Psalm 116

I love the Lord,(A) for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry(B) for mercy.(C)
Because he turned his ear(D) to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death(E) entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name(F) of the Lord:
    Lord, save me!(G)

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116 1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
“Please, God!” I cried out.
    “Save my life!”
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

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12 What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness(A) to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name(B) of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows(C) to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight(D) of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.(E)
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;(F)
    I serve you just as my mother did;(G)
    you have freed me from my chains.(H)

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering(I) to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows(J) to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts(K) of the house of the Lord
    in your midst, Jerusalem.(L)

Praise the Lord.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah

12-19 What can I give back to God
    for the blessings he’s poured out on me?
I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
    I’ll pray in the name of God;
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it together with his people.
When they arrive at the gates of death,
    God welcomes those who love him.
Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
    your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
I’m ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
    and pray in the name of God.
I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do,
    and I’ll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God’s house,
    in Jerusalem, God’s city.
Hallelujah!

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