Psalm 114

The Earth Trembles at God’s Presence

1When the Israelites escaped from Egypt—

when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—

2the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary,

and Israel became his kingdom.

3The Red Sea*114:3 Hebrew the sea; also in 114:5. saw them coming and hurried out of their way!

The water of the Jordan River turned away.

4The mountains skipped like rams,

the hills like lambs!

5What’s wrong, Red Sea, that made you hurry out of their way?

What happened, Jordan River, that you turned away?

6Why, mountains, did you skip like rams?

Why, hills, like lambs?

7Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,

at the presence of the God of Jacob.

8He turned the rock into a pool of water;

yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.

Psalm 115

Blessings on Those Who Trust the Lord

1Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

but to your name goes all the glory

for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

2Why let the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

3Our God is in the heavens,

and he does as he wishes.

4Their idols are merely things of silver and gold,

shaped by human hands.

5They have mouths but cannot speak,

and eyes but cannot see.

6They have ears but cannot hear,

and noses but cannot smell.

7They have hands but cannot feel,

and feet but cannot walk,

and throats but cannot make a sound.

8And those who make idols are just like them,

as are all who trust in them.

9O Israel, trust the Lord!

He is your helper and your shield.

10O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!

He is your helper and your shield.

11All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!

He is your helper and your shield.

12The Lord remembers us and will bless us.

He will bless the people of Israel

and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.

13He will bless those who fear the Lord,

both great and lowly.

14May the Lord richly bless

both you and your children.

15May you be blessed by the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

16The heavens belong to the Lord,

but he has given the earth to all humanity.

17The dead cannot sing praises to the Lord,

for they have gone into the silence of the grave.

18But we can praise the Lord

both now and forever!

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116

A Testimony of One Saved from Death

1I love the Lord because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

2Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!

3Death wrapped its ropes around me;

the terrors of the grave*116:3 Hebrew of Sheol. overtook me.

I saw only trouble and sorrow.

4Then I called on the name of the Lord:

“Please, Lord, save me!”

5How kind the Lord is! How good he is!

So merciful, this God of ours!

6The Lord protects those of childlike faith;

I was facing death, and he saved me.

7Let my soul be at rest again,

for the Lord has been good to me.

8He has saved me from death,

my eyes from tears,

my feet from stumbling.

9And so I walk in the Lord’s presence

as I live here on earth!

10I believed in you, so I said,

“I am deeply troubled, Lord.”

11In my anxiety I cried out to you,

“These people are all liars!”

12What can I offer the Lord

for all he has done for me?

13I will lift up the cup of salvation

and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.

14I will keep my promises to the Lord

in the presence of all his people.

15The Lord cares deeply

when his loved ones die.

16O Lord, I am your servant;

yes, I am your servant, born into your household;

you have freed me from my chains.

17I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving

and call on the name of the Lord.

18I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

in the presence of all his people—

19in the house of the Lord

in the heart of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 117

Praise the Lord, All You Nations

1Praise the Lord, all you nations.

Praise him, all you people of the earth.

2For his unfailing love for us is powerful;

the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Waw

41Lord, give me your unfailing love,

the salvation that you promised me.

42Then I can answer those who taunt me,

for I trust in your word.

43Do not snatch your word of truth from me,

for your regulations are my only hope.

44I will keep on obeying your instructions

forever and ever.

45I will walk in freedom,

for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

46I will speak to kings about your laws,

and I will not be ashamed.

47How I delight in your commands!

How I love them!

48I honor and love your commands.

I meditate on your decrees.