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Psalm 118

A Song of Victory

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
    the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
    What can mortals do to me?
The Lord is on my side to help me;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in mortals.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
    they blazed[a] like a fire of thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard,[b] so that I was falling,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and my might;
    he has become my salvation.

15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly;
16     the right hand of the Lord is exalted;
    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
    and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has punished me severely,
    but he did not give me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.

21 I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.[c]
25 Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
    O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

26 Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.[d]
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
    and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
    up to the horns of the altar.[e]

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God, I will extol you.

29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 118:12 Gk: Heb were extinguished
  2. Psalm 118:13 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb You pushed me hard
  3. Psalm 118:24 Or in him
  4. Psalm 118:26 Or Blessed in the name of the Lord is the one who comes
  5. Psalm 118:27 Meaning of Heb uncertain

A Prayer of Thanks for Victory

118 (A)Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good,
    and his love is eternal.
Let the people of Israel say,
    “His love is eternal.”
Let the priests of God say,
    “His love is eternal.”
Let all who worship him say,
    “His love is eternal.”

In my distress I called to the Lord;
    he answered me and set me free.
(B)The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid;
    what can anyone do to me?
It is the Lord who helps me,
    and I will see my enemies defeated.
It is better to trust in the Lord
    than to depend on people.
It is better to trust in the Lord
    than to depend on human leaders.

10 Many enemies were around me;
    but I destroyed them by the power of the Lord!
11 They were around me on every side;
    but I destroyed them by the power of the Lord!
12 They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they burned out as quickly as a brush fire;
    by the power of the Lord I destroyed them.
13 I was fiercely attacked and was being defeated,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 (C)The Lord makes me powerful and strong;
    he has saved me.

15 Listen to the glad shouts of victory in the tents of God's people:
    “The Lord's mighty power has done it!
16     His power has brought us victory—
    his mighty power in battle!”

17 I will not die; instead, I will live
    and proclaim what the Lord has done.
18 He has punished me severely,
    but he has not let me die.

19 Open to me the gates of the Temple;
    I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!

20 This is the gate of the Lord;
    only the righteous can come in.

21 I praise you, Lord, because you heard me,
    because you have given me victory.

22 (D)The stone which the builders rejected as worthless
    turned out to be the most important of all.
23 This was done by the Lord;
    what a wonderful sight it is!
24 This is the day of the Lord's victory;
    let us be happy, let us celebrate!
25 (E)Save us, Lord, save us!
    Give us success, O Lord!

26 (F)May God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    From the Temple of the Lord we bless you.
27 The Lord is God; he has been good to us.
With branches in your hands, start the festival
    and march around the altar.

28 You are my God, and I give you thanks;
    I will proclaim your greatness.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good,
    and his love is eternal.

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord,(A) for he is good;(B)
    his love endures forever.(C)

Let Israel say:(D)
    “His love endures forever.”(E)
Let the house of Aaron say:(F)
    “His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord(G) say:
    “His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed,(H) I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.(I)
The Lord is with me;(J) I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?(K)
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.(L)
    I look in triumph on my enemies.(M)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord(N)
    than to trust in humans.(O)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.(P)
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(Q)
11 They surrounded me(R) on every side,(S)
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,(T)
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;(U)
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(V)
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.(W)
14 The Lord is my strength(X) and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.(Y)

15 Shouts of joy(Z) and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand(AA) has done mighty things!(AB)
16     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die(AC) but live,
    and will proclaim(AD) what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened(AE) me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.(AF)
19 Open for me the gates(AG) of the righteous;
    I will enter(AH) and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord(AI)
    through which the righteous may enter.(AJ)
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;(AK)
    you have become my salvation.(AL)

22 The stone(AM) the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;(AN)
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous(AO) in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.(AP)

25 Lord, save us!(AQ)
    Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes(AR) in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.[b](AS)
27 The Lord is God,(AT)
    and he has made his light shine(AU) on us.
With boughs in hand,(AV) join in the festal procession
    up[c] to the horns of the altar.(AW)

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God,(AX) and I will exalt(AY) you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 118:14 Or song
  2. Psalm 118:26 The Hebrew is plural.
  3. Psalm 118:27 Or Bind the festal sacrifice with ropes / and take it

Thanksgiving for the Lords Saving Goodness.

118 (A)Give thanks to the Lord, for (B)He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.
Let (C)Israel say,
“His mercy is everlasting.”
Oh let the (D)house of Aaron say,
“His mercy is everlasting.”
Let those (E)who [a]fear the Lord say,
“His mercy is everlasting.”

