PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:1. This is a hymn of personal thanksgiving for God’s care. The specific circumstance is a narrow escape from death (vv. Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:8, Psalms 116:15). The psalm shows that such thanksgiving for a very personal blessing is properly offered in public worship... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:3 THE SNARES OF DEATH and THE PANGS OF SHEOL are probably the same thing. He was on the brink of dying (see vv. Psalms 116:8, Psalms 116:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:4 CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD often refers to a public prayer (see Genesis 4:26; Genesis 12:8; Psalms 105:1), which is likely the case here (compare Psalms 116:13). Thus the request was made in a worship service. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:5 The answer to the urgent prayer leads to reflection on God’s character, namely, that he is GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL (see Exodus 34:6), and RIGHTEOUS (that is, reliably faithful). Celebrating this experience makes these notions all the more real to the believer. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:8 DEATH, TEARS, STUMBLING. These cover a wider variety of circumstances than simply the death of one’s body. This may be the psalmist’s invitation to the singers to apply the psalm more generally to experiences of need. The psalm also shows the thankful person how to make go... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 116:12 WHAT SHALL I RENDER TO THE LORD FOR ALL HIS BENEFITS TO ME? The answer is, acts of public worship. The personal deliverance is a benefit to the whole people, and the entire congregation shares in giving thanks (see Romans 12:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsBy... [ Continue Reading ]