Psalms 116
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
PSALM 116
Psa 116:1-19. The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favored, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.
1-2. A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses (Psa 116:13; Psa 55:16; 86:7; compare Psa 17:6; 31:2).
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
★3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
3-4. For similar figures for distress see Psa 18:4, 5.
gat hold upon me--Another sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease.
4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his "soul," Psa 11:1; 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities [Psa 116:8] are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Psa 56:13).
6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
9. walk before the Lord--act, or live under His favor and guidance (Ge 17:1; Psa 61:7).
land of the living--(Psa 27:13).
10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
10-11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Psa 68:8, 9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.
11I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Psa 116:4; Psa 50:14; Jon 2:9).
13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
15-16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.
16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.
18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
19In the courts of the LORD’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
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