Psalm 116. This is a Psalm of praise for past deliverance. Prophetically it is the expressions of restored Israel when delivered from the great tribulation, reflecting on the character of Jehovah, and leading to love and praise.

 

 

vv.1-2 Love and Praise in Response to Past Deliverance. In the first two verses we have the introduction to the Psalm. The psalmist declares his love for Jehovah as a result of deliverance; “for he hath heard my voice and my supplications; for he hath inclined his ear unto me”. This results in gratefulness, and also devotedness “during all my days”. The love that we have here is a responsive love, but it falls short of the standard for the believer in the New Testament, who has the highest manifestation of God’s love (called “perfect love”) in the sending of the Son to the cross (1 John 4:9-10, 16-19).

 

 

vv.3-6 Deliverance from Death. The faithful can reflect on being close to death, which might refer prophetically to Israel’s extremity in the great tribulation; “The bands of death encompassed me, and the anguish of Sheol took hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow”. But in that time of extreme suffering and danger, Israel cries out to Jehovah and He delivers them, thus displaying His characteristics, that His is “gracious… righteous… merciful”.

 

 

vv.7-15 The Soul’s Response to Jehovah’s Benefits. The faithful are at rest in their soul because their confidence is in Jehovah. They can rejoice in the mercy of Jehovah in delivering them from death, removing their sorrows, and preserving them from a fall. The result is that they are resolved to walk in the presence of Jehovah. The bands of death are exchanged for the land of the living! In v.10 the appreciation results in an outflow of testimony to others. What is believed in the soul translates to a spoken testimony; “I believed, therefore have I spoken”. This passage is quoted in 2 Corinthians 4:13 in application to the servants of Christ who are called to suffer. The Psalmist was passing through similar circumstances to those of Paul. Having passed through deep trials (“I was greatly afflicted”), now he has increased confidence in the Lord, because He believed in the God of resurrection. It was that confidence, built up through experience, that caused him to open his mouth in testimony. Likewise, Paul’s confidence was in God who “raised the Lord Jesus” from the dead. The faithful reflect on the utter untrustworthiness of man. The word “haste” in v.10 does not refer to carelessness, but rather to sudden distress or alarm. “All men are liars” is a true statement, referring generally to the apostate nation of Israel, and more broadly to the fallen race of Adam. It is the pressures of the great tribulation (“my haste”) that cause the faithful remnant to reflect on the true condition of man in the flesh. The question arises in v.12, “What shall I render unto Jehovah, for all his benefits toward me?”. The grateful soul is rising up in response to the goodness and mercy of God! There are two responses. First, to simply accept the gift of salvation and offer continual praise; “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of Jehovah”. Second, to dedicate ones life to the One who has delivered him; “I will perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people”. These two responses are expanded on in vv.16-19. The confidence of the soul, built up through experience, even knows that if called to die, “Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints” (v.15), because his faith is in the God of resurrection.

 

vv.16-19 Full Devotion and Praise. The delivered soul desires nothing more than to serve and praise Jehovah. First, the privilege of serving Jehovah; “I am thy servant” (see Rom. 12:1). Second, the privilege of praising Jehovah; “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving”, etc. The praise of restored Israel will be offered up publicly, before all the people, in the courts of the temple, and in the midst of Jerusalem. This Psalm of thanksgiving concludes with a suitable “Hallelujah!”.