1 PSALM 116 Thanksgiving for Rescue from Death. I love the L, because He hears [and continues to hear]My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs).
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.
3 The cordsandsorrows of death encompassed me,And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;I found distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the L:“O L, please save my life!”
5 Gracious is the L, and [consistently] righteous;Yes, our God is compassionate.
6 In Jewish tradition this became a common saying to explain how some people could do ill-advised things and not suffer for them.The Lprotects the simple (childlike);I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.
7 Return to your rest, O my soul,For the Lhas dealt bountifully with you.
8 For You have rescued my life from death,My eyes from tears,And my feet from stumblingandfalling.
9 I will walk [in submissive wonder] before the LIn the land of the living.
10 I believed [and clung to my God] when I said,“I am greatly afflicted.”
11 I said in my alarm,“All men are liars.”
12 What will I give to the L[in return]For all His benefits toward me?[How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?]
13 I will lift up the cup of salvationAnd call on the name of the L.
14 I will pay my vows to the L,Yes, in the presence of all His people.
15 The ancient rabbis interpreted this verse to mean that it is hard for God to declare death upon the righteous.Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LIs the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].
16 O L, truly I am Your servant;I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid;You have unfastened my chains.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,And will call on the name of the L.
18 I will pay my vows to the L,Yes, in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the L’house (temple)—In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.Praise the L! (Hallelujah!)