thank you that you answered my prayer, and you saved me [from my enemies].
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.
22 [Yahweh’s promised/chosen king is like] [MET] the stone which the builders rejected [when they were building a house], [but that stone] became the (cornerstone/most important stone in the building).
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 (This was done by Yahweh/Yahweh has done this), and it is a wonderful thing for us to see.
This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day in which [we remember that] Yahweh acted [powerfully to defeat our enemies]; we will rejoice and be glad/happy today.
This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
25 Yahweh, we plead with you to [keep] rescuing us [from our enemies]. Yahweh, please help us (accomplish/do well) [what we want to do].
Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
26 Yahweh, bless the one who will come with your authority [MTY]. And from the temple we (bless/[ask Yahweh to] bless) all of you.
Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.
27 Yahweh is God, and he has caused his light to shine on us. Come, carrying [palm] branches, and join the people [who are starting] the festival as they go to the altar.
Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
28 [Yahweh], you are the God whom I [worship], and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will tell [everyone] that you are great!
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.
29 Thank Yahweh, because he does good things [for us] He will faithfully love [us] forever.
Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
