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.

2 You Israeli [people] should [repeatedly] shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”

3 You [priests] who are descendants of Aaron should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves us, his people, forever!”

4 All you who revere him should repeatedly shout, “He faithfully loves [us, his people], forever!”

5 When I was distressed, I called out to Yahweh, and he answered me and set me free [from my worries/troubles].

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.

7 [Yes], Yahweh is (on my side/helping me), [so] I will look triumphantly at my enemies [while he defeats them].

8 It is better to trust in Yahweh than to (depend on/trust in) people.

9 It is better to trust Yahweh to protect [us] than to trust [that influential/important] people [will protect us].

10 Armies of [MTY] many nations surrounded me, [but] Yahweh enabled me to defeat them by his power [MTY].

11 They completely surrounded me, [but] I defeated them all by the power of Yahweh.

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.

13 [My enemies] attacked me fiercely and almost defeated me, 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].

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];

16 he has raised his strong right arm [to show he has defeated his enemies]. Yahweh has completely defeated them!”

17 I will not be killed [in battle]; I will live to proclaim the great things that Yahweh has done.

18 Yahweh has punished me severely, but he has not allowed (me to die/[my enemies] to kill me).

19 [You gatekeepers], open for me the gates of the temple in order that I may enter and thank Yahweh.

20 Those are the gates [through which we enter the temple to worship] Yahweh; godly/righteous people enter those gates.

21 [Yahweh], I thank you that you answered my prayer, and you saved me [from my enemies].

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).

23 (This was done by Yahweh/Yahweh has done this), and it is a wonderful thing for us to see.

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.

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].

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.

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.

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!

29 Thank Yahweh, because he does good things [for us] He will faithfully love [us] forever.