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Psalms 116

BSB·19 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1I loveאָ֭הַבְתִּי’ā·haḇ·tî — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He has heardיִשְׁמַ֥ע׀yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → my voiceק֝וֹלִ֗יqō·w·lî — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →my appeal for mercyתַּחֲנוּנָֽי׃ta·ḥă·nū·nāy — Earnest plea; humble supplication or entreatyH8469 — Full Word Study →. 2Becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He has inclinedהִטָּ֣הhiṭ·ṭāh — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → His earאָזְנ֣וֹ’ā·zə·nōw — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → to me, I will call on Himאֶקְרָֽא׃’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → as long as I liveוּבְיָמַ֥יū·ḇə·yā·may — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 3The ropesחֶבְלֵי־ḥeḇ·lê- — Rope, cord, line; inheritance; pain, sorrowH2256 — Full Word Study → of deathמָ֗וֶתmā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study → entangled meאֲפָפ֤וּנִי׀’ă·p̄ā·p̄ū·nî — to surround, encircle, encompassH661 — Full Word Study →; the anguishוּמְצָרֵ֣יū·mə·ṣā·rê — Narrow place, distress, or troubleH4712 — Full Word Study → of Sheolשְׁא֣וֹלšə·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study → overcame meמְצָא֑וּנִיmə·ṣā·’ū·nî — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →; I was confrontedאֶמְצָֽא׃’em·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → by troubleצָרָ֖הṣā·rāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → and sorrowוְיָג֣וֹןwə·yā·ḡō·wn — Deep sorrow, grief, profound sadnessH3015 — Full Word Study →. 4Then I calledאֶקְרָ֑א’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → on the nameוּבְשֵֽׁם־ū·ḇə·šêm- — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →: “O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, deliverמַלְּטָ֥הmal·lə·ṭāh — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study → my soulנַפְשִֽׁי׃nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →!” 5The LORDיְהֹוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is graciousחַנּ֣וּןḥan·nūn — gracious, merciful, compassionateH2587 — Full Word Study → and righteousוְצַדִּ֑יקwə·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →; our Godוֵ֖אלֹהֵ֣ינוּwê·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is full of compassionמְרַחֵֽם׃mə·ra·ḥêm — to have compassion, show mercyH7355 — Full Word Study →. 6The LORDיְהֹוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → preservesשֹׁמֵ֣רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → the simpleheartedפְּתָאיִ֣םpə·ṯā·yim — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study →; I was helplessדַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗יdal·lō·w·ṯî — To hang down, languish, become weak or impoverishedH1809 — Full Word Study →, and He saved meיְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃yə·hō·wō·šî·a‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study →. 7Return to your restשׁוּבִ֣יšū·ḇî — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →, O my soulנַ֭פְשִׁיnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has been goodגָּמַ֥לgā·mal — To deal bountifully; to ripen or mature; to repay or rewardH1580 — Full Word Study → to youעָלָֽיְכִי׃‘ā·lā·yə·ḵî — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 8Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You have deliveredחִלַּ֥צְתָּḥil·laṣ·tā — to strip off; to arm; to deliverH2502 — Full Word Study → my soulנַפְשִׁ֗יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → deathמִ֫מָּ֥וֶתmim·mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →, my eyesעֵינִ֥י‘ê·nî — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → from tearsדִּמְעָ֑הdim·‘āh — tears, weepingH1832 — Full Word Study →, my feetרַגְלִ֥יraḡ·lî — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → from stumblingמִדֶּֽחִי׃mid·de·ḥî — falling, ruin, collapseH1762 — Full Word Study →. 9I will walkאֶ֭תְהַלֵּךְ’eṯ·hal·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּ֝אַרְצ֗וֹתbə·’ar·ṣō·wṯ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of the livingהַֽחַיִּֽים׃ha·ḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →. 10I believedהֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּיhe·’ĕ·man·tî — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study →, thereforeכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I saidאֲדַבֵּ֑ר’ă·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →, “Iאֲ֝נִ֗י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am greatlyמְאֹֽד׃mə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → afflictedעָנִ֥יתִי‘ā·nî·ṯî — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study →.” 11In my alarmבְחָפְזִ֑יḇə·ḥā·p̄ə·zî — to hurry, hasten, or move with urgencyH2648 — Full Word Study → Iאֲ֭נִי’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → saidאָמַ֣רְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Allכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → menהָאָדָ֥םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → are liars!” 12Howמָֽה־māh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → can I repayאָשִׁ֥יב’ā·šîḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → for allכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His goodnessתַּגְמוּל֥וֹהִיtaḡ·mū·lō·w·hî — Benefit, reward, recompenseH8408 — Full Word Study → to meעָלָֽי׃‘ā·lāy — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →? 13I will liftאֶשָּׂ֑א’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the cupכּוֹס־kō·ws- — Cup; a drinking vessel; one's lot or destinyH3563 — Full Word Study → of salvationיְשׁוּע֥וֹתyə·šū·‘ō·wṯ — Deliverance, salvation, rescue from dangerH3444 — Full Word Study → and callאֶקְרָֽא׃’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → on the nameוּבְשֵׁ֖םū·ḇə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 14I will fulfillאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם’ă·šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → my vowsנְ֭דָרַיnə·ḏā·ray — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in the presence ofנֶגְדָה־neḡ·ḏāh- — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 15Preciousיָ֭קָרyā·qār — precious, valuable, honoredH3368 — Full Word Study → in the sightבְּעֵינֵ֣יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is the death of His saintsלַחֲסִידָֽיו׃la·ḥă·sî·ḏāw — The pious one; one characterized by faithfulness and covenant loyaltyH2623 — Full Word Study →. 16Trulyאָֽנָּ֣ה’ān·nāh — Please; I beseech you; earnest petitionH577 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָה֮Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, I am Your servantעַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ‘aḇ·de·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →; Iאֲ‍ֽנִי־’ănî- — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am Your servantעַ֭בְדְּךָ‘aḇ·də·ḵā — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study →, the sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Your maidservantאֲמָתֶ֑ךָ’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study →; You have brokenפִּ֝תַּ֗חְתָּpit·taḥ·tā — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → my bondsלְמוֹסֵרָֽי׃lə·mō·w·sê·rāy — bond, cord, or restraint; discipline or correctionH4147 — Full Word Study →. 17I will offerאֶ֭זְבַּח’ez·baḥ — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → to You a sacrificeזֶ֣בַחze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → of thanksgivingתּוֹדָ֑הtō·w·ḏāh — Thanksgiving; grateful praise and acknowledgment to GodH8426 — Full Word Study → and callאֶקְרָֽא׃’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → on the nameוּבְשֵׁ֖םū·ḇə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 18I will fulfillאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם’ă·šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → my vowsנְ֭דָרַיnə·ḏā·ray — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in the presenceנֶגְדָה־neḡ·ḏāh- — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → of allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, 19in the courtsבְּחַצְר֤וֹת׀bə·ḥaṣ·rō·wṯ — Enclosed courtyard or village settlementH2691 — Full Word Study → of the LORD’sיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → houseבֵּ֤יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, in your midstבְּֽת֘וֹכֵ֤כִיbə·ṯō·w·ḵê·ḵî — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study →, O Jerusalemיְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. Hallelujahהַֽלְלוּ־hal·lū- — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →!
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 116
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 116 is a beautiful testimony of personal deliverance and gratitude. The psalmist has experienced a life-threatening crisis—described as being caught in the "sorrows of death"—yet the LORD heard his cry and rescued him. This psalm moves from crisis to confession, from desperation to devotion, showing us how genuine faith responds to God's mercy with heartfelt praise and renewed commitment. It is a psalm that celebrates both divine compassion and human gratitude, making it deeply relevant for any believer who has known the comfort of God's rescue.

