Psalms 118

1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

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

2 Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

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

3 Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

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

4 Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.

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

5 Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.

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

6 Yahweh is on my side. 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 among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at 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 refuge 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 confidence in princes.

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

10 All the nations surrounded me, but 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 indeed 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 are quenched like the burning 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 You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.

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

14 Yah is my strength and song. He has 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 tents of the righteous. “The right hand of Yahweh does 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 Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!”

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

17 I will not die, but live, and declare Yah’s works.

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

18 Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given 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 into them. I will give thanks to Yah.

‘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 will enter into it.

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

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

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

22 The stone which 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 that Yahweh has 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 us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.

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

26 Blessed is he who comes in Yahweh’s name! We have blessed you out of Yahweh’s house.

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, 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 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 loving kindness endures forever.

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