Psalms 118

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.

1Say thank you to the LORD, because he is good. His love never ends.

2Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

2Let all the people of Israel say it: "His love never ends."

3Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

3Let the priests, the family of Aaron, say it: "His love never ends."

Note"The house of Aaron" means the priests. Aaron was Moses' brother, and priests came from his family.

4Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

4Let everyone who honors the LORD say it: "His love never ends."

5I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

5I was in trouble, so I called out to the LORD. He answered me and set me free.

6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

6The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can any 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, and he helps me. So I will see my enemies beaten.

8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

8It is better to trust the LORD than to trust people.

9It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

9It is better to trust the LORD than to trust princes, the sons of kings.

10All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.

10Whole nations came all around me. But with the LORD's help, I beat them.

11They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.

11They came around me from every side. But with the LORD's help, I beat them.

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. Then they went out fast, like a fire in dry thorns. With the LORD's help, I beat them.

13Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

13You pushed me so hard that I was falling. But the LORD helped me.

14The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

14The LORD makes me strong. He is my song. He saved me.

15The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

15Happy shouts ring out in the tents of good people: "The LORD's strong right hand does brave 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 strong right hand does brave 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 punished me hard to teach me. But he did not let me die.

19Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:

19Open the gates where good people go in. I will walk in and thank the LORD.

20This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

20This is the LORD's gate. Good people go in through it.

21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

21I will thank you, because you answered me. You saved me.

22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

22The builders threw away one stone. Now it holds up the whole corner.

NoteA cornerstone is the most important stone in a building. It holds the corner up and keeps the walls straight.

23This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

23The LORD did this. 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 happy and glad today.

25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

25Please save us, LORD. Please, LORD, make things go well for us.

26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

26God bless the one who comes in the LORD's name. We bless you from the LORD's house.

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 gift for the feast to the altar corners.

NoteThe altar was a big stone table for gifts to God. It had four bumps on the corners shaped like animal horns.

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.

29Say thank you to the LORD, because he is good. His love never ends.