Verses 1-2: Love Born from Being Heard

The psalmist opens with a bold declaration: "I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications." This love is not abstract sentimentality but concrete affection rooted in answered prayer. God "inclined his ear"—a tender image suggesting that the Almighty bends down to listen to our small voices. The psalmist's commitment flows naturally from this: "therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." When we experience God's attentiveness in prayer, our love deepens and our devotion becomes lifelong. Application: Have you told the LORD lately that you love Him because He listens? Your answered prayers are evidence of His care; let them fuel your praise.

Verses 3-6: From Crisis to Compassion

Here the psalmist describes his desperate condition: "The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me." This is severe language—whether literal mortal danger or deep spiritual distress, he felt trapped by death itself. Yet in verse 4, he called out to the LORD with simple directness: "deliver my soul." God's response came through His character: He is "gracious," "righteous," and "merciful" (verse 5). Verse 6 is particularly comforting: "The LORD preserveth the simple"—those who are humble, dependent, and unpretentious. God helped this weak, brought-low believer. Application: In your darkest moments, do you cry out simply and directly? God's mercy meets honest desperation, not polished prayers.

Verses 7-9: Rest and Renewed Life

The psalmist now addresses his own soul: "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee." This is self-exhortation to stop anxious striving and trust in God's generosity. Verse 8 recounts the specific mercies: deliverance from death, eyes spared from tears, feet kept from falling—physical, emotional, and spiritual preservation. The result (verse 9) is a commitment to "walk before the LORD in the land of the living." He will live gratefully, purposefully, in God's presence. Application: When anxiety rises, remind your own soul of God's past faithfulness. His bounty should quiet your fears and reorient your steps.

Verses 10-14: Honest Faith and Grateful Vows

Verse 10 shows real faith: "I believed, therefore have I spoken"—conviction leads to testimony. Yet verse 11 reveals candid struggle: "I said in my haste, All men are liars." Even in affliction, the psalmist was tempted to despair and distrust. But he doesn't dwell there. Instead (verse 12), he asks the crucial question: "What shall I render unto the LORD?" His answer (verse 13) is beautifully simple: "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD." He will receive God's salvation and worship openly (verse 14). Application: True faith isn't sinless; it struggles honestly. Your grateful response to God need not be elaborate—simply receive His salvation and testify to it.

Verses 15-19: Precious Death and Public Praise

Verse 15 offers profound comfort: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Our lives matter to God eternally. The psalmist seals his devotion by declaring himself God's servant (verse 16), freed from bondage (verse 17), and commits to offer "the sacrifice of thanksgiving" and pay his vows publicly "in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the LORD's house" (verses 17-19). The psalm ends: "Praise ye the LORD." Application: Your life and even your death hold value to God. Honor Him through public testimony and sacrificial praise.

Application for Today

Psalm 116 invites us to love God not for who He is in theory, but for who He is in our experience. Have you felt His ear bent toward you in prayer? Have you known rescue from despair? The psalmist's path—from crisis to gratitude to public vow—is open to you. Let your answered prayers deepen your love; let your deliverance fuel your testimony; and let your gratitude overflow in worship that honors the God who hears, rescues, and treasures His people.

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