His Love Endures Forever
Study note
The psalm opens with the call: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good — his love endures forever. Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord declare this truth.
1 Thank the LORD, because he is good. His loyal love goes on and on forever. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the people of Israel shout it out: 'His loyal love goes on and on forever.' Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the family of Aaron shout it out: 'His loyal love goes on and on forever.' Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Let everyone who honors the LORD shout it out: 'His loyal love goes on and on forever.' Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
The Lord Is on My Side
Study note
In distress the psalmist called on the Lord and was set free. The Lord is with me so I will not be afraid. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people or princes. All nations surrounded him but he cut them off in the name of the Lord.
5 When trouble squeezed in tight around me, I cried out to the LORD. He answered and gave me wide open space. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD stands right beside me, so I refuse to be afraid. What can people truly do to me? The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD is on my side, fighting for me. I will see victory over everyone who hates me. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 Running to the LORD for safety is far better than counting on people. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 Running to the LORD for safety is far better than counting on powerful leaders. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 Every nation came against me, but by the power of the LORD's name I defeated them all. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11 They closed in on me from every direction, but by the power of the LORD's name I defeated them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They buzzed around me like angry bees and burned hot like a fire in dry thorns. But by the power of the LORD's name I defeated them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 My enemies shoved me so hard I nearly went down, but the LORD caught me. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD gives me my strength and fills me with song. He is the one who saved me. The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The Gates of Righteousness
Study note
Shouts of joy and victory ring out. The Lord's right hand has done mighty things. The psalmist will not die but live and tell what the Lord has done. He asks for the gates of righteousness to be opened.
15 Listen to the happy shouts ringing out from where God's people gather: 'The LORD's mighty hand has won the battle! The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16 The LORD's mighty hand is raised up high! The LORD's mighty hand has won the battle!' The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17 I am not going to die. I am going to live and share everything the LORD has done. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD taught me a hard lesson, but he did not let death take me. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Swing open the gates where the righteous enter! I want to go through them and thank the LORD. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This is the LORD's own gate. Only those who do right may walk through it. This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I thank you, LORD, because you heard me and became my rescuer. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The Stone the Builders Rejected
Study note
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing and it is wonderful. This is the day the Lord has made — let us rejoice and be glad. Save us, Lord! (Hosanna!)
22 The very stone the builders tossed aside has turned out to be the most important stone of all. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 The LORD made this happen, and it takes our breath away. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is a day the LORD has created — let us be full of joy and gladness in it. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Please save us, LORD! Please make our path successful! Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Blessed Is He Who Comes
Study note
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. The Lord is God and he has made his light shine on us. The psalm ends as it began: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good — his love endures forever.
26 Blessings on the one who comes representing the LORD. We bless you from the LORD's own house. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 The LORD is God, and he has filled our lives with light. Tie the festival offering to the corners of the altar. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will pour out my thanks to you. You are my God, and I will honor you above all. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 Thank the LORD, because he is good. His loyal love goes on and on forever. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.