Psalms 118

1 O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

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

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

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

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

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

4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

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

5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

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

6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

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

7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

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 put confidence in man.

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

9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence 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 will I destroy them.

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

11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.

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

12 They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy 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 Thou hast thrust sore at me 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 song, and is become my salvation.

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

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

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 is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

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

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

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

18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto 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 I will praise the Lord:

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

20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.

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

21 I will praise thee: for 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 refused is become the head stone of the corner.

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

23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

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

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

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

25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

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

26 Blessed be he that cometh 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, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto 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 praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

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

29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

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