A Psalm for the Palms

 The liturgy of the Palms gives us only a small part of Psalm 118: verses 19-29. I think it is well worth reading the whole thing.

Psalm 118: Confitemini Domino

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.

2 Let Israel now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

3 Let the house of Aaron now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

4 Let those who fear the Lord now proclaim, *

"His mercy endures for ever."

5 I called to the Lord in my distress; *

the Lord answered by setting me free.

6 The Lord is at my side, therefore I will not fear; *

what can anyone do to me?

7 The Lord is at my side to help me; *

I will triumph over those who hate me.

8 It is better to rely on the Lord *

than to put any trust in flesh.

9 It is better to rely on the Lord *

than to put any trust in rulers.

10 All the ungodly encompass me; *

in the name of the Lord I will repel them.

11 They hem me in, they hem me in on every side; *

in the name of the Lord I will repel them.

12 They swarm about me like bees;

they blaze like a fire of thorns; *

in the name of the Lord I will repel them.

13 I was pressed so hard that I almost fell, *

but the Lord came to my help.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song, *

and he has become my salvation.

15 There is a sound of exultation and victory *

in the tents of the righteous:

16 "The right hand of the Lord has triumphed! *

the right hand of the Lord is exalted!

the right hand of the Lord has triumphed!"

17 I shall not die, but live, *

and declare the works of the Lord.

18 The Lord has punished me sorely, *

but he did not hand me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *

I will enter them;

I will offer thanks to the Lord.

20 "This is the gate of the Lord; *

he who is righteous may enter."

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *

and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *

has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing, *

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the Lord has acted; *

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Hosannah, Lord, hosannah! *

Lord, send us now success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; *

we bless you from the house of the Lord.

27 God is the Lord; he has shined upon us; *

form a procession with branches up to the horns of the altar.

28 "You are my God, and I will thank you; *

you are my God, and I will exalt you."

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; *

his mercy endures for ever.