The following paraphrase of Psalm 118 is from my dear friend and mentor, Michael Morgan. This paraphrase of Psalm 118 (and, in fact, every psalm) can be found in his published psalter, Psalter for Christian Worship, Revised Edition. The suggested tune for this Psalm (8.7.8.7.8.8.7) is MIT FREUDEN ZART (#483 in the Blue Presbyterian Hymnal - "Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above"). Psalm 118 is the lectionary psalm for Easter Sunday, Year C.
Give thanks unto our gracious God,
Whose love endures forever;
The Lord, our strength and song shall be,
From whom no fault can sever.
Sing mighty songs of victory,
Both now and for eternity,
For God will leave us never.
I shall not die, but I shall live,
And sing God's grace with elation;
Though I deserve no more than death,
God blesses me with salvation.
The gate that should unyielding be
Is open wide to welcome me,
Give thanks and adoration!
Upon the stones the builders judged
Imperfect, weak and tender,
Now rest the corners of God's house,
Still unsurpassed in splendor.
This is the day the Lord has made;
God is my sun, and God my shade;
Rejoice, and praise gladly render!
Shared with permission of Michael Morgan.