Psalms 115; Psalms 116; Psalms 117; Psalms 118

Psalms 115

1 It does not belong to us, Lord. The glory belongs to you because of your love and loyalty.

2 Why do the nations ask, "Where is their God?"

3 Our God is in heaven. He does what he pleases.

4 Their idols are made of silver and gold, the work of human hands.

5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak. They have eyes, but they cannot see.

6 They have ears, but they cannot hear. They have noses, but they cannot smell.

7 They have hands, but they cannot feel. They have feet, but they cannot walk. No sounds come from their throats.

8 People who make idols will be like them, and so will those who trust them.

9 Family of Israel, trust the Lord; he is your helper and your protection.

10 Family of Aaron, trust the Lord; he is your helper and your protection.

11 You who respect the Lord should trust him; he is your helper and your protection.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the family of Israel; he will bless the family of Aaron.

13 The Lord will bless those who respect him, from the smallest to the greatest.

14 May the Lord give you success, and may he give you and your children success.

15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

16 Heaven belongs to the Lord, but he gave the earth to people.

17 Dead people do not praise the Lord; those in the grave are silent.

18 But we will praise the Lord now and forever.

Psalms 116

1 I love the Lord, because he listens to my prayers for help.

2 He paid attention to me, so I will call to him for help as long as I live.

3 The ropes of death bound me, and the fear of the grave took hold of me. I was troubled and sad.

4 Then I called out the name of the Lord. I said, "Please, Lord, save me!"

5 The Lord is kind and does what is right; our God is merciful.

6 The Lord watches over the foolish; when I was helpless, he saved me.

7 I said to myself, "Relax, because the Lord takes care of you."

8 Lord, you saved me from death. You stopped my eyes from crying; you kept me from being defeated.

9 So I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living.

10 I believed, so I said, "I am completely ruined."

11 In my distress I said, "All people are liars."

12 What can I give the Lord for all the good things he has given to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation, and I will pray to the Lord.

14 I will give the Lord what I promised in front of all his people.

15 The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight.

16 Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant and the son of your female servant. You have freed me from my chains.

17 I will give you an offering to show thanks to you, and I will pray to the Lord.

18 I will give the Lord what I promised in front of all his people,

19 in the Temple courtyards in Jerusalem.

Psalms 117

1 All you nations, praise the Lord. All you people, praise him

2 because the Lord loves us very much, and his truth is everlasting.

Psalms 118

1 Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.

2 Let the people of Israel say, "His love continues forever."

3 Let the family of Aaron say, "His love continues forever."

4 Let those who respect the Lord say, "His love continues forever."

5 I was in trouble, so I called to the Lord. The Lord answered me and set me free.

6 I will not be afraid, because the Lord is with me. People can't do anything to me.

7 The Lord is with me to help me, so I will see my enemies defeated.

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

9 It is better to trust the Lord than to trust princes.

10 All the nations surrounded me, but I defeated them in the name of the Lord.

11 They surrounded me on every side, but with the Lord's power I defeated them.

12 They surrounded me like a swarm of bees, but they died as quickly as thorns burn. By the Lord's power, I defeated them.

13 They chased me until I was almost defeated, but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord gives me strength and a song. He has saved me.

15 Shouts of joy and victory come from the tents of those who do right: "The Lord has done powerful things."

16 The power of the Lord has won the victory; with his power the Lord has done mighty things.

17 I will not die, but live, and I will tell what the Lord has done.

18 The Lord has taught me a hard lesson, but he did not let me die.

19 Open for me the Temple gates. Then I will come in and thank the Lord.

20 This is the Lord's gate; only those who are good may enter through it.

21 Lord, I thank you for answering me. You have saved me.

22 The stone that the builders rejected became the cornerstone.

23 The Lord did this, and it is wonderful to us.

24 This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today!

25 Please, Lord, save us; please, Lord, give us success.

26 God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless all of you from the Temple of the Lord.

27 The Lord is God, and he has shown kindness to us. With branches in your hands, join the feast. Come to the corners of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will praise your greatness.

29 Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.