Psalms 118

My Savior when I needed saving

There’s always mercy

1The LORD[1] is good to us.
Thank him for it.
He will never run out of mercy.
2Let everyone in Israel say it together:
“He will never run out of mercy.”
3Let worship leaders descended from Aaron say it:
“He will never run out of mercy.”
4Let everyone who respects the LORD say it:
“He will never run out of mercy.”

I was in trouble

5When I was troubled and trapped
I asked the LORD for help.
The LORD answered me
And freed me from my troubles.
6The LORD is on my side.
Why should I care who’s on the other side?
7The LORD is on the side of me and my friends.
As for those who hate me, they’re good for a laugh.[2]
8It’s better to count on the LORD for help
Than to trust human beings.
9It’s better to trust the LORD
Than to trust the noblest leaders on earth.

I was surrounded

10I’ve been surrounded by hostile nations.
But I’m calling the LORD by name
And I’m going to drive them off.
No doubt about it.
11They surrounded me, alright.
But I’m calling the LORD by name.
And I’m going to drive them off.
Most certainly.
12They swarmed me like bees.
But they burned out faster
Than a bush in a fire.
With the LORD’s help,
I’m certainly going to get rid of them.
13You pushed me and knocked me over
But the LORD helped me.
14The LORD gives me everything in life
From my strength to my songs.
And when I need saving, he’s my savior.
15Listen to good people
Shouting for joy in their tents.
The LORD’s power won the day.
16The LORD’s power won.
The LORD’s power won big.

I won’t die, but live

17I won’t die. I’ll live
To talk about what the LORD did.
18The LORD gave me a hard punishment.
But he didn’t kill me.
19Open the Temple gates and let me in.
I’m coming in to thank the LORD.
20These are the gates that lead to the LORD.
Good people pass through them.
21I’m thanking you for answering me
And for being my savior when I needed saving.
22The stone the builders rejected as worthless scrap,
Becomes the most important block in the building.
23The LORD did this.
And we think it’s wonderful.
24The LORD made this day.
Let’s be happy about the day
And celebrate it.
25LORD, please keep us safe.
LORD, please give us success in all we do.

Here comes the God-approved one

26Here comes the one God approved.[3]
Here at the Temple, we give you our blessing, too.
27The LORD is God.
He gave us spiritual light.
Go ahead and tie the festival sacrifice
To the four corners of the altar.
28I’m glad you’re my God.
I want you to know how grateful I am.
29The LORD is good to us.
Thank him for it.
He will never run out of mercy.