Psalms 118

1 Alleluia. Give thanks to the Lord; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endures] for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness, his kindness endures forever.

2 Let now the house of Israel say, that [he is] good: for his mercy [endures] for ever.

Let the house of Israel now say: his kindness endures forever.

3 Let now the house of Aaron say, that [he is] good: for his mercy [endures] for ever.

Let the house of Aaron now say: his kindness endures forever.

4 Let now all that fear the Lord say, that [he is] good: for his mercy [endures] for ever.

Let those who fear the Lord now say: his kindness endures forever.

5 I called on the Lord out of affliction: and he hearkened to me, [so as to bring me] into a wide place.

Out of straits I called on the Lord, the Lord answered and gave me room.

6 The Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do to me.

The Lord is mine; I am fearless. What can mere people do to me?

7 The Lord is my helper; and I shall see [my desire] upon mine enemies.

The Lord is mine, as my help: I shall feast my eyes on my foes.

8 [It is] better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.

It is better to hide in the Lord than to trust in mortals.

9 [It is] better to hope in the Lord, than to hope in princes.

It is better to hide in the Lord than to put any trust in princes.

10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

Everywhere heathen swarmed round me; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

11 They completely compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

They swarmed, swarmed around me; in the name of the Lord I cut them down,

12 They compassed me about as bees [do] a honeycomb, and they burst into flame as fire among thorns: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.

they swarmed around me like bees, they blazed like a fire of thorns: in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

13 I was thrust, and sorely shaken, that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.

Sore they pushed me, to make me fall; but the Lord gave me his help.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he is become my salvation.

15 The voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord has wrought mightily.

Hark! In the tents of the righteous glad cries of victory are ringing. The hand of the Lord has wrought bravely,

16 The right hand of the Lord has exalted me: the right hand of the Lord has wrought powerfully.

the hand of the Lord is exalted, the hand of the Lord has wrought bravely.

17 I shall not die, but live, and recount the works of the Lord.

I shall not die: nay, I shall live, to declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has chastened me sore: but he has not given me up to death.

Though the Lord has chastened me sore, he has not given me over to death. (The Procession arrives at the Temple)

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.

‘Open to me the gates of victory. I would enter therein and give thanks to the Lord.’ (The Welcome)

20 This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter by it.

‘This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous may enter therein;’

21 I will give thanks to thee; because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

I thank you because you have heard me, and are become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.

The stone which the builders despised is become the head-stone of the corner.

23 This has been done of the Lord; and it is wonderful in our eyes.

This has been wrought by the Lord; it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the Lord has made: let us exult and rejoice in it.

This day is the Lord’s own creation: in it let us joy and be glad.

25 O Lord, save now: O Lord, send now prosperity.

O Lord, save us, we pray, O Lord, prosper, we pray.

26 Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.

Blessed the one who enters in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.

27 God is the Lord, and he has shined upon us: celebrate the feast with thick [branches, binding the victims] even to the horns of the altar.

The Lord is God, he has given us light. Wreathe the dance with boughs, till they touch the horns of the altar.

28 Thou art my God, and I will give thee thanks: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will give thanks to thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

You are my God, I will thank you; O my God, I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy [endures] for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord for his goodness: his kindness endures forever.