[1] I love the Eternal; for not only does He hear my voice, my pleas for mercy, [2] But He leaned down when I was in trouble and brought His ear close to me. So as long as I have breath, I will call on Him. [3] Once I was wound in the wrappings of death; the terror of dying and the grave had a grip on me; I could not get away, for I was entombed in distress and sorrow. [4] Then I called on the name of the Eternal: "O Eternal One-I am begging You-save me!" [5] The Eternal is full of grace and naturally just; our God is compassionate and merciful. [6] And the Eternal watches over the naive. Whenever I was knocked down, He reached down and saved me. [7] O my soul! Return and relax. Come to your true rest, for the Eternal has showered you with His favor. [8] God, You alone rescued my soul from the grips of death, my eyes from weeping, and my feet from slipping. [9] I will come before the Eternal as long as I journey in the land of the living. [10] I believed Your promise; therefore I spoke, "I am in deep trouble." [11] In my confusion I blurted out, "All people are liars!" [12] How will I pay back the Eternal for all His graciousness toward me? [13] I will raise the cup of deliverance and call out the name of the Eternal. [14] I will fulfill the promises I made to Him here as a witness to all His people. [15] Precious in the eyes of the Eternal are the deaths of those who follow after Him. [16] O Eternal One, You know I am Your servant. I am Your servant, a child of Your maidservant, devoted to You; You have cut me loose from the chains of death that bind me. [17] And I come, eager to offer a sacrifice of gratitude and call on the name of the Eternal. [18] I will fulfill the promises I made to Him here as a witness to all His people [19] In the courts of the Eternal's temple, among the people of God's city, O Jerusalem. Praise the Eternal!
