Psalm 118

Thanksgiving for Victory

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.(A)
Let Israel say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”(B)
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”(C)
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His faithful love endures forever.”(D)

I called to the Lord in distress;(E)
the Lord answered me
and put me in a spacious place.[a](F)
The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.
What can a mere mortal do to me?(G)
The Lord is my helper;
therefore, I will look in triumph on those who hate me.(H)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humanity.(I)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in nobles.(J)

10 All the nations surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.(K)
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.(L)
12 They surrounded me like bees;(M)
they were extinguished like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the Lord I destroyed them.(N)
13 They[b] pushed me hard to make me fall,
but the Lord helped me.(O)
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.(P)

15 There are shouts of joy and victory
in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!(Q)
16 The Lord’s right hand is raised.
The Lord’s right hand performs valiantly!” (R)
17 I will not die, but I will live
and proclaim what the Lord has done.(S)
18 The Lord disciplined me severely
but did not give me over to death.(T)

19 Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.(U)
20 This is the Lord’s gate;
the righteous will enter through it.(V)
21 I will give thanks to you
because you have answered me
and have become my salvation.(W)
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.(X)
23 This came from the Lord;
it is wondrous in our sight.(Y)
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
let’s rejoice and be glad in it.(Z)

25 Lord, save us!
Lord, please grant us success!(AA)
26 He who comes in the name
of the Lord is blessed.(AB)
From the house of the Lord we bless you.(AC)
27 The Lord is God and has given us light.
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords
to the horns of the altar.(AD)
28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt you.(AE)
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his faithful love endures forever.(AF)

Footnotes

  1. 118:5 Or answered me with freedom
  2. 118:13 Lit You

Psalm 118

A Song of Victory

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

Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”(B)
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.(C)
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
    What can mortals do to me?(D)
The Lord is on my side to help me;
    I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.(E)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in mortals.(F)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in princes.(G)

10 All nations surrounded me;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them off!(H)
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.(I)
14 The Lord is my strength and my might;
    he has become my salvation.(J)

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

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

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

21 I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.(Q)
22 The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the chief cornerstone.(R)
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.(S)
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](T)

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 118.12 Gk: Heb were extinguished
  2. 118.13 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb You pushed me hard
  3. 118.24 Or in him
  4. 118.26 Or Blessed in the name of the Lord is the one who comes
  5. 118.27 Meaning of Heb uncertain