Psalms 118

1 Give thanks [praise, acknowledge] to the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], for He is good [pleasant, beneficial]; His loving devotion [kindness, mercy] endures [lasts, remains] forever [always, eternally]. word study 2 Let Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] say [please declare, proclaim], “His loving devotion [kindness, mercy] endures [lasts, remains] forever [always, to the age, without end].” word study 3 Let the house [dwelling place, family home] of Aaron [the first high priest, brother of Moses] say [please, I pray], “His loving devotion [kindness, mercy, trustworthy love] endures [lasts, remains] forever [always, to the age, for eternity].” word study 4 Let those who [reverently] fear [are afraid, have reverence for] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] say, “His [trustworthy, unchanging] loving devotion [kindness, mercy, pity] endures [lasts, remains] forever [for all eternity, always].” word study 5 In my [deep, utmost] distress [trouble, terror] I called [cried out, prayed] to the LORD [Jah, the sovereign God], and He answered [responded, sang] and set me free [in a large, broad place, from my pain]. word study 6 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is on my side [helping me, with me]; I will not [absolutely not] be afraid [to fear, revere]. What [how, in what way] can man [the human, Adam] do [make, accomplish] to me? word study 7 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is on my side [as my helper and defender]; He is my helper [to aid and assist me]. Therefore I will look [see and gaze upon] in triumph [with confidence and victory] on those who hate [intensely dislike and oppose] me. word study 8 It is better [more desirable, advantageous] to take refuge [seek protection, trust] in the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] than to trust [have confidence, rely] in man [humanity, people, Adam]. word study 9 It is [truly, exceedingly] better to take refuge [to seek protection, to flee for safety] in the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] than to trust [to have confidence, to put faith] in princes [noble rulers, influential leaders]. word study 10 All [every single one, the entirety of] the nations [Gentile, non-Hebrew peoples] surrounded [encircled, turned against] me, but in the name [identity, character, and honor] of the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] I cut them off [destroyed, circumcised, removed them]. word study 11 They surrounded [compassed me about, completely encircled] me on every side, but in the name [identity, honor, and character] of the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] I cut them off [destroy, circumcise, or remove them]. word study 12 They swarmed around me like bees [a community of stinging insects], but they were extinguished [put out, quenched] like burning thorns [a quickly consumed fire]; in the name [identity, honor] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] I cut them off [destroyed, circumcised from being a threat]. word study 13 I was pushed [thrust sorely, violently] so hard I was falling [to fall, failing], but the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] helped [aided, assisted, gave protection] me. word study 14 The LORD [Jah, the self-existent One] is my strength [power, might] and my song [praise, joyful music], and He has become [existed as, come to be] my salvation [deliverance, victory]. word study 15 Shouts [voices of rejoicing] of joy [triumph, celebration] and salvation [deliverance, victory] resound [are heard, echo] in the tents [tabernacles, dwellings] of the righteous [just, upright ones]: “The right hand [the right hand or side; the south] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] performs [does, accomplishes] with valor [might, courage, strength]! word study 16 The right hand [the right hand or side; the south] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel] is exalted [lifted up, elevated]! The right hand of the LORD performs [does, accomplishes] with valor [strength, might, courage]!” word study 17 I will not [never, under no circumstances] die, but I will live [have life, be revived] and proclaim [declare, recount] what the LORD [Jah, the self-existent One] has done [accomplished, brought to pass, deeds]. word study 18 The LORD [Jah, the self-existent One] disciplined [chastened, corrected, or punished] me severely [sorely, very harshly], but He has not [in no way] given me over [handed me over, delivered me] to death [the end of life, eternal separation]. word study 19 Open [to me, for my entrance] to me the gates [of the temple, entrance to God’s presence] of righteousness [justice, moral integrity], that I may enter [go into, come in] and give thanks [praise, express gratitude] to the LORD [Jah, the self-existent God]. word study 20 This [the specific one, that which is in view] is the gate [door, entrance] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]; the righteous [just, upright, having God’s nature] shall enter [come, go, approach] through it [into His presence, the temple]. word study 21 I will give [praise, thanks] You thanks [unto thee], for [because, since] You have answered [heard, responded to] me, and You have become [art, been] my salvation [deliverance, victory]. word study 22 The stone [cornerstone, chief stone] the builders [constructors, architects] rejected [spurned, refused] has become [come to be, been established as] the [head, chief] cornerstone. word study 23 This [wonderful event, marvelous thing] is from [with, near] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], and it is [truly] marvelous [a wonder, amazing] in our eyes [the source of our perception, understanding]. word study 24 This [specific, appointed] is the day [a 24-hour period, a figurative space of time] that the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has made [created, brought into existence]; we will rejoice [expressing strong emotions like joy] and be glad [celebrating with delight] in it [this day, this moment]. word study 25 O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], save [rescue, deliver] us, we pray [please, I beseech thee]. We beseech [plead with, ask earnestly] You, O LORD [the supreme God], cause [make, bring about] us to prosper [succeed, have good success]! word study 26 Blessed [praised, honored] is he who comes [approaches, enters] in the name [identity, character] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]. From the house [dwelling place, temple] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] we bless [praise, honor] you [with gratitude and worship]. word study 27 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is God [the supreme Being,’el]; He has made His light [spiritual illumination, divine guidance] to shine upon us. Bind [tie, prepare] the festal sacrifice [thank offering, celebratory gift] with cords [ropes, chains] to the horns [a horn; a hill or peak] of the altar [place of sacrifice, worship]. word study 28 You [my Lord, my Master] are my God [Elohim, the supreme God], and I will give [offer, express] You thanks [praise, gratitude]. You are my God [the one I worship], and I will exalt [lift up, glorify] You. word study 29 Give thanks [praise, acknowledge] to the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel], for He is good [pleasant, beneficial]; His loving devotion [kindness, mercy] endures [lasts, remains] forever [for all eternity, always]. word study