(A David psalm. A song also used when the temple was rededicated.)
I’ll lift you up in praise, Yahweh,
Because you lifted me up
When I was feeling so down.
Thanks for doing so
Before the haters heard
And heckled me.
I called for help,
Yahweh my God,
And you healed me.
I thought I was as good as gone,
But you Yahweh
Reached out a hand
And lifted me from my death bed.
So, join me in praising Yahweh,
You people loyal to his covenant.
Lift up his name!
The flame of his anger
Is quickly blown out,
But the warmth of his embrace
Lingers a lifetime.
We may cry the whole night through,
But new joy
Comes with the light of dawn.
Proud and self-secure, I said,
“I’m unbeatable.”
And I had all kinds of success
With you by my side, Yahweh.
But when you turned your back
On my pride,
Things quickly fell apart.
So, I cried to you, Yahweh,
Hoping you’d look kindly on me.
“What good would it do
If I died
And my songs to you
Were silenced?
Will my rotting corpse
Sing for you?
Will my dusty bones
Tell people how you stuck with me?
So, listen please, Yahweh.
Show some kindness.
Be my help, dear Yahweh!”
And you did it!
Just like that,
You turned my tears of grief
Into a blissful dance.
You gave me a new wardrobe,
Tossing out my gloomy funeral clothes
And dressing me in brilliant
Joy-colors.
Now no one can shut me up!
If I restrained my heart’s song,
I’d hurt myself.
Yahweh my God,
This praise party won’t stop.
Not now.
Not ever.