Psalms 116
FBMeyerPsalms 116:1-11
He Delivered My Soul Psalms 116:1-11 Throughout this psalm we meet the pronoun in the first person. Only in two verses, Psalms 116:15 and Psalms 116:19, does it not so occur. There is no fear of egotism, however, when the heart of the singer overflows with divine love. Psalms 116:1-4 The psalmist here compares himself to some wild animal ensnared by the hunter and bound by the sharp cords which make free movement impossible. Bow many of God’ s saints have felt the deep incision of these cords! It has been with them as with Joseph, when let down into the pit. But there is no pit so deep that a cry from it may not reach the heart of God. Psalms 116:5-11 When the quiet faith of answered prayer is ours, the fluttering soul seems to settle down to its nest in peace. The feet which were slipping now walk in the paths of life. Notice the prayer of Psa 116:4 and the reply of Psa 116:8. God does more than deliver; He wipes the tears from our faces, and holds us as a mother who places her hands under the armpits of her child, teaching it to walk. Paul quotes Psalms 116:10 in 2 Corinthians 4:13. How often must this psalm have been in his thought and on his lips! Do not speak hastily. An eminent religious leader said once, “ I shall have good hopes of you, when you can speak and move slowly.”
I love the Lord! This Psalm formed part of the Paschal Hallel, and contains an underlying reference to the deliverance from Egypt and the deliverance from the captivity in Babylon. The Psalmist passes from the national deliverance to his personal sweet experiences of redeeming mercy, and sings his own song of thankfulness. The name “Jehovah” occurs fifteen times and “Jah” once.
Psalms 116:1-2. He hath heard Answered prayer may well incite to renewed love. But let us not love Him less, if He withhold. Perhaps the withholding is a greater proof of love than giving would be (John 11:3-15).
Psalms 116:3-6. The sorrows of death Many who are reading this Psalm may be in a similar position. And excessive grief is some times apt to check prayer. The soul is too sore and hurt even to cry out. Yet it is well worth our while, when we are in such circumstances, to break through all restraints and call out to God. He is very merciful.
Psalms 116:7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul! There is no “rest” so warm and safe for the soul, as in the love and care of God. Sometimes, however, like the dove, we seem to get away from it. There is nothing better, at such times, than to return, and we shall be at once pulled in unto Him (Genesis 8:9). Why do we ever leave our rest? Why wander from our home? (Matthew 11:29). The , love of God invites us back (Romans 2:4).
Psalms 116:8. Thou hast delivered He hath delivered; He doth deliver; He will yet deliver (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Psalms 116:10. I believed: therefore have I spoken Quoted by the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 4:13). This is the speech which convinces men, because it has in it the accent of the speaker’s conviction. Never say more than you believe.
Psalms 116:11. In my haste It is this hasty speaking which lies at the root of so much misery to ourselves and others. An eminent director of souls once said: “I shall have good hopes of you when you can speak and move slowly.” Oh for a holy collectedness of spirit!
Psalms 116:13. The cup of salvation The Scripture often speaks of our lot as a “cup.” In this case it brims with blessed help. But it is only because our dear Lord drank a cup brimming with bitter sorrow (John 18:11).
Psalms 116:14. Will pay my vows A good resolve, repeated in Psalms 116:18 (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
Psalms 116:15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints Therefore He often raises them from the very borders of the grave. Each saintly death-bed is the scene of minute care on the part of God our Father. It is there that He puts the finishing touch on a perfected character. Balaam’s wish (Numbers 23:10) was not granted, for it went forth from feigned lips.
Psalms 116:16. O Lord, truly I am thy servant (thy slave) A marvelous avowal! The Psalmist dwells with delight on his slavery (ebed, a slave); and through it finds freedom. To be the slave of Jesus is to taste the sweets of liberty. Those who become God’s slaves are loosed by Him from all other bonds (John 8:31-36).
Psalms 116:17-19. The sacrifice of thanksgiving “Praise is comely” (Psalms 33:1; Psalms 147:1). Shall we withhold from Jehovah that praise which is his due? Thanksgiving should ever be the accompaniment of our prayers (Philippians 4:6). Psalms 116:17-18 are almost identical with Psalms 116:13-14. We ought not to shrink from making mention of God’s name (Psalms 66:13-16).
