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Psalms 116:3-5 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 The sorrows H2256 of death H4194 compassed H661 me, and the pains H4712 of hell H7585 gat hold H4672 upon me: I found H4672 trouble H6869 and sorrow. H3015

4 Then called H7121 I upon the name H8034 of the LORD; H3068 O LORD, H3068 I beseech H577 thee, deliver H4422 my soul. H5315

5 Gracious H2587 is the LORD, H3068 and righteous; H6662 yea, our God H430 is merciful. H7355

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.