^1. Psalm 116

^1. I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.

^2. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

^3. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave [1] came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

^4. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"

^5. The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

^6. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

^7. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

^8. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

^9. that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

^10. I believed; therefore [2] I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

^11. And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."

^12. How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?

^13. I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

^14. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

^15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

^16. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant [3] ; you have freed me from my chains.

^17. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.

^18. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

^19. in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD. [4]