Psalm 118

Psalm 118

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”4 Let all who fear the LORD repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”5 In my distress I prayed to the LORD,
and the LORD answered me and set me free.6 The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?7 Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in people.9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.10 Though hostile nations surrounded me,
I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.12 They swarmed around me like bees;
they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD.13 My enemies did their best to kill me,
but the LORD rescued me.14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!16 The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!17 I will not die; instead, I will live
to tell what the LORD has done.18 The LORD has punished me severely,
but he did not let me die.19 Open for me the gates where the righteous enter,
and I will go in and thank the LORD.20 These gates lead to the presence of the LORD,
and the godly enter there.21 I thank you for answering my prayer
and giving me victory!22 The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.23 This is the LORD’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.24 This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.25 Please, LORD, please save us.
Please, LORD, please give us success.26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD.
We bless you from the house of the LORD.27 The LORD is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.28 You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

PSALMS 118

The [Lord] Is Always Merciful

1  t Tell the [Lord]
how thankful you are,
because he is kind
and always merciful.

2 Let Israel shout,
“God is always merciful!”

3 Let the family of Aaron
the priest shout,
“God is always merciful!”

4 Let every true worshiper
of the [Lord] shout,
“God is always merciful!”

5 When I was really hurting,
I prayed to the [Lord].
He answered my prayer,
and took my worries away.

6  t The [Lord] is on my side,
and I am not afraid
of what others can do to me.

7 With the [Lord] on my side,
I will defeat
my hateful enemies.

8 It is better to trust the [Lord]
for protection
than to trust anyone else,

9 including strong leaders.

10 Nations surrounded me,
but I got rid of them
by the power of the [Lord].

11 They attacked from all sides,
but I got rid of them
by the power of the [Lord].

12 They swarmed around like bees,
but by the power of the [Lord],
I got rid of them
and their fiery sting.

13 Their attacks were so fierce
that I nearly fell,
but the [Lord] helped me.

14  t My power and my strength
come from the [Lord],
and he has saved me.

15 From the tents of God's people
come shouts of victory:
“The [Lord] is powerful!

16 With his mighty arm
the [Lord] wins victories!
The [Lord] is powerful!”

17 And so my life is safe,
and I will live to tell
what the [Lord] has done.

18 He punished me terribly,
but he did not let death
lay its hands on me.

19 Open the gates of justice!
I will enter and tell the [Lord]
how thankful I am.

20 Here is the gate of the [Lord]!
Everyone who does right
may enter this gate.

21 I praise the [Lord]
for answering my prayers
and saving me.

22  t t The stone that the builders
tossed aside
has now become
the most important stone.

23 The [Lord] has done this,
and it is amazing to us.

24 This day belongs to the [Lord]!
Let's celebrate
and be glad today.

25  t We'll ask the [Lord] to save us!
We'll sincerely ask the [Lord]
to let us win.

26  t God bless the one who comes
in the name of the [Lord]!
We praise you from here
in the house of the [Lord].

27 The [Lord] is our God,
and he has given us light!
Start the celebration!
March with palm branches
all the way to the altar.t

28 The [Lord] is my God!
I will praise him and tell him
how thankful I am.

29 Tell the [Lord]
how thankful you are,
because he is kind
and always merciful.