Psalm 116

Thanks to God for Deliverance

I love the Lord because he has heard
my appeal for mercy.(A)
Because he has turned his ear to me,
I will call out to him as long as I live.(B)

The ropes of death were wrapped around me,
and the torments of Sheol overcame me;
I encountered trouble and sorrow.(C)
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
Lord, save me!” (D)

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
our God is compassionate.(E)
The Lord guards the inexperienced;
I was helpless, and he saved me.(F)
Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.(G)
For you, Lord, rescued me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.(H)
I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.(I)
10 I believed, even when I said,
“I am severely oppressed.”(J)
11 In my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”(K)

12 How can I repay the Lord
for all the good he has done for me?(L)
13 I will take the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.(M)
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.(N)

15 The death of his faithful ones
is valuable in the Lord’s sight.(O)
16 Lord, I am indeed your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your female servant.
You have loosened my bonds.(P)

17 I will offer you a thanksgiving sacrifice
and call on the name of the Lord.(Q)
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,(R)
19 in the courts of the Lord’s house—
within you, Jerusalem.(S)
Hallelujah!

God, My Deliverer

116 I love the Lord
    because he has heard my prayer for mercy;[a]
for he listens to me whenever I call.
The ropes of death were wound around me
    and the anguish of Sheol[b] came upon me;
        I encountered distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord,
    Lord, please deliver me!”[c]

The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is compassionate;
the Lord watches over the innocent;[d]
    I was brought low, and he delivered me.
Return to your resting place, my soul,
    for the Lord treated you generously.
Indeed, you delivered my soul from death,
    my eyes from crying,[e]
        and my feet from stumbling.

I will walk in the Lord’s presence
    in the lands of the living.
10 I will continue to believe, even when I say,
    “I am greatly afflicted”
11 and speak hastily,
    “All people are liars!”

12 What will I return to the Lord
    for all his benefits to me?
13 I will raise my cup of deliverance
    and invoke the Lord’s name.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

15 In the sight of the Lord,
    the death of his faithful ones is valued.

16 Lord, I am indeed your servant.
    I am your servant.
I am the son of your handmaid.
    You have released my bonds.
17 I will bring you a thanksgiving offering
    and call on the name of the Lord!
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the Lord’s house,
    in your midst, Jerusalem.

Hallelujah!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 116:1 Lit. the voice of my supplication
  2. Psalm 116:3 I.e. the realm of the dead
  3. Psalm 116:4 Lit. deliver my soul
  4. Psalm 116:6 Or naive
  5. Psalm 116:8 Lit. tears