Psalms 116:1-19
1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
CXVI. A Song of Comfort in Affliction. There is nothing to justify the division into two Pss. (a) Psalms 116:1, (b) Psalms 116:10 (LXX); the same theme in its double aspect is continued throughout.
Psalms 116:2 b. Read, and I will call on the name of Yahweh.
Psalms 116:3. Cf. Psalms 18:4 f.
Psalms 116:6. simple: in a good sense: contrast Proverbs 1:4, etc.
Psalms 116:10 a. Read, I believed: therefore have I spoken (LXX, cf. 2 Corinthians 4:13).
Psalms 116:11. Translate (cf. LXX), I said in my alarm (mg.), all men are a deceit. They do not tell lies, but there is no trusting them: they lack the power of help.
Psalms 116:13. The cup of salvation, i.e. the cup poured out in thanksgiving for deliverance vouchsafed. No such rite is mentioned in the OT, but on the pillar of Yehavmilk, king of Gebal, the king is represented as pouring out wine before the goddess (after victory).
Psalms 116:15. The sense is that Yahweh will not easily suffer His saints (see on Psalms 4) to perish; the cost of their death is too great. In other words the godly need Yahweh's help: He needs their service.