Psalms
Chapter 116
A person thanks God for saving his life. He was close to death and full of fear, so he called out for help, and God heard him. Now he promises to keep the vows he made and to bring a thank offering at the temple in Jerusalem, in front of everyone.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
1I love the LORD, because he heard my voice when I begged him for help.
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
2He bent down close and listened to me. So I will call on him for as long as I live.
3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
3Death wrapped its ropes around me. The fear of the grave took hold of me. All I found was trouble and sadness.
The KJV says "the pains of hell." The Hebrew word is Sheol, the place of the dead, so this is about dying, not about punishment after death.
4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
4Then I called out to the LORD. I said, "LORD, please, save my life!"
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
5The LORD is kind and does what is right. Our God is full of mercy.
6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
6The LORD watches over people who are simple and trusting. I was helpless, and he helped me.
7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
7Go back to your rest, my soul. The LORD has been very good to you.
8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
8You saved my life from death. You wiped the tears from my eyes. You kept my feet from slipping.
9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
9I will walk in front of the LORD in the land of the living.
10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
10I trusted God, and so I spoke up. I said, "I am hurting badly."
11I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11In my panic I said, "No one can be trusted."
12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
12What can I give back to the LORD for all the good he has done for me?
13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
13I will lift up the cup that stands for his saving help, and I will call on the name of the LORD.
The "cup of salvation" was a real cup of wine poured out or lifted up at the temple as part of a thank offering.
14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
14I will keep every promise I made to the LORD, in front of all his people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
15The LORD cares deeply when one of his faithful people dies.
"Precious" here does not mean God wants his people to die. It means their deaths matter to him and are not something he treats lightly.
16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
16LORD, I really am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You untied the ropes that held me.
"Handmaid" means a female servant. Saying he is the son of one is a way of saying his whole family belongs to God.
17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
17I will bring you an offering to say thank you, and I will call on the name of the LORD.
18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
18I will keep every promise I made to the LORD, in front of all his people,
19In the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
19in the courtyards of the LORD's house, right in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it