Psalm 116

William Kuipers, 1931; rev.

1. I love the LORD, the fount of life and grace;
   He heard my voice, my cry and supplication,
   Inclined His ear, gave strength and consolation;
   In life, in death, my heart will seek His face.
   
2. The cords of death held me in deep despair;
   The terrors of the grave caused me to languish.
   I suffered untold grief and bitter anguish;
   In my distress I turned to God in prayer.
   
3. I cried to Him, “Oh, I beseech Thee, LORD,
   Preserve my life and prove Thyself my Savior!”
   The LORD is just and He shows grace and favor;
   In boundless mercy He fulfils His word.
   
4. The LORD preserves the helpless graciously;
   For, when brought low, in Him I found salvation.
   Come, O my soul, relieved from tribulation,
   Turn to your rest; the LORD has favored me.
   
5. O righteous LORD, Thou in Thy sovereign grace
   Hast saved my soul from death and woe appalling,
   Dried all my tears and kept my feet from falling,
   That I may live and walk before Thy face.
   
6. I have believed, and therefore did I speak
   When I was made to suffer tribulation;
   I said in haste and bitter consternation:
   All men are false, and guileful ways they seek.
   
7. What shall I render to my Savior now
   For all the riches of His consolation?
   With joy I’ll take the cup of His salvation,
   And call upon His Name with thankful vow.
   
8. In all His people’s presence I will pay
   My vows to Him, the LORD so good and gracious.
   To God the death of all His saints is precious;
   In times of grief He is their help and stay.
   
9. I am, O LORD, Thy servant, bound yet free,
   Thy handmaid’s son, whose shackles Thou hast broken.
   Redeemed by grace, I’ll render as a token
   Of gratitude my constant praise to Thee.
   
10. Jerusalem! Within your courts I’ll praise
    The LORD’s great Name, and with a spirit lowly
    Pay all my vows. O Zion, fair and holy,
    Come join with me and bless Him all your days!