Psalms 116
The psalmist declares his love for the LORD who heard his cry when the cords of death entangled him and delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from stumbling. He asks what he can render to the LORD for all His benefits, and answers by lifting the cup of salvation and paying his vows in the presence of all God's people.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. | I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. |
| 2 | Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. | Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. |
| 3 | The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. | The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of hell came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. |
| 4 | Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. | Then I called on the name of the LORD: "LORD, save me!" |
| 5 | Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. | The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. |
| 6 | The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. | The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me. |
| 7 | Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. | Return to Your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to You. |
| 8 | For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. | For You, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, |
| 9 | I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. | that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. |
| 10 | I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: | I trusted in the LORD when I said, "I am greatly afflicted"; |
| 11 | I said in my haste, All men are liars. | in my alarm I said, "Everyone is a liar." |
| 12 | What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? | What shall I return to the LORD for all His goodness to me? |
| 13 | I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. | I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. |
| 14 | I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. | I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. |
| 15 | Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. | Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants. |
| 16 | O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. | Truly I am Your servant, LORD; I serve You just as my mother did; You have freed me from my chains. |
| 17 | I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. | I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the name of the LORD. |
| 18 | I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, | 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 the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. | in the courts of the house of the LORD — in Your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. |