1 I love Jehovah, for he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications;
2 For he hath inclined his ear unto me, and I will call upon him during [all] my days.
3 The bands of death encompassed me, and the anguish of Sheol took hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow:
4 Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: I beseech thee, Jehovah, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is Jehovah and righteous; and our God is merciful.
6 Jehovah keepeth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before Jehovah in the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore have I spoken. As for me, I was greatly afflicted.
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12 What shall I render unto Jehovah, [for] all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Jehovah.
14 I will perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints.
16 Yea, Jehovah! for I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of Jehovah.
18 I will perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people,
19 In the courts of Jehovah's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 116
Commentary on Psalms 116 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 116
Ps 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 (Ps 116:13; Ps 55:16; 86:7; compare Ps 17:6; 31:2).
3, 4. For similar figures for distress see Ps 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.
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," Ps 11:1; 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities [Ps 116:8] are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Ps 56:13).
9. walk before the Lord—act, or live under His favor and guidance (Ge 17:1; Ps 61:7).
land of the living—(Ps 27:13).
10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Ps 68:8, 9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.
11. in my haste—literally, "terror," or "agitation," produced by his affliction (compare Ps 31:22).
12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Ps 116:4; Ps 50:14; Jon 2:9).
13. the cup of salvation—the drink offering which was part of the thank offering (Nu 15:3-5).
14. now—(compare Ps 115:2). "Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c.
15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.
17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.