Psalm 118

1    O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  

his mercy endures for ever.

2    Let Israel now proclaim,  

‘His mercy endures for ever.’

3    Let the house of Aaron now proclaim,  

‘His mercy endures for ever.’

4    Let those who fear the Lord proclaim,  

‘His mercy endures for ever.’

5    In my constraint I called to the Lord;  

the Lord answered and set me free.

6    The Lord is at my side; I will not fear;  

what can flesh do to me?

7    With the Lord at my side as my saviour,  

I shall see the downfall of my enemies.

8    It is better to take refuge in the Lord  

than to put any confidence in flesh.

   It is better to take refuge in the Lord  

than to put any confidence in princes.

10  All the nations encompassed me,  

but by the name of the Lord I drove them back.

11  They hemmed me in, they hemmed me in on every side,  

but by the name of the Lord I drove them back.

12  They swarmed about me like bees;

    they blazed like fire among thorns,  

but by the name of the Lord I drove them back.

13  Surely, I was thrust to the brink,  

but the Lord came to my help.

14  The Lord is my strength and my song,  

and he has become my salvation.

15  Joyful shouts of salvation  

sound from the tents of the righteous:

16  ‘The right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds;

    the right hand of the Lord raises up;  

the right hand of the Lord does mighty deeds.’

17  I shall not die, but live  

and declare the works of the Lord.

18  The Lord has punished me sorely,  

but he has not given me over to death.

19  Open to me the gates of righteousness,  

that I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.

20  This is the gate of the Lord;  

the righteous shall enter through it.

21  I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me  

and have become my salvation.

22  The stone which the builders rejected  

has become the chief cornerstone.

23  This is the Lord’s doing,  

and it is marvellous in our eyes.

24  This is the day that the Lord has made;  

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25    Come, O Lord, and save us we pray.  

Come, Lord, send us now prosperity.

26  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;  

we bless you from the house of the Lord.

27  The Lord is God; he has given us light;  

link the pilgrims with cords

    right to the horns of the altar.

28  You are my God and I will thank you;  

you are my God and I will exalt you.

29  O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;  

his mercy endures for ever.

 

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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