116
Thanksgiving for Rescue from Death.
I love the Loʀᴅ, because He hears [and continues to hear]
My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs).
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords and sorrows of death encompassed me,
And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;
I found distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Loʀᴅ:
“O Loʀᴅ, please save my life!”
 
Gracious is the Loʀᴅ, and [consistently] righteous;
Yes, our God is compassionate.
*The Loʀᴅ protects the simple (childlike);
I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.
Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Loʀᴅ has dealt bountifully with you. [Matt 11:29]
For You have rescued my life from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from stumbling and falling.
I will walk [in submissive wonder] before the Loʀᴅ
In the land of the living.
10 I believed [and clung to my God] when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted.” [2 Cor 4:13]
11 I said in my alarm,
“All men are liars.”
 
12 What will I give to the Loʀᴅ [in return]
For all His benefits toward me?
[How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?]
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
And call on the name of the Loʀᴅ.
14 I will pay my vows to the Loʀᴅ,
Yes, in the presence of all His people.
15  Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the Loʀᴅ
Is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].
16 O Loʀᴅ, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid;
You have unfastened my chains.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call on the name of the Loʀᴅ.
18 I will pay my vows to the Loʀᴅ,
Yes, in the presence of all His people,
19 In the courts of the Loʀᴅ’s house (temple)—
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Loʀᴅ! (Hallelujah!)
* 116:6 In Jewish tradition this became a common saying to explain how some people could do ill-advised things and not suffer for them. 116:15 The ancient rabbis interpreted this verse to mean that it is hard for God to declare death upon the righteous.