Psalms 115:1--117:2

Psalm 115

115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us!

But to your name bring honor,

for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.

115:2 Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

115:3 Our God is in heaven!

He does whatever he pleases!

115:4 Their idols are made of silver and gold –

they are man-made.

115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see,

115:6 ears, but cannot hear,

noses, but cannot smell,

115:7 hands, but cannot touch,

feet, but cannot walk.

They cannot even clear their throats.

115:8 Those who make them will end up like them,

as will everyone who trusts in them.

115:9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer and protector.

115:10 O family of Aaron, trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer and protector.

115:11 You loyal followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord!

He is their deliverer and protector.

115:12 The Lord takes notice of us, he will bless

he will bless the family of Israel,

he will bless the family of Aaron.

115:13 He will bless his loyal followers,

both young and old.

115:14 May he increase your numbers,

yours and your children’s!

115:15 May you be blessed by the Lord,

the creator of heaven and earth!

115:16 The heavens belong to the Lord,

but the earth he has given to mankind.

115:17 The dead do not praise the Lord,

nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.

115:18 But we will praise the Lord

now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116

116:1 I love the Lord

because he heard my plea for mercy,

116:2 and listened to me.

As long as I live, I will call to him when I need help.

116:3 The ropes of death tightened around me,

the snares of Sheol confronted me.

I was confronted with trouble and sorrow.

116:4 I called on the name of the Lord,

“Please Lord, rescue my life!”

116:5 The Lord is merciful and fair;

our God is compassionate.

116:6 The Lord protects the untrained;

I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.

116:7 Rest once more, my soul,

for the Lord has vindicated you.

116:8 Yes, Lord, you rescued my life from death,

and kept my feet from stumbling.

116:9 I will serve the Lord

in the land of the living.

116:10 I had faith when I said,

“I am severely oppressed.”

116:11 I rashly declared,

“All men are liars.”

116:12 How can I repay the Lord

for all his acts of kindness to me?

116:13 I will celebrate my deliverance,

and call on the name of the Lord.

116:14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

before all his people.

116:15 The Lord values

the lives of his faithful followers.

116:16 Yes, Lord! I am indeed your servant;

I am your lowest slave.

You saved me from death.

116:17 I will present a thank offering to you,

and call on the name of the Lord.

116:18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

before all his people,

116:19 in the courts of the Lord’s temple,

in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117

117:1 Praise the Lord, all you nations!

Applaud him, all you foreigners!

117:2 For his loyal love towers over us,

and the Lord’s faithfulness endures.

Praise the Lord!