Psalm 116

1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

2 Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!

3 Death wrapped its ropes around me;

the terrors of the grave* overtook me.

I saw only trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“Please, Lord, save me!”

5 How kind the Lord is! How good he is!

So merciful, this God of ours!

6 The Lord protects those of childlike faith;

I was facing death, and he saved me.

7 Let my soul be at rest again,

for the Lord has been good to me.

8 He has saved me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling.

9 And so I walk in the Lord’s presence

as I live here on earth!

10 I believed in you, so I said,

“I am deeply troubled, Lord.”

11 In my anxiety I cried out to you,

“These people are all liars!”

12 What can I offer the Lord

for all he has done for me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.

14 I will keep my promises to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15 The Lord cares deeply

when his loved ones die.

16 O Lord, I am your servant;

yes, I am your servant, born into your household;

you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people—

19 in the house of the Lord

in the heart of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!