PSALM 116

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard

my voice and my supplications.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me;

the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

I suffered distress and anguish.

4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“O Lord, I beseech thee, save my life!”

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling;

9 I walk before the Lord

in the land of the living.

10 I kept my faith, even when I said,

“I am greatly afflicted”;

11 I said in my consternation,

“Men are all a vain hope.”

12 What shall I render to the Lord

for all his bounty to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation

and call on the name of the Lord,

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, I am thy servant;

I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid.

Thou hast loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people,

19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,

in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!