Psalms 116

The Prophet declares his love to God for the great and manifold favours and mercies shewed and bestowed upon him, by delivering him out of deadly streights and dangers, praying unto him for future preservation, and promising praise and thanks to God for it.

1. I do love, [The LORD namely] for the LORD hath heard my voice, my supplications.

2. For he enclineth his ears to me: for which I will call (upon him) in my days. [i.e. whiles I am alive: or, all the days of my life, or, suffering: Compare Psalm.137.7.]

3. The bonds [Others, the griefs or smartings] of death, [i.e. which were so great and grievous as death it self: Namely, when Saul approached me with his mighty Army, 1 Sam.23.26.] and the anguish, (or pangs) of Hell [i.e. which were so extreme, that they might well have caused my death, and brought me to the grave] had hit me; [Hebr. Found me] I found distress and sadness.

4. But I called on the Name of the LORD, (saying,) O LORD, deliver my soul; [i.e. my life.]

5. The LORD is gracious and righteous: [And therefore he cannot endure his to be unrighteously oppressed] and our God is pittying.

6. The LORD doth keep the simple: [Those which do not rely upon their own wisdom, but upon the Lord, walking uprightly in his ways] I was consumed [or, exhausted, macerated, grown thin, i.e. I was very neer to ruine, and ready into perish] yet he hath saved me.

7. My soul return unto thy rest, for the LORD hath done well by thee. [viz. In delivering me out of the hand of Saul.]

8. For thou (LORD) hast rescued my soul [i.e.me] from death, mine eyes from tears, my feet from offence.

9. I shall walk before the face of the LORD in the land of the living (ones) [i.e. among them which are alive yet upon earth, or live yet in this world; as Psalm 27. See there the Annot.on verse 13. And Psalm 56.on verse 14.]

10. I have believed, [Namely, that the Lord would deliver me] therefore [in this sence teh Hebrew word is taken likewise Jerem.29.16.] I spake, [viz. That which faith inspired me withal in my greatest perplexities. Others, when I spake (thus) though I was greatly afflicted. Others, I spake, nevertheless I was greatly afflicted. [Others, I spake, nevertheless I was afflicted] I was sore afflicted.

11. I said in my hasting, [That is, when by reason of my grievous suffering I made all the haste I could to escape; or (as others take it) did let fall hasty and inconsiderate words. See Psalm 31.v.23.] All men are Lyars. [viz. Whole mankind in general, and everyone in particular, so that none at all can be relied upon, but the true God alone. Some are of opinion, that David out of Human frailty doubted, for the small appearance sake, whether ever he should attain to the promised Kingdom.]

12. What [Other, how] shall I requite (or return) the LORD withal (for) all his benefits (shewed) unto me? [Others, what shall I return? All his benefits are above me, i.e. beyond my ability to recompence the same. See 1 Thess.3.9. Others, are upon me, i.e. I am overcharged with the multitude of Gods continual former and daily mercies.]

13. I will take up the cup of salvation, [Or of the manifold salvation; as if the Prophet said; I will give solemn and public thanks unto the LORD, for all the deliverance which he hath wrought for me. He alludeth to the manner and custom, practise about the thankofferings, when after the offering performed, they made a feast, wherein they rejoiced in the LORD for the mercies and benefits received, giving him thanks for it: and in token of this joy and thankfulness, as likewise of the brotherly love and unity between the partakers of that feast, they took a Cup of Wine, and drank all of it round. See 1 Chron.16.2,3.] and call upon the Name of the LORD.

14. I will pay the LORD my vows, [Which I made when I was in deadly danger, when Saul and his armies pursued and hunted me from place to place.] now in the presence of all his people. [See 1 Chron.16.1,2,3.]

15. Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his favourites, [i.e. God shall not smite or make small reckoning of the death of his Saints, nor leave the same unrevenged. See Psalms 72:14.]

16. Ah LORD, assuredly I am thy servant, I am thy servant, [implying as much, as if he said. Since I do so faithfully serve thee, let it still appear I pray, that my life is precious in thine eyes] a son of thy handmaid, [See Psalms 68:16.] thou hast loosed my bonds. [when as I was surrounded by Saul, that there was no way for me to escape his hand and being taken; and thou didst turn him back by the news of the Philistines invasion, and settest me at liberty. 1 Sam.23.27.]

17. I will offer thee a sacrifice of thanksgiving [Or, a praise offering, as Psalms 50:13] now in the presence of all his people.

18. I will pay my vows to the LORD, [See the Annot. Above on v.14. and Psalm 61.on v.6.] now in the presence of all his people.

19. In the Courts of the House of the LORD; [Understand here the Tent, wherein David had placed the Ark of the Covenant. See 1 Chron.16.1.] in the midst of thee. O Jerusalem. Hallelu-Jah.