Palm 116

I love the Lord because he hears
and answers my prayers.
Because he bends down and listens,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
Death had its hands around my throat;
the terrors of the grave overtook me.
I saw only trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
"Please, Lord, save me!"
How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours!
The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and then he saved me.
Now I can rest again,
for the Lord has been so good to me.
He has saved me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord's presence
as I live here on earth!
I believed in you, so I prayed,
"I am deeply troubled, Lord."
In my anxiety I cried out to you,
"These people are all liars!"
What can I offer the Lord
for all he has done for me?
I will lift up a cup symbolizing his salvation;
I will praise the Lord's name for saving me.
I will keep my promises to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
The Lord's loved ones are precious to him;
it grieves him when they die.
O Lord, I am you servant;
yes, I am your servant, the son of your handmaid,
and you have freed me from my bonds!
I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will keep my promises to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the house of the Lord,
in the heart of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!