Psalms 116
PATI do not understand the reason why Theodoret applies this Psalm to the times of Antiochus Epiphanes, when it agrees so exactly to the condition of David in his flight from his son Absalom, (which seems to be mentioned ver.ll.) when Ahithophel and others proved very false to him; and he had little or nothing to depend upon, but only the goclness of the Almighty; who was pleased to plead his cause, and deliver him. For which he resolved to be very thankful, and to call all his friends to rejoice with him, as I have expressed it, ver. 13. where the first words sufficiently declare the sense; but I have added more to explain the phrase, which is borrowed from the custom of those days: about which the reader may consult Mr. Mede, p. 483. last edit. In this resolution he was so serious that he repeats it in the conclusion; and saith he will pay his vows in the midst of Jerusalem: from whence the history tells us he was forced to fly, in great haste, to save his life, (2 Sam. xv. 14.) This seems to be the occasion of the Psalm, which may very well befit any other persons that receive any great deliverance from God; and accordingly I will order the Paraphrase, and fit it for the expressing of their devout affections.
Psalms 116:1
JL LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. O how I love the Lord! he knows that I love him exceedingly: and there is the greatest reason for it; because he hath so graciously heard my prayer, when in my distress I cried unto him.
Psalms 116:2
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live J. I cannot choose but mention again this love of his, in granting so readily my desires: which encourages, and engages me, on all such occasions, to address myself, with thankful acknowledgments, unto him; and to the last breath of my life, to expect deliverance from him.
Psalms 116:3
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Great w&s my misery; exceeding great: death itself and the grave were ready to seize on me; and I saw no way to escape: nay, I myself, in the anguish of my soul, inconsiderately cast myself into danger.
Psalms 116:4
Theu called I upon the name of the Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.". Yet I did not despond in these straits; but made the mighty, wise, and good providence of God my refuge; to whom I cried, saying, O Lord, who wast before all things, and commandest them as thou pleasest; rescue me, I most humbly beseech thee, from those dangers which threaten my destruction.
Psalms 116:5
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. And it was not in vain that I cried unto him; for the Lord hath shewn me how ready he is to do good, and how faithful in his promises: and withal how gentle in his punishments, and inclinable to pardon our faults; which demonstrates that no people serve such a gracious master as our merciful God. Ver. G. The Lord prtserveihjlie simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.] I had perished, I am sure, if I had relied only on my own wisdom, or the skill and policy of others: but the Lord was my hope, who preserves the most simple and incautious souls, when they commit themselves to him, and wholly depend on his providence. I ought to say so; who was reduced to a most forlorn estate, and then, by his assistance, in a wonderful manner delivered.
Psalms 116:7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. What hast thou then to do, O my soul, who hast been so tempestuously tossed, but to settle thyself again in peace and tranquillity; loving and praising the Lord, who hath very many ways expressed his bounty most liberally to thee.
Psalms 116:8
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. For when the dangers of death surrounded me, thou, O my God, didst deliver me: whenever any sadness seized on me, thou hast been my comforter: and when I have been in danger of hurts, maims, or bruises (or of falling into the hands of my enemies), thou still hast been my protector.
Psalms 116:9
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I ought therefore, and I am resolved, to employ all that health and cheerfulness, that soundness of body and mind, that peace and safety, which thou hast thus graciously bestowed on me, in doing thee (to whom as my sovereign Lord I owe) all faithful service; as long as I stay in this world.
Psalms 116:10
I believedy therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted. I had nothing, I will thankfully remember, to depend upon, but only thy kind providence: in this I placed my trust; in this I gloried to others, when I was in my greatest straits: for the truth is, I was extremely miserable.
Psalms 116:11
I said in my haste, All men are liars. Pressed on all sides with dangers; from which, when I fled as fa§t as I was able, (2 Sam. xv. i4. xvii. 16. 22.) I concluded it was vain to rely on the friendship and help of men: for they in whom I trusted proved so false and treacherous, (xv. 31.) that I had reason to think the rest would deceive and fail my expectation, when I was in the greatest need of them.
Psalms 116:12
What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me?. O the greatness of thy love! who even then didst interpose and deliver me, by the assistance of some faithful friends, who still stuck to me! (2 Sam. xvii. 13, 8cc.) What shall I render unto the Lord, who heard my prayer? (xv. 31.) How shall I shew myself grateful to himforthis, and for all other his benefits, which he hath heaped upon me.
Psalms 116:13
1 will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. All that 1 can do cannot make him more happy: but, as my duty birids me, I will praise tho Lord, and speak good of his name, and give him thanks, in the best and most solemn manner I am able: I will call all my friends together to rejoice with me, and taking the cup, which we call the cup of deliverance (because, when blessed and set apart, we are wont to commemorate the blessings we have received), I will magnify the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God my Saviour before all the company; and will drink myself, and then give it to them, that thoy may praise his name together with me. ■
Psalms 116:14
I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. And whatsoever I have pro- 2 E