Psalm 116

1    I love the Lord,

    for he has heard the voice of my supplication;  

because he inclined his ear to me

    on the day I called to him.

2    The snares of death encompassed me;

    the pains of hell took hold of me;  

by grief and sorrow was I held.

3    Then I called upon the name of the Lord:  

‘O Lord, I beg you, deliver my soul.’

4    Gracious is the Lord and righteous;  

our God is full of compassion.

5    The Lord watches over the simple;  

I was brought very low and he saved me.

6    Turn again to your rest, O my soul,  

for the Lord has been gracious to you.

7    For you have delivered my soul from death,  

my eyes from tears and my feet from falling.

8    I will walk before the Lord  

in the land of the living.

9    I believed that I should perish

    for I was sorely troubled;  

and I said in my alarm,

    ‘Everyone is a liar.’

10  How shall I repay the Lord  

for all the benefits he has given to me?

11  I will lift up the cup of salvation  

and call upon the name of the Lord.

12  I will fulfil my vows to the Lord  

in the presence of all his people.

13  Precious in the sight of the Lord  

is the death of his faithful servants.

14  O Lord, I am your servant,  

your servant, the child of your handmaid;

    you have freed me from my bonds.

15    I will offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving  

and call upon the name of the Lord.

16  I will fulfil my vows to the Lord  

in the presence of all his people,

17  In the courts of the house of the Lord,  

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

    Alleluia.

 

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.

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