Psalm 116 Study Notes

116:1-19 This psalm shares a number of words and ideas with Jnh 2:2-9, pointing to a literary relationship between these two inspired writings.

116:1 Love (Hb ’ahav) here implies love associated with a covenantal relationship. The concept is used in ancient Near Eastern covenants between the victorious and the vanquished. Compare 119:47-48,97,113; Dt 6:5; 11:1; 13:3, all of which restrict the use of love to a disciple’s love for God’s word and will.

116:2 When the Lord turns his ear, the petitioner is granted his request. The Lord’s faithfulness led the psalmist to continue to call upon him.

116:3-4 The psalmist compared the threat of imminent death to lethal ropes that would pull him down to Sheol (18:4-5; Jnh 2:2,5-6).

116:5 On gracious and compassionate, compare 103:8; Ex 34:6-7.

116:6 The Lord guards the inexperienced, or “simple ones” (see note at Pr 1:4). God dispenses mercy without prejudice and apart from social status. The Hebrew word for helpless (dll) means “lowly” or “weak.”

116:7 Has been good to can also be translated “has dealt generously with.”

116:8-11 Deliverance from death brought a resolve and transformation in the life of the psalmist, who promised to walk . . . in the land of the living (see 27:13; Jnh 2:6-7). Faith enabled him to prevail through adversity and his perception that everyone was out to deceive him.

116:12 The Hebrew word translated good comes from a root (gml) that means “payback,” here in the good sense of “reward” or “benefit” (see note at 103:1-2; cp. Pr 12:14; 19:17).

116:13-14 Giving someone a cup normally denoted forcing something negative on someone, such as “fury” and “staggering” (Is 51:17,22). Here the psalmist received salvation from God. Alternatively, it could refer to a libation or drink offering from the psalmist (Ex 29:40-41; Nm 15:5,7; see Mt 26:26-29; 1Co 10:16).

116:15-16 Those in service to the Lord who are threatened with death are valuable to God, and are thus saved (72:14; Is 43:4). Though they may not escape physical death, they will experience eternal life (Mt 10:29-31; Lk 21:16-18; Jn 10:28-29).

116:17-18 Compare these verses to Jnh 2:9.

116:19 The psalmist intended to fulfill his vow publicly in the temple precincts (see note at 22:22-24). In the LXX, Hallelujah! begins Ps 117 (see note at 104:35).