Psalms 116:16
Psalms 116:16 in Multiple Translations
Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.
O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of her who is your servant; by you have my cords been broken.
Lord, I really am your slave, serving you as my mother served you before me, yet you have set me free.
Beholde, Lord: for I am thy seruant, I am thy seruant, and the sonne of thine handmaide: thou hast broken my bondes.
Cause [it] to come, O Jehovah, for I [am] Thy servant. I [am] Thy servant, son of Thy handmaid, Thou hast opened my bonds.
LORD, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
I am one of those who serve Yahweh; I serve him like my mother did. He has freed/saved me from dying (OR, from being fastened by chains).
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 116:16
BAB
Word Study
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Psalms 116:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָֽנָּ֣ה
יְהוָה֮
כִּֽי
אֲנִ֪י
עַ֫בְדֶּ֥/ךָ
אֲֽנִי
עַ֭בְדְּ/ךָ
בֶּן
אֲמָתֶ֑/ךָ
פִּ֝תַּ֗חְתָּ
לְ/מוֹסֵרָֽ/י
אָֽנָּ֣ה
ʼânnâʼ
H577
Please!
Part
יְהוָה֮
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֲנִ֪י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
עַ֫בְדֶּ֥/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-ms | Suff
אֲֽנִי
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
עַ֭בְדְּ/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-ms | Suff
בֶּן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
אֲמָתֶ֑/ךָ
ʼâmâh
H519
maidservant
N-fs | Suff
פִּ֝תַּ֗חְתָּ
pâthach
H6605
to open
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
לְ/מוֹסֵרָֽ/י
môwçêr
H4147
bond
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 116:16
אָֽנָּ֣ה
ʼânnâʼ
H577
"Please!"
Part
This Hebrew word is a polite way of saying please, used to show respect when making a request. It is often translated as I beseech you.
Definition: ah now! I/we beseech you, oh now!, pray now! (participle of entreaty usually followed by the imperative verb)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: I (me) beseech (pray) thee, O. See also: Genesis 50:17; Psalms 116:16; Psalms 116:4.
יְהוָה֮
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֲנִ֪י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
עַ֫בְדֶּ֥/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
אֲֽנִי
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
עַ֭בְדְּ/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
בֶּן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אֲמָתֶ֑/ךָ
ʼâmâh
H519
"maidservant"
N-fs | Suff
A maidservant is a female slave or servant, like the ones mentioned in the stories of Abraham and Sarah in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) maid-servant, female slave, maid, handmaid, concubine 1a) of humility (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). See also: Genesis 20:17; Judges 9:18; Psalms 86:16.
פִּ֝תַּ֗חְתָּ
pâthach
H6605
"to open"
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.
Definition: 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 5:10.
לְ/מוֹסֵרָֽ/י
môwçêr
H4147
"bond"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word refers to a bond or restraint, often used to describe a rope or halter. In Job 39:10, it describes a rope used to guide an ox, while in Isaiah 58:6, it symbolizes the bond of oppression. It represents control or limitation.
Definition: band, bond
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: band, bond. See also: Job 39:5; Isaiah 52:2; Psalms 2:3.
Study Notes — Psalms 116:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 116:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 116:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 116:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 116:16
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 116:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
- Sermons on Psalms 116:16
Context — The LORD Has Heard My Voice
14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.
16Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
17I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. 18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 86:16 | Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. |
| 2 | Psalms 143:12 | And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant. |
| 3 | Psalms 119:125 | I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. |
| 4 | James 1:1 | James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. |
| 5 | Acts 27:23 | For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me |
| 6 | Romans 6:22 | But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. |
| 7 | Isaiah 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, |
| 8 | Psalms 107:14–16 | He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. |
| 9 | 2 Chronicles 33:11–13 | So the LORD brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD received his plea and heard his petition; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. |
| 10 | John 12:26 | If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. |
Psalms 116:16 Summary
This verse is about the psalmist acknowledging that he belongs to God and is grateful for the freedom God has given him. He calls himself a 'servant' and the 'son of Your maidservant', showing that he recognizes his humble position before God. Just like the psalmist, we can trust in God's power to break the bonds that hold us captive, whether it be sin, fear, or other forms of bondage, as seen in Isaiah 61:1 and John 8:36. By surrendering our lives to God's will and purpose, we can experience the same kind of freedom and liberation that the psalmist is talking about in this verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord?
Being a servant of the Lord means surrendering our lives to His will and purpose, as seen in Psalms 116:16, where the psalmist declares, 'Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant.' This is similar to what Jesus teaches in Matthew 20:26-28, where He says that true greatness comes from serving others.
Who is the 'son of Your maidservant' referring to in this verse?
The phrase 'son of Your maidservant' is likely a reference to the psalmist's humble origins, acknowledging that he is a child of a faithful servant of the Lord, much like the apostle Paul describes himself as a 'servant of Jesus Christ' in Romans 1:1.
What does it mean that God has 'broken my bonds'?
When the psalmist says that God has 'broken my bonds', he is referring to the fact that God has set him free from the things that held him captive, whether it be sin, fear, or other forms of bondage, as seen in Isaiah 61:1, where Jesus comes to 'proclaim liberty to the captives'
How can I apply this verse to my own life?
