Psalms 116
What Happens in This Chapter
A person thanks God for saving his life. He had been very close to death and was full of fear and sadness. He called out to God for help, and God listened and helped him. Now he promises to keep his word to God in front of everyone at God's house in Jerusalem.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
1I love the LORD. He heard my voice when I begged for help.
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
2He leaned close to listen to me. So I will call to him all my life.
3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
3Death felt like ropes wrapped around me. The grave filled me with fear. I found only trouble and sadness.
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 he does what is right. Our God is full of love for us.
6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
6The LORD keeps safe those who are simple and trusting. I was weak and helpless, and he helped me.
7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
7I told myself, "Be calm again. 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 dried the tears in my eyes. You kept my feet from slipping.
9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
9I will live my life close to the LORD, here among 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 very much."
11I said in my haste, All men are liars.
11I was afraid, and I said, "No one tells the truth!"
The old wording "in my haste" means he spoke while he was scared and upset, not carefully.
12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
12How can I pay the LORD back? He has been so good to me.
13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
13I will lift up the cup that shows he saved me. I will call on the name of the LORD.
14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
14I will do what I promised the LORD. I will do it 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 own people dies.
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. My mother served you too. You untied the ropes that held me.
17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
17I will bring you a thank-you gift. 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 do what I promised the LORD. I will do it 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.
19I will do it in the yards of the LORD's house, right in your middle, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!
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