The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 Thank God because he's good, because his love never quits.
1
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Tell the world, Israel, "His love never quits."
2
Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
3 And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, "His love never quits."
3
Let the house of Aaron say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
4 And you who fear God, join in, "His love never quits."
4
Let those who fear the LORD say, "His steadfast love endures forever."
5 Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered.
5
Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?
6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 God's my strong champion; I flick off my enemies like flies.
7
The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in people;
8
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities.
9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
10 Hemmed in by barbarians, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
10
All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
11 Hemmed in and with no way out, in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;
11
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
12 Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in; in God's name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.
12
They surrounded me like bees; they went out like a fire among thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
13 I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me.
13
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me.
14 God's my strength, he's also my song, and now he's my salvation.
14
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
15 Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? "The hand of God has turned the tide!
15
Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
16 The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!"
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the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
17 I didn't die. I lived! And now I'm telling the world what God did.
17
I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
18 God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn't hand me over to Death.
18
The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19 Swing wide the city gates - the righteous gates! I'll walk right through and thank God!
19
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.
20
This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
21 Thank you for responding to me; you've truly become my salvation!
21
I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
22 The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone!
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The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
23 This is God's work. We rub our eyes - we can hardly believe it!
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This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the very day God acted - let's celebrate and be festive!
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This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God - a free and full life!
25
Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
26 Blessed are you who enter in God's name - from God's house we bless you!
26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD.
27 God is God, he has bathed us in light. Festoon the shrine with garlands, hang colored banners above the altar!
27
The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!
28 You're my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise.
28
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Thank God - he's so good. His love never quits!
29
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.