The Stone the Builders Rejected
Psalms 117
This psalm calls Israel, the house of Aaron, and all who fear the Lord to give thanks because his mercy endures forever, recounting how the Lord answered the psalmist's cry and helped him against nations that surrounded him like bees around a honeycomb. It declares that the stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner on the day the Lord has made, and blesses the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonO GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonAlleluia. Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekἈλληλούϊα. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVO give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
JPS'O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, For His mercy endureth for ever.
2
ThomsonO! let the house of Israel say, For He is good. For to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonLet now the house of Israel say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekΕἰπάτω δὴ οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ, ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVLet Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
JPSSo let Israel now say, For His mercy endureth for ever,
3
ThomsonO! let the house of Aaron say, For He is good. For to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonLet now the house of Aaron say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekΕἰπάτω δὴ οἶκος Ἀαρὼν, ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVLet the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
JPSSo let the house of Aaron now say, For His mercy endureth for ever.
4
ThomsonLet all who fear the Lord say, For He is good. For to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonLet now all that fear the Lord say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekΕἰπάτωσαν δὴ πάντες οἱ φοβούμενοι τὸν Κύριον, ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVLet them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
JPSSo let them now that fear the LORD say, For His mercy endureth for ever.
5
ThomsonBecause of affliction I called on the Lord, and He heard me for enlargement.
BrentonI called on the Lord out of affliction: and he hearkened to me, so as to bring me into a wide place.
GreekἘκ θλίψεως ἐπεκαλεσάμην τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἐπήκουσέ μου εἰς πλατυσμόν.
KJVI called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
JPSOut of my straits I called upon the LORD; He answered me with great enlargement.
6
ThomsonHaving the Lord for my helper, I will not fear what man can do to me.
BrentonThe Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do to me.
GreekΚύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθὸς, καὶ οὐ φοβηθήσομαι τί ποιησει μοι ἄνθρωπος.
KJVThe LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
JPSThe LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do unto me?
7
ThomsonHaving the Lord for my helper, I shall look down on mine enemies.
BrentonThe Lord is my helper; and I shall see my desire upon mine enemies.
GreekΚύριος ἐμοὶ βοηθὸς, κᾀγὼ ἐπόψομαι τοὺς ἐχθρούς μου.
KJVThe LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
JPSThe LORD is for me as my helper; And I shall gaze upon them that hate me.
8
ThomsonIt is better to confide in the Lord than to confide in man;
BrentonIt is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.
GreekἈγαθὸν πεποιθέναι ἐπὶ Κύριον, ἢ πεποιθέναι ἐπʼ ἄνθρωπον.
KJVIt is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
JPSIt is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man.
9
Thomsonit is better to trust the Lord than put confidence in princes.
BrentonIt is better to hope in the Lord, than to hope in princes.
GreekἈγαθὸν ἐλπίζειν ἐπὶ Κύριον, ἢ ἐλπίζειν ἐπʼ ἄρχουσι.
KJVIt is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
JPSIt is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.
10
ThomsonAll the nations compassed me about: but by the name of the Lord I was avenged of them.
BrentonAll nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.
GreekΠάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐκύκλωσάν με, καὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου ἠμυνάμην αὐτούς·
KJVAll nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
JPSAll nations compass me about; Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
11
ThomsonCompassing me about they beset me, but by the name of the Lord I was avenged of them.
BrentonThey completely compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.
GreekΚυκλώσαντες ἐκύκλωσάν με, καὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου ἠμυνάμην αὐτούς·
KJVThey compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
JPSThey compass me about, yea, they compass me about; Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
12
ThomsonThey encompassed me as bees do a honeycomb: and blazed furiously like fire among thorns;—but by the name of the Lord I was avenged of them.
BrentonThey compassed me about as bees do a honeycomb, and they burst into flame as fire among thorns: but in the name of the Lord I repulsed them.
GreekἘκύκλωσάν με ὡσεὶ μέλισσαι κηρίον, καὶ ἐξεκαύθησαν ὡς πῦρ ἐν ἀκάνθαις, καὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου ἠμυνάμην αὐτούς.
KJVThey compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
JPSThey compass me about like bees; They are quenched as the fire of thorns; Verily, in the name of the LORD I will cut them off.
13
Thomson—
BrentonI was thrust, and sorely shaken, that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
GreekὨσθεὶς ἀνετράπην τοῦ πεσεῖν, καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἀντελάβετό μου.
KJVThou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
JPSThou didst thrust sore at me that I might fall; But the LORD helped me.
14
ThomsonThe Lord is my strength and my song of praise—He indeed was my salvation.—
BrentonThe Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.
GreekἸσχύς μου καὶ ὕμνησίς μου ὁ Κύριος, καὶ ἐγένετό μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν.
KJVThe LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
JPSThe LORD is my strength and song; And He is become my salvation.
15
ThomsonA sound of joy and deliverance in the tents of the righteous! The right hand of the Lord hath exerted power!
BrentonThe voice of exultation and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord has wrought mightily.
