Psalms 118:5-18

5When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.

6The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

7The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.

8It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

9It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

10All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

11They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

12They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.

13I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.

14The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

15Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

16The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

17I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

18The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.