We can apply this verse to our own lives by acknowledging our own servanthood to the Lord, recognizing our humble origins, and trusting in God's power to break the bonds that hold us captive, just as the psalmist does in Psalms 116:16, and as Jesus teaches in John 8:36, 'if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'
Reflection Questions
- What are the 'bonds' in my life that I need God to break, and how can I trust in His power to set me free?
- In what ways can I surrender my life to the Lord's will and purpose, just like the psalmist does in this verse?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of humility and recognition of my own limitations, like the psalmist when he calls himself the 'son of Your maidservant'?
- What are some ways that I can offer thanks and praise to God for the freedom and liberation He has given me, just as the psalmist does in the surrounding verses?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 116:16
O Lord, truly I [am] thy servant, I [am] thy servant,.... Not merely by creation, and as obliged by providential favours; but by the grace of God, which made him a willing one: and he was so, not
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 116:16
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
I am thy servant: this is either, 1. An argument used in prayer, It becometh thee to protect and save thy own servants, as every good master doth; or rather, 2. A thankful acknowledgment of his great obligations to God, whereby he was in duty bound to be the Lord’ s faithful and perpetual servant. For this suits best with the context. The son of thine handmaid; either, 1. The son of a mother who was devoted and did devote me to thy service. Or, 2. Like one born in thy house of one of thy servants, and so thine by a most strict and double obligation. Thou hast loosed my bonds; thou hast rescued me from mine enemies, whose captive and vassal I was, and therefore hast a just right and title to me and to my service.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
Psalms 116:16 O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant, [and] the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.Ver. 16. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant] Euge, O Iehovah, &c., by a real and a heavenly compliment; thus he insinuateth, and, therefore, promiseth praise to God, Psalms 116:17, and safety to himself, according to that, Psalms 119:94, "I am thine, save me." And the son of thine handmaid] That is, of Ruth, say the Rabbis; or rather of his immediate mother, a good woman, and haply better than his father, Quia religiosior patre (Genebrard); as Manoah’ s wife had a stronger faith than himself; and Priscilla is named before her husband Aquila. And the son of thine handmaid] Not born abroad, and bought or brought into thy family; but tuus quasi vernaeulus, et a ventre ad serviendum dispositus, born and bred up to thy service, of a child little. Thou hast loosed my bonds] Of affliction, of corruption, and made me Christ’ s freeman, brought me into the glorious liberty of thine own children.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
(16) Thy servant, and the son of Thine handmaid.—Comp. Psalms 86:16. Not only himself but his family were in the covenant, and, as very commonly in the East, the mother is selected for mention instead of the father.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
Verse 16. I am thy servant] Thou hast preserved me alive. I live with, for, and to THEE. I am thy willing domestic, the son of thine handmaid - like one born in thy house of a woman already thy property. I am a servant, son of thy servant, made free by thy kindness; but, refusing to go out, I have had my ear bored to thy door-post, and am to continue by free choice in thy house for ever. He alludes here to the case of the servant who, in the year of jubilee being entitled to his liberty, refused to leave his master's house; and suffered his ear to be bored to the door-post, as a proof that by his own consent he agreed to continue in his master's house for ever.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 116:16
16. Lit. I beseech thee, Jehovah, for I am thy servant. The precative interjection would naturally be followed by an imperative, as in Psalms 116:4 b, hear me, or the like; but the Psalmist breaks off into thanksgiving. thy servant, [omit and] the son of thy handmaid] So Psalms 86:16. ‘The son of thy handmaid’ is a synonym for ‘thy servant,’ but denoting a closer relationship, for servants ‘born in the house’ (Genesis 14:14) were the most trusted dependents. Cp. ‘of the household of God,’ Ephesians 2:19. It is hardly, as Delitzsch thinks, an allusion to the piety of the Psalmist’s mother. loosed my bonds] He had been like a prisoner condemned to death, Psalms 116:3. Cp. Psalms 107:10; Psalms 107:14.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 116:16
O Lord, truly I am thy servant - In view of thy mercy in delivering me from death, I feel the obligation to give myself to thee.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 116:16
16. The son of thine handmaid—A form of speech describing a servant “born in the house,” and, therefore, perpetual, as distinguished from a hireling, or a servant bought with money.
Sermons on Psalms 116:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Becoming a Prophetic Church) 5. Psalm 102 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the unique recognition of God that Jews historically have not experienced in times of suffering. The speaker emphasizes the importance of unde |
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Beyond Categories by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking a deeper understanding of God and His truth. He highlights the need to move beyond our current understanding and be |
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Ruth From "The Numerical Bible" by F.W. Grant | F. W. Grant preaches on the Book of Ruth, highlighting the historical context during the times of the judges and its connection to David and the kingdom. The story shows how God's |
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Psalm 143 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches on the power of prayer, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's faithfulness and righteousness in times of supplication. He highlights the contrast between t |
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Exposition on Psalm 144 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the spiritual battles we face, drawing parallels between David's victory over Goliath and Christ's triumph over the devil. He emphasizes the importance of |
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When We Need Revival: Barrenness of Soul by Ronald Glass | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of seeking God's word and rest when we become exhausted in our ministry. Using the example of Elijah, who ran away in fear, th |
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Are You Really a Christian? by Todd Friel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the incredible love of God for the sinful world by giving His only Son to die on the cross. The preacher describes the brutal and agonizing |