Psalms 116:12-19
Praise Him for All His Benefits Psalms 116:12-19; Psalms 117:1-2 The psalmist dwells joyfully on his enslavement to God, because in and through it he had found perfect liberty. Thou hast loosed my bonds. They who become enslaved to Christ are set free from all other restraints. See John 8:31-36. Do not forget to pay your vows! In trouble we make promises, which, when the trouble has passed, we find it convenient to forget. See Genesis 40:23. Psalms 117:1-2 is the shortest chapter in the Bible and its center; but, small as it is, it breathes a world-wide spirit and reaches out to all nations. “ It is a dewdrop reflecting the universe.” The Apostle quotes it in Romans 15:11, as foretelling the call of the Gentiles. Here, as in Isaiah 11:10 and elsewhere, the spirit of the singer overleaps all national exclusiveness and comprehends all people and all time. Let us learn to exercise the spirit of praise in our daily sphere. Surely we also can say that God’ s loving-kindness has been, and is, mighty over us. “ Where sin abounded grace did much more abound.” The permanence of this love is guaranteed by God’ s faithfulness; for his truth is his troth. The shortest prayer of praise should find room for Hallelujah! See Revelation 19:4.
I love the Lord! This Psalm formed part of the Paschal Hallel, and contains an underlying reference to the deliverance from Egypt and the deliverance from the captivity in Babylon. The Psalmist passes from the national deliverance to his personal sweet experiences of redeeming mercy, and sings his own song of thankfulness. The name “Jehovah” occurs fifteen times and “Jah” once.
Psalms 116:1-2. He hath heard Answered prayer may well incite to renewed love. But let us not love Him less, if He withhold. Perhaps the withholding is a greater proof of love than giving would be (John 11:3-15).
Psalms 116:3-6. The sorrows of death Many who are reading this Psalm may be in a similar position. And excessive grief is some times apt to check prayer. The soul is too sore and hurt even to cry out. Yet it is well worth our while, when we are in such circumstances, to break through all restraints and call out to God. He is very merciful.
Psalms 116:7. Return unto thy rest, O my soul! There is no “rest” so warm and safe for the soul, as in the love and care of God. Sometimes, however, like the dove, we seem to get away from it. There is nothing better, at such times, than to return, and we shall be at once pulled in unto Him (Genesis 8:9). Why do we ever leave our rest? Why wander from our home? (Matthew 11:29). The , love of God invites us back (Romans 2:4).
Psalms 116:8. Thou hast delivered He hath delivered; He doth deliver; He will yet deliver (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Psalms 116:10. I believed: therefore have I spoken Quoted by the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 4:13). This is the speech which convinces men, because it has in it the accent of the speaker’s conviction. Never say more than you believe.
Psalms 116:11. In my haste It is this hasty speaking which lies at the root of so much misery to ourselves and others. An eminent director of souls once said: “I shall have good hopes of you when you can speak and move slowly.” Oh for a holy collectedness of spirit!
Psalms 116:13. The cup of salvation The Scripture often speaks of our lot as a “cup.” In this case it brims with blessed help. But it is only because our dear Lord drank a cup brimming with bitter sorrow (John 18:11).
Psalms 116:14. Will pay my vows A good resolve, repeated in Psalms 116:18 (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
Psalms 116:15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints Therefore He often raises them from the very borders of the grave. Each saintly death-bed is the scene of minute care on the part of God our Father. It is there that He puts the finishing touch on a perfected character. Balaam’s wish (Numbers 23:10) was not granted, for it went forth from feigned lips.
Psalms 116:16. O Lord, truly I am thy servant (thy slave) A marvelous avowal! The Psalmist dwells with delight on his slavery (ebed, a slave); and through it finds freedom. To be the slave of Jesus is to taste the sweets of liberty. Those who become God’s slaves are loosed by Him from all other bonds (John 8:31-36).
Psalms 116:17-19. The sacrifice of thanksgiving “Praise is comely” (Psalms 33:1; Psalms 147:1). Shall we withhold from Jehovah that praise which is his due? Thanksgiving should ever be the accompaniment of our prayers (Philippians 4:6). Psalms 116:17-18 are almost identical with Psalms 116:13-14. We ought not to shrink from making mention of God’s name (Psalms 66:13-16).