Psalms 116

1 I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me.

2 Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life.

3 The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow. (Sheol h7585)

Everything around me [MET] caused me to think that I would die; I was very afraid that I would [die and go to] the place where dead people are. I was very distressed/worried and afraid. (Sheol h7585)

4 Then I called on Yahweh’s name: “Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul.”

[But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!”

5 Yahweh is gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us].

6 Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.

He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.

I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

Yahweh has saved me [SYN] from dying, and has kept/protected me from [troubles that would cause me to] cry. He has kept/protected me from stumbling.

9 I will walk before Yahweh in the land of the living.

[So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me.

10 I believed, therefore I said, “I was greatly afflicted.”

I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.”

11 I said in my haste, “All people are liars.”

[Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh].

12 What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?

So now [I will tell you] [RHQ] what I will offer to Yahweh, because of all the good things that he has done for me.

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call on Yahweh’s name.

I will offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me.

14 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.

When I am together with many [HYP] people who belong to Yahweh, I will give to him the offerings that I solemnly promised to give to him.

15 Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.

Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies.

16 Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.

I am one of those who serve Yahweh; I serve him like my mother did. He has freed/saved me from dying (OR, from being fastened by chains).

17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on Yahweh’s name.

[So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him.

18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,

When I am together with many of [HYP] the people who belong to Yahweh, [in the courtyard] outside his temple in Jerusalem, I will give to him the offerings that I solemnly promised to give to him. Praise Yahweh!

19 in the courts of Yahweh’s house, in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise Yah!