October 4 – Psalms 115 and 116 from the Old Testament
Psalms 115 and 116 – Psalm 115
115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us!
But to your name bring honor,
for the sake of your loyal love and faithfulness.
115:2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
115:3 Our God is in heaven!
He does whatever he pleases!
115:4 Their idols are made of silver and gold –
they are man-made.
115:5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see,
115:6 ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell,
115:7 hands, but cannot touch,
feet, but cannot walk.
They cannot even clear their throats.
115:8 Those who make them will end up like them,
as will everyone who trusts in them.
115:9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their deliverer and protector.
115:10 O family of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their deliverer and protector.
115:11 You loyal followers of the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their deliverer and protector.
115:12 The Lord takes notice of us, he will bless –
he will bless the family of Israel,
he will bless the family of Aaron.
115:13 He will bless his loyal followers,
both young and old.
115:14 May he increase your numbers,
yours and your children’s!
115:15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the creator of heaven and earth!
115:16 The heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
115:17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death.
115:18 But we will praise the Lord
now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 116
116:1 I love the Lord
because he heard my plea for mercy,
116:2 and listened to me.
As long as I live, I will call to him when I need help.
116:3 The ropes of death tightened around me,
the snares of Sheol confronted me.
I was confronted with trouble and sorrow.
116:4 I called on the name of the Lord,
“Please Lord, rescue my life!”
116:5 The Lord is merciful and fair;
our God is compassionate.
116:6 The Lord protects the untrained;
I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.
116:7 Rest once more, my soul,
for the Lord has vindicated you.
116:8 Yes, Lord, you rescued my life from death,
and kept my feet from stumbling.
116:9 I will serve the Lord
in the land of the living.
116:10 I had faith when I said,
“I am severely oppressed.”
116:11 I rashly declared,
“All men are liars.”
116:12 How can I repay the Lord
for all his acts of kindness to me?
116:13 I will celebrate my deliverance,
and call on the name of the Lord.
116:14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
before all his people.
116:15 The Lord values
the lives of his faithful followers.
116:16 Yes, Lord! I am indeed your servant;
I am your lowest slave.
You saved me from death.
116:17 I will present a thank offering to you,
and call on the name of the Lord.
116:18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
before all his people,
116:19 in the courts of the Lord’s temple,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
