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Psalms 116:1-19 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 I have given my love to the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my cry and my prayer.

2 He has let my request come before him, and I will make my prayer to him all my days.

3 The nets of death were round me, and the pains of the underworld had me in their grip; I was full of trouble and sorrow.

4 Then I made my prayer to the Lord, saying, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble.

5 The Lord is full of grace and righteousness; truly, he is a God of mercy.

6 The Lord keeps the simple; I was made low, and he was my saviour.

7 Come back to your rest, O my soul; for the Lord has given you your reward.

8 You have taken my soul from the power of death, keeping my eyes from weeping, and my feet from falling.

9 I will go before the Lord in the land of the living.

10 I still had faith, though I said, I am in great trouble;

11 Though I said in my fear, All men are false.

12 What may I give to the Lord for all the good things which he has done for me?

13 I will take the cup of salvation, and give praise to the name of the Lord.

14 I will make the offering of my oath to the Lord, even before all his people.

15 Dear in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of her who is your servant; by you have my cords been broken.

17 I will give an offering of praise to you, and make my prayer in the name of the Lord.

18 I will make the offerings of my oath, even before all his people;

19 In the Lord's house, even in Jerusalem. Praise be to the Lord.

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.