Psalm 116
BSB
The LORD Has Heard My Voice
1I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—
my appeal for mercy.
2Because He has inclined His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
3The ropes of death entangled me;
the anguish of Sheol overcame me;
I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
4Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“O LORD, deliver my soul!”
5The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6The LORD preserves the simplehearted;
I was helpless, and He saved me.
7Return to your rest, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8For You have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
9I will walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10I believed, therefore I said,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
11In my alarm I said,
“All men are liars!”
12How can I repay the LORD
for all His goodness to me?
13I will lift the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all His people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of His saints.
16Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have broken my bonds.
17I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all His people,
19in the courts of the LORD’s house,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Hallelujah!
Introduction
Psalms 116
This is a thanksgiving psalm; it is not certain whether David penned it upon any particular occasion or upon a general review of the many gracious deliverances God had wrought for him, out of six troubles and seven, which deliverances draw from him many very lively expressions of devotion, love, and gratitude; and with similar pious affections our souls should be lifted up to God in singing it. Observe, I. The great distress and danger that the psalmist was in, which almost drove him to despair (Psa 116:3, Psa 116:10, Psa 116:11). II. The application he made to God in that distress (Psa 116:4). III. The experience he had of God's goodness to him, in answer to prayer; God heard him (Psa 116:1, Psa 116:2), pitied him (Psa 116:5, Psa 116:6), delivered him (Psa 116:8). IV His care respecting the acknowledgments he should make of the goodness of God to him (Psa 116:12). 1. He will love God (Psa 116:1). 2. He will continue to call upon him (Psa 116:2, Psa 116:13, Psa 116:17). 3. He will rest in him (Psa 116:7). 4. He will walk before him (Psa 116:9). 5. He will pay his vows of thanksgiving, in which he will own the tender regard God had to him, and this publicly (Psa 116:13-15, Psa 116:17-19). Lastly, He will continue God's faithful servant to his life's end (Psa 116:16). These are such breathings of a holy soul as bespeak it very happy.
Cross-references: Ps 116:3 · Ps 116:10 · Ps 116:11 · Ps 116:4 · Ps 116:1 · Ps 116:2 · Ps 116:5 · Ps 116:6 · Ps 116:8 · Ps 116:12 · Ps 116:13 · Ps 116:17 · Ps 116:7 · Ps 116:9 · Ps 116:16