Psalms 118

1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.

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

2 Let Israel say, “His covenant faithfulness endures forever.”

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

3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His covenant faithfulness endures forever.”

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

4 Let the loyal followers of Yahweh say, “His covenant faithfulness endures for ever.”

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

5 In my distress I called out to Yahweh; Yahweh answered me and set me free.

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

6 Yahweh is with me; I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?

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

7 Yahweh is on my side as my helper; I will look in triumph on those who hate me.

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

8 It is better to take shelter in Yahweh than to put confidence in man.

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

9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to put one's trust in a princes.

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

10 All the nations surrounded me; in Yahweh's name I cut them off.

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

11 They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me; in Yahweh's name I cut them off.

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

12 They surrounded me like bees; they disappeared as quickly as fire among thorns; in Yahweh's name I cut them off.

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

13 They attacked me to knock me down, but Yahweh helped me.

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

14 Yahweh is my strength and joy, and he is the one who rescues me.

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

15 The joyful shout of victory is heard in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of Yahweh conquers.

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 Yahweh is exalted; the right hand of Yahweh conquers.

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

17 I will not die, but live and declare the deeds of Yahweh.

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

18 Yahweh has punished me harshly; but he has not handed me over 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 enter them and I will give thanks to Yahweh.

‘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 Yahweh; the righteous enter through it.

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

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me, and you have become my salvation.

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

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

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

23 This is Yahweh's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

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

24 This is the day on which Yahweh has acted; 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 Please, Yahweh, give us victory! Please, Yahweh, give us success!

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

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh; we bless you from the house of Yahweh.

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

27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords 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 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will exalt you.

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

29 Oh, give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good; for his covenant faithfulness endures forever.

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