< Psalms 116 >

1 I love Yahweh, because he hears me when I cry for him to help me. 2 He listens to me, so I will call out to him all during my life. 3 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 [But] then I called out to Yahweh, saying, “Yahweh, I plead with you to save/rescue me!” 5 Yahweh is kind and does what is right; he is our God, and he acts mercifully [to us]. 6 He protects those who (are helpless/cannot defend themselves); and when I thought that I would die, he saved me. 7 I must encourage/tell myself to (have inner peace/not worry any more), because Yahweh has done very good things for me. 8 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 [So here] on the earth, where people are still alive, I live knowing that Yahweh is [directing] me. 10 I continued to believe/trust [in Yahweh], even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted/troubled.” 11 [Even] when I was distressed/worried and said, “I cannot trust anyone,” [I continued to trust in Yahweh]. 12 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 offer to him a cup [of wine] to thank him for saving/rescuing me. 14 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 Yahweh is very grieved/sad when one of his people dies. 16 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 [So] I will offer to him a sacrifice to thank him, and I will pray to him. 18 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!

< Psalms 116 >