Bible Commentaries

Psalm 116:1-19. The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favored, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.

A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses (Psalm 116:13; Psalm 55:16; Psalm 86:7; compare Psalm 17:6; Psalm 31:2).

For similar figures for distress see Psalm 18:4, Psalm 18:5.

gat hold upon me — Another sense (“found”) of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease.

The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God‘s known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his “soul,” Psalm 11:1; Psalm 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities [Psalm 116:8 ] are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Psalm 56:13).

walk before the Lord — act, or live under His favor and guidance (Genesis 17:1; Psalm 61:7).

land of the living — (Psalm 27:13).

Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Psalm 68:8, Psalm 68:9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.

in my haste — literally, “terror,” or “agitation,” produced by his affliction (compare Psalm 31:22).

These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Psalm 116:4; Psalm 50:14; Jonah 2:9).

the cup of salvation — the drink offering which was part of the thank offering (Numbers 15:3-5).

now — (compare Psalm 115:2). “Oh, that (I may do it)” in the presence, etc.

By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God‘s covenant love to His people.

An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord‘s house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.