The LORD is always merciful

1Tell the LORD118.1: 1 Ch 16.34; 2 Ch 5.13; 7.3; Ezra 3.11; Ps 100.5; 106.1; 107.1; 136.1; Jr 33.11.

how thankful you are,

because he is kind

and always merciful.

2Let Israel shout,

“God is always merciful!”

3Let the family of Aaron

the priest shout,

“God is always merciful!”

4Let every true worshipper

of the LORD shout,

“God is always merciful!”

5When I was really suffering,

I prayed to the LORD.

He answered my prayer,

and took my worries away.

6The LORD is on my side,118.6: He 13.6.

and I am not afraid

of what others can do to me.

7With the LORD on my side,

I will defeat all

of my hateful enemies.

8It is better to trust the LORD

for protection

than to trust anyone else,

9including strong leaders.

10Nations surrounded me,

but I got rid of them

by the power of the LORD.

11They attacked from all sides,

but I got rid of them

by the power of the LORD.

12They swarmed around like bees,

but by the power of the LORD,

I got rid of them

and their fiery sting.

13Their attacks were so fierce

that I nearly fell,

but the LORD helped me.

14My power and my strength118.14: Ex 15.2; Is 12.2.

come from the LORD,

and he has saved me.

15From the tents of God's people

come shouts of victory:

“The LORD is powerful!

16With his mighty arm

the LORD wins victories!

The LORD is powerful!”

17And so my life is safe,

and I will live to tell

what the LORD has done.

18He punished me terribly,

but he did not let death

lay its hands on me.

19Open the gates of justice!

I will enter and tell the LORD

how thankful I am.

20Here is the gate of the LORD!

Everyone who does right

may enter this gate.

21I praise the LORD

for answering my prayers

and saving me.

22The stone that the builders118.22: Lk 20.17; Ac 4.11; 1 P 2.7.118.22,23: Mt 21.42; Mk 12.10,11.

tossed aside

has now become

the most important stone.

23The LORD has done this,

and it is amazing to us.

24This day belongs to the LORD!

Let's celebrate

and be glad today.

25We'll ask the LORD to save us!118.25: Mt 21.9; Mk 11.9; Jn 12.13.

We'll sincerely ask the LORD

to let us win.

26God bless the one who comes118.26: Mt 21.9; 23.39; Mk 11.9; Lk 13.35; 19.38; Jn 12.13.

in the name of the LORD!

We praise you from here

in the house of the LORD.

27The LORD is our God,

and he has given us light!

Start the celebration!

March with palm branches

all the way to the altar.118.27 Start…altar: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

28The LORD is my God!

I will praise him and tell him

how thankful I am.

29Tell the LORD

how thankful you are,

because he is kind

and always merciful.