Telling a New Story

¹ Give thanks to the LORD because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever. ² Let Israel say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” ³ Let the house of Aaron say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” ⁴ Let those who honor the LORD say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!” ⁵ In tight circumstances, I cried out to the LORD. The LORD answered me with wide-open spaces. ⁶ The LORD is for me—I won’t be afraid. What can anyone do to me? ⁷ The LORD is for me—as my helper. I look in victory on those who hate me. ⁸ It’s far better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust any human. ⁹ It’s far better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust any human leader. ¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me, but I cut them down in the LORD’s name. ¹¹ Yes, they surrounded me on every single side, but I cut them down in the LORD’s name. ¹² They surrounded me like bees, but they were extinguished like burning thorns. I cut them down in the LORD’s name! ¹³ I was pushed so hard I nearly died, but the LORD helped me. ¹⁴ The LORD was my strength and protection; he was my saving help! ¹⁵ The sounds of joyful songs and deliverance are heard in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s strong hand is victorious! ¹⁶ The LORD’s strong hand is ready to strike! The LORD’s strong hand is victorious!” ¹⁷ I won’t die—no, I will live and declare what the LORD has done. ¹⁸ Yes, the LORD definitely disciplined me, but he didn’t hand me over to death. ¹⁹ Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the LORD! ²⁰ This is the LORD’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it.