1 I have loved, because Jehovah heareth My voice, my supplication,
2 Because He hath inclined His ear to me, And during my days I call.
3 Compassed me have cords of death, And straits of Sheol have found me, Distress and sorrow I find.
4 And in the name of Jehovah I call: I pray Thee, O Jehovah, deliver my soul,
5 Gracious `is' Jehovah, and righteous, Yea, our God `is' merciful,
6 A preserver of the simple `is' Jehovah, I was low, and to me He giveth salvation.
7 Turn back, O my soul, to thy rest, For Jehovah hath conferred benefits on thee.
8 For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, my feet from overthrowing.
9 I walk habitually before Jehovah In the lands of the living.
10 I have believed, for I speak, I -- I have been afflicted greatly.
11 I said in my haste, `Every man `is' a liar.'
12 What do I return to Jehovah? All His benefits `are' upon me.
13 The cup of salvation I lift up, And in the name of Jehovah I call.
14 My vows to Jehovah let me complete, I pray you, before all His people.
15 Precious in the eyes of Jehovah `is' the death for His saints.
16 Cause `it' to come, O Jehovah, for I `am' Thy servant. I `am' Thy servant, son of Thy handmaid, Thou hast opened my bonds.
17 To Thee I sacrifice a sacrifice of thanks, And in the name of Jehovah I call.
18 My vows to Jehovah let me complete, I pray you, before all His people,
19 In the courts of the house of Jehovah, In thy midst, O Jerusalem, praise ye Jah!
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.