~ PSALM 116 ~

Psalm 116

I love God because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
as I laid out my case before Him.

Death stared me in the face,
hell was hard on my heels.'

Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn;
then I called out to God for help:
"Please, God!" I cried out.
"Save my life!"

God is gracious—it is He who makes things right,
our most compassionate God.

God takes the side of the helpless;
when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

I said to myself, "Relax and rest.
God has showered you with blessings.
Soul, you've been rescued from death;
Eye, you've been rescued from tears;
And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."

I'm striding in the presence of God,
alive in the land of the living!

I stayed faithful, though bedeviled,
and despite a ton of bad luck,
Despite giving up on the human race,
saying, "They're all liars and cheats."

What can I give back to God
for the blessings he's poured out on me?

I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!
I'll pray in the name of God;
I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it together with his people.

When they arrive at the gates of death,
God welcomes those who love him.

Oh, God, here I am, your servant,
your faithful servant: set me free for your service!

I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice
and pray in the name of God.

I'll complete what I promised God I'd do,
and I'll do it in company with his people,
In the place of worship, in God's house,
in Jerusalem, God's city.

Hallelujah!