Psalms
Chapter 118
This psalm is a song of thanks sung by someone who was surrounded by enemies and came through alive. It moves from a call for the whole nation to give thanks, to one person's story of being hemmed in and rescued, to a procession arriving at the temple gates. The crowd and the singer trade lines back and forth, and the psalm ends with the same words it began with.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
1Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good. His faithful love lasts forever.
2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
2Let Israel say it now: "His faithful love lasts forever."
3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3Let the family of Aaron, the priests, say it now: "His faithful love lasts forever."
4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4Let everyone who honors the LORD say it now: "His faithful love lasts forever."
5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
5When I was in trouble, I called out to the LORD. He answered me and set me in a wide-open place.
6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
6The LORD is on my side, so I will not be afraid. What can a person do to me?
7The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
7The LORD is on my side. He is my helper. So I will see the people who hate me defeated.
"I shall see my desire upon them that hate me" is old English for watching your enemies lose. It is not a wish to hurt them personally.
8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
8It is better to run to the LORD for safety than to count on people.
9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
9It is better to run to the LORD for safety than to count on rulers.
10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
10Every nation around me closed in on me. But by the LORD's power I cut them down.
11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
11They closed in on me. Yes, they closed in on me from every side. But by the LORD's power I cut them down.
12They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12They swarmed around me like bees. They went out fast, like a fire in dry thorns. By the LORD's power I cut them down.
13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
13You shoved me hard, and I was falling. But the LORD helped me.
14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
14The LORD is my strength and my song. He is the one who saved me.
15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
15Shouts of joy and rescue ring out in the tents of good people: "The LORD's right hand does mighty things!
16The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16The LORD's right hand is lifted high! The LORD's right hand does mighty things!"
17I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
17I will not die. I will live, and I will tell what the LORD has done.
18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
18The LORD corrected me hard. But he did not hand me over to death.
19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
19Open the gates where the right-living come in. I will go in and thank the LORD.
20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
20This is the gate that belongs to the LORD. People who live right will come in through it.
21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
21I thank you, because you answered me. You are the one who saved me.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
22The stone that the builders threw away has become the most important stone in the corner.
The cornerstone was the first and most carefully cut stone in a building. Every other stone was lined up to it, so it held the whole structure straight.
23This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
23The LORD did this, and it is wonderful to see.
24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
24This is the day the LORD has made. We will be full of joy and glad today.
25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
25Please save us now, LORD. Please, LORD, make us do well.
26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
26A blessing on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! From the LORD's house, we bless you.
27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
27The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Tie the festival offering with ropes to the horns of the altar.
The horns of the altar were four raised corners on the stone altar. Animals brought as offerings were led up and tied there.
28Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
28You are my God, and I will thank you. You are my God, and I will lift you high.
29O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
29Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good. His faithful love lasts forever.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it