From my (F)distress I called upon [b]the Lord;
[c]The Lord answered me and (G)put me in an open space.
The Lord is (H)for me; I will (I)not fear;
(J)What can man do to me?
The Lord is for me (K)among those who help me;
Therefore I will (L)look with satisfaction on those who hate me.
It is (M)better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in people.
It is (N)better to take refuge in the Lord
Than to trust in noblemen.

10 All nations (O)surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will certainly (P)fend them off.
11 They (Q)surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off.
12 They surrounded me (R)like bees;
They were extinguished like a (S)fire of thorn bushes;
In the name of the Lord I will certainly fend them off.
13 You (T)pushed me violently so that I [d]was falling,
But the Lord (U)helped me.
14 [e](V)The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become (W)my salvation.

15 The sound of (X)joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous;
The (Y)right hand of the Lord performs valiantly.
16 The (Z)right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord performs valiantly.
17 I (AA)will not die, but live,
And (AB)tell of the works of [f]the Lord.
18 [g]The Lord has (AC)disciplined me severely,
But He has (AD)not turned me over to death.

19 (AE)Open the gates of righteousness to me;
I will enter through them, I will give thanks to [h]the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
The (AF)righteous will enter through it.
21 I will give thanks to You, for You have (AG)answered me,
And You have (AH)become my salvation.

22 A (AI)stone which the builders rejected
Has become the [i]chief cornerstone.
23 This came about from the Lord;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let’s (AJ)rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please, O Lord, (AK)do save us;
Please, O Lord, do send (AL)prosperity!
26 (AM)Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord;
We have (AN)blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 (AO)The Lord is God, and He has given us (AP)light;
Bind the festival sacrifice [j]to the (AQ)horns of the altar with cords.
28 (AR)You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, (AS)I exalt You.
29 (AT)Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His mercy is everlasting.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 118:4 Or revere
  2. Psalm 118:5 Heb Yah
  3. Psalm 118:5 Heb Yah
  4. Psalm 118:13 Or fell
  5. Psalm 118:14 Heb Yah
  6. Psalm 118:17 Heb Yah
  7. Psalm 118:18 Heb Yah
  8. Psalm 118:19 Heb Yah
  9. Psalm 118:22 Lit head of the corner
  10. Psalm 118:27 Lit unto

118 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.

For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.

Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.

O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.

Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments.

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.

I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.

BETH. By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.

10 With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

11 Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

13 With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.

16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

17 GIMEL. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.

18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments.

22 Remove from reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies.

23 For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.

24 For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel.

25 DALETH. My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.

28 My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words.

29 Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.

31 I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame.

32 I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart.

33 HE. Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it.

34 Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.

36 Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way.

38 Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.

39 Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful.

40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice.

41 VAU. Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word.

42 So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words.

43 And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words have I hoped exceedingly.

44 So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever.

45 And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments.

46 And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed.

47 I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved.

48 And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications.

49 ZAIN. Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope.

50 This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me.

51 The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law.

52 I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted.

53 A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54 Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage.

55 In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law.

56 This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications.

57 HETH. O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep the law.

58 I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word.

59 I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments.

61 The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification.

63 I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications.

65 TETH. Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word.

66 Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments.

67 Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.

69 The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law.

71 It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.

72 The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver.

73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: because I have greatly hoped in thy words.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

76 O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation.

78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments.

79 Let them that fear thee turn to me and they that know thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.

81 CAPH. My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped.

82 My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications.

84 How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85 The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law.

86 All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.

87 They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments.

88 Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.

90 Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth.

91 By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee.

92 Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.

93 Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life.

94 I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97 MEM. O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me.

99 I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.

102 I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.

103 How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth.

104 By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity.

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.

106 I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.

107 I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word.

108 The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.

110 Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts.

111 I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are a joy to my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward.

113 SAMECH. I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law.

114 Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped.

115 Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation.

117 Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications.

118 Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.

119 I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.

120 Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.

122 Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.

123 My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice.

124 Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications.

125 I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law.

127 Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz.

128 Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways.

129 PHE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them.

130 The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones.

131 I opened my mouth and panted: because I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name.

133 Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications.

136 My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law.

137 SADE. Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right.

138 Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly.

139 My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words.

140 Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it.

141 I am very young and despised; but I forgot not thy justifications.

142 Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation.

144 Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.

145 COPH. I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications.

146 I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments.

147 I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped.

148 My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words.

149 Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy mercy.

150 They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from the law.

151 Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth.

152 I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 RES. See my humiliation and deliver me: for I have not forgotten the law.

154 Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake.

155 Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications.

156 Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment.

157 Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; because they kept not thy word.

159 Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy.

160 The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.

161 SIN. Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.

162 I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil.

163 I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law.

164 Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice.

165 Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block.

166 I looked to thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and hath loved them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight.

169 TAU. Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.

172 My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice.

173 Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation.

175 My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me.

176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.