Psalms 116:1

PSALM CXVI

The psalmist praises God for his deliverance from thraldom,

which he compares to death and the grave, 1-9.

The exercises through which he had passed, 10, 11.

His gratitude for these mercies, and resolution to live to

God's glory, 12-19.

NOTES ON PSALM CXVI

This Psalm is also without a title, and its author is unknown. It appears to have been written after the captivity, and to be a thanksgiving to God for that glorious event. The psalmist compares this captivity to death and the grave; and shows the happy return to the promised land, called here, The land of the living. The people recollect the vows of God which were upon them, and purpose to fulfil them. They exhult at being enabled to worship God in the temple at Jerusalem.

The Syriac, which abounds in conjectural prefaces, supposes this Psalm to have been written on the occasion of Saul coming to the mouth of the cave in which David lay hidden; but spiritually taken, it relates to the bringing of a new people, the Gentiles, to the Christian faith. In a few MSS. this Psalm is joined to the preceding. Many think it relates wholly to the passion, death, and triumph of Christ. Most of the fathers were of this opinion.

Verse Psalms 116:1. I love the Lord because he hath heard] How vain and foolish is the talk, "To love God for his benefits to us is mercenary, and cannot be pure love!" Whether pure or impure, there is no other love that can flow from the heart of the creature to its Creator. We love him, said the holiest of Christ's disciples, because he first loved us; and the increase of our love and filial obedience is in proportion to the increased sense we have of our obligation to him. We love him for the benefits bestowed on us. Love begets love.