Continuing my translation of Psalms 97-150
PSALM 118
Give thanks to Yahweh for she is good
Her lovingkindness lasts forever!
Let Israel say,
her lovingkindness lasts forever.
Let Aaron’s household say,
Her lovingkindness lasts forever.
Let the God-fearers say,
Her lovingkindness lasts forever.
Pressed hard, I yelled to Yah;
She replied, giving me room.
Yahweh is with me, I will not fear:
How can mere humans hurt me?
Yahweh is with me to help me:
I shall look down on those who hate me.
It is better to shelter in Yahweh
Than to place hope in humanity;
Better to shelter in Yahweh
Than to put trust in princes.
All the nations surrounded me:
In Yahweh’s name I sliced them off.
They surrounded me on all sides:
In Yahweh’s name I sliced them off.
They surrounded me like bees:
They flared up like fire among thorns:
In Yahweh’s name I sliced them off.
Powerfully they pushed me down;
I fell but Yahweh was my defence.
Yah is my strength and my song
She has become my rescuer.
A roar of triumph from the tents of the just:
“Yahweh’s right hand rules!”
” Yahweh’s right hand is raised in triumph!”
“Yahweh’s right hand rules!”
I will not die but live
And declare what Yah has done.
Yah has taught me a sore lesson
But has not sent me down to death.
Open for me the gates of justice!
I will go in and give thanks to Yahweh.
.
This is Yahweh’s gate:
The just will go in by it.
.
I thank you that you replied to me
And have become my rescue.
The stone that the builders rejected
Has become the head of the corner!
.
This is the work of Yahweh:
It is extraordinary in our eyes.
This is the day Yahweh has made:
We will leap for joy and laugh in it.
.
Rescue us, Yahweh, we ask you,
We ask you, Yahweh, bring us success.
.
How happy is the one who comes in Yahweh’s name!
We will pray happiness on you from Yahweh’s House!
.
You are my God and I give thanks to you:
You are my God, and I will hold you on high.
Give thanks to Yahweh for she is good,
Her lovingkindness lasts forever!
Of course I have chosen to use the feminine pronouns for Yahweh in this translation. Yes, God is more than either male or female, but women are right to ask why we always use the male pronouns. So what difference does it make? Quite a difference I think, so we should probably do it more often!
The latter part of the psalm involves dialogue amongst temple worshippers, although the division of speakers is not indicated. I have done my best.
