118:1   Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.

118:2   Let Israel shout, "God is always merciful!"

118:3   Let the family of Aaron the priest shout, "God is always merciful!"

118:4   Let every true worshiper of the LORD shout, "God is always merciful!"

118:5   When I was really hurting, I prayed to the LORD. He answered my prayer, and took my worries away.

118:6   The LORD is on my side, and I am not afraid of what others can do to me.

118:7   With the LORD on my side, I will defeat all of my hateful enemies.

118:8   It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else,

118:9   including strong leaders.

118:10   Nations surrounded me, but I got rid of them by the power of the LORD.

118:11   They attacked from all sides, but I got rid of them by the power of the LORD.

118:12   They swarmed around like bees, but by the power of the LORD, I got rid of them and their fiery sting.

118:13   Their attacks were so fierce that I nearly fell, but the LORD helped me.

118:14   My power and my strength come from the LORD, and he has saved me.

118:15   From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful!

118:16   With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!"

118:17   And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.

118:18   He punished me terribly, but he did not let death lay its hands on me.

118:19   Open the gates of justice! I will enter and tell the LORD how thankful I am.

118:20   Here is the gate of the LORD! Everyone who does right may enter this gate.

118:21   I praise the LORD for answering my prayers and saving me.

118:22   The stone that the builders tossed aside has now become the most important stone.

118:23   The LORD has done this, and it is amazing to us.

118:24   This day belongs to the LORD! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

118:25   We'll ask the LORD to save us! We'll sincerely ask the LORD to let us win.

118:26   God bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD! We praise you from here in the house of the LORD.

118:27   The LORD is our God, and he has given us light! Start the celebration! March with palm branches all the way to the altar.

118:28   The LORD is my God! I will praise him and tell him how thankful I am.

118:29   Tell the LORD how thankful you are, because he is kind and always merciful.