GreekΦωνὴ ἀγαλλιάσεως καὶ σωτηρίας ἐν σκηναῖς δικαίων· δεξιὰ Κυρίου ἐποίησε δύναμιν,
KJVThe voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
JPSThe voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
16
ThomsonThe right hand of the Lord hath exalted me; the right hand of the Lord hath exerted power.
BrentonThe right hand of the Lord has exalted me: the right hand of the Lord has wrought powerfully.
Greekδεξιὰ Κυρίου ὕψωσέ με· δεξιὰ Κυρίου ἐποίησε δύναμιν.
KJVThe right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
JPSThe right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
17
ThomsonI shall not die: but live and proclaim the works of the Lord.
BrentonI shall not die, but live, and recount the works of the Lord.
GreekΟὐκ ἀποθανοῦμαι, ἀλλὰ ζήσομαι, καὶ διηγήσομαι τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου.
KJVI shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
JPSI shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD.
18
ThomsonWith correction, the Lord corrected me: but did not deliver me up to death.
BrentonThe Lord has chastened me sore: but he has not given me up to death.
GreekΠαιδεύων ἐπαίδευσέ με ὁ Κύριος, καὶ τῷ θανάτῳ οὐ παρέδωκέ με.
KJVThe LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
JPSThe LORD hath chastened me sore; But He hath not given me over unto death.
19
ThomsonOpen for me the gates of righteousness, and I will go in at them and give thanks to the Lord.
BrentonOpen to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and give praise to the Lord.
GreekἈνοίξατέ μοι πύλας δικαιοσύνης, εἰσελθὼν ἐν αὐταῖς ἐξομολογήσομαι τῷ Κυρίῳ.
KJVOpen to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
JPSOpen to me the gates of righteousness; I will enter into them, I will give thanks unto the LORD.
20
ThomsonThis is the gate of the Lord, at it the righteous are to enter.
BrentonThis is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter by it.
GreekΑὕτη ἡ πύλη τοῦ Κυρίου, δίκαιοι εἰσελεύσονται ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVThis gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
JPSThis is the gate of the LORD; The righteous shall enter into it.
21
ThomsonI will praise thee because thou didst hear me, and hast been unto me salvation.
BrentonI will give thanks to thee; because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
GreekἘξομολογήσομαί σοι, ὅτι ἐπήκουσάς μου, καὶ ἐγένου μου εἰς σωτηρίαν.
KJVI will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
JPSI will give thanks unto Thee, for Thou hast answered me, And art become my salvation.
22
ThomsonThe stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the head of the corner.
BrentonThe stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.
GreekΛίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας.
KJVThe stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
JPSThe stone which the builders rejected Is become the chief corner-stone.
23
ThomsonThis [salvation] was from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
BrentonThis has been done of the Lord; and it is wonderful in our eyes.
GreekΠαρὰ Κυρίου ἐγένετο αὕτη, καὶ ἔστι θαυμαστὴ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν.
KJVThis is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
JPSThis is the LORD’S doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.
24
ThomsonThis is the day which the Lord made: on it let us rejoice and be glad.
BrentonThis is the day which the Lord has made: let us exult and rejoice in it.
GreekΑὕτη ἡ ἡμέρα ἣν ἐποίησεν ὁ Κύριος, ἀγαλλιασώμεθα καὶ εὐφρανθῶμεν ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVThis is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
JPSThis is the day which the LORD hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
25
ThomsonO Lord save, I beseech Thee: O Lord, I beseech Thee, prosper.
BrentonO Lord, save now: O Lord, send now prosperity.
GreekὮ Κύριε σῶσον δὴ, ὦ Κύριε εὐόδωσον δή.
KJVSave now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
JPSWe beseech Thee, O LORD, save now! We beseech Thee, O LORD, make us now to prosper!
26
ThomsonBlessed be he who is coming in the name of the Lord; we have blessed you of the house of the Lord.
BrentonBlessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
GreekΕὐλογημένος ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου· εὐλογήκαμεν ὑμᾶς ἐξ οἴκου Κυρίου.
KJVBlessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
JPSBlessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD; We bless you out of the house of the LORD.
27
ThomsonGod is Lord, and He hath shined upon us. Solemnise a festival with thick boughs, even to the horns of the altar.
BrentonGod is the Lord, and he has shined upon us: celebrate the feast with thick branches, binding the victims even to the horns of the altar.
GreekΘεὸς Κύριος, καὶ ἐπέφανεν ἡμῖν· συστήσασθε ἑορτὴν ἐν τοῖς πυκάζουσιν, ἕως τῶν κεράτων τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου.
KJVGod is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
JPSThe LORD is God, and hath given us light; Order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar.
28
ThomsonThou art my God and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God and I will exalt Thee: I will praise Thee, because Thou hast heard me; and hast been unto me salvation.
BrentonThou art my God, and I will give thee thanks: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will give thanks to thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
GreekΘεός μου εἶ σὺ, καὶ ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι· Θεός μου εἶ σὺ, καὶ ὑψώσω σε· ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι, ὅτι ἐπήκουσάς μου, καὶ ἐγένου μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν.
KJVThou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
JPSThou art my God, and I will give thanks unto Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee.
29
ThomsonO give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonGive thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekἘξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι ἀγαθὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVO give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
JPSO give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, For His mercy endureth for ever.