Thanksgiving for Rescue from Death.

1I love the LORD, because He hears [and continues to hear]

My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs).

2Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

3The cords and sorrows of death encompassed me,

And the terrors of Sheol came upon me;

I found distress and sorrow.

4Then I called on the name of the LORD:

“O LORD, please save my life!”

5Gracious is the LORD, and [consistently] righteous;

Yes, our God is compassionate.

6[a]The LORD protects the simple (childlike);

I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me.

7Return to your rest, O my soul,

For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8For You have rescued my life from death,

My eyes from tears,

And my feet from stumbling and falling.

9I will walk [in submissive wonder] before the LORD

In the land of the living.

10I believed [and clung to my God] when I said,

“I am greatly afflicted.”

11I said in my alarm,

“All men are liars.”

12What will I give to the LORD [in return]

For all His benefits toward me?

[How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?]

13I will lift up the cup of salvation

And call on the name of the LORD.

14I will pay my vows to the LORD,

Yes, in the presence of all His people.

15[b]Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LORD

Is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].

16O LORD, truly I am Your servant;

I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid;

You have unfastened my chains.

17I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,

And will call on the name of the LORD.

18I will pay my vows to the LORD,

Yes, in the presence of all His people,

19In the courts of the LORD’S house (temple)--

In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!)

[a] 6 In Jewish tradition this became a common saying to explain how some people could do ill-advised things and not suffer for them.
[b] 15 The ancient rabbis interpreted this verse to mean that it is hard for God to declare death upon the righteous.