Psalms 116

King James Version (KJV) · English

1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, 19 In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

Commentary — not Bible text

Psalms 116:1-2

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).

Psalms 116:3-4

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.

Psalms 116:5-8

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).

Psalms 116:9

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).

Psalms 116:10-11

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.

Psalms 116:15-16

15-16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.

Psalms 116:17-19

17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.

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