Bible Commentaries

Psalm 116:1-19

V:1. Various are the opinions of learned men, concerning the author of this Psalm 30:6-8 Psalm 38:1-10. Psalm 41:1-3.) In several instances, however, the Chaldee dialect is used in it; which makes and prahtude is not mentioned at first, but may be collected from what follows. The abrupt opening was expressive of a full heart. Some render the clause, " I am " satisfied," or " I am well pleased;" but it seems rather more in the manner of Peter's earnest declaration, " Lord, " thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee." (Note, John 21:15-17.)

V:2. " This love of his, in so readily granting my de" sires, ... encourages and engages me, ... to the last breath " of my life, to expect deliverance from him." Bp. Patrick.

(Marg. Ref. Notes, Psalm 40:15; Psalm 55:17-18.)

V:3. The inward anguish of the Psalmist's mind was equal to his outward sufferings. He seemed to feel at once the agonies of death, and that sense of wrath and remorse of conscience, which have in them something of " the " pains of hell." It is by no means natural to interpret both the expressions of the fear or pain of death; or of death, and the grave in which no pains are felt; (Note, Psalm 16:8-11;) when so obvious an interpretation offers itself, and one so suited to the feelings of every person, who, in great pain of body and remorse of conscience, has been alarmed with the dread of immediate death.

(Notes, Psalm 18:4-5. Psalm 32:3-5. Psalm 40:11-12; Psalm 86:12-13. 2 Samuel 22:5-6.)

V:4. The expressive brevity of the prayer here mentioned, is well worth noticing.

(Marg. Rcf. Notes, Psalm 142:4-6. Luke 18:9-14; Luke 23:39-43, v: 42.)

V:5. (Marg. Ref.) "A just God and a Saviour;" righteous in shewing mercy to the guilty, as well as faithful to his promises. (Notes, Ixxxv10 -13. Romans 3:21-26.)

V:6. The simple are they, who feel themselves liable to be imposed on by designing foes; who are destitute of wisdom and power to deliver themselves; but who renounce all other dependence, to rely wholly on God, and " in simplicity and godly sincerity " to wait on him to save them. (Marg. Ref. k.) Thus the Psalmist, in his greatest extremity, and lowest dejection, relied on the Lord, and sought his help; and the Lord saved and delivered him.

V:7 To know, trust, love, and delight in God, is the " rest" of rational creatures. (Note, Psalm 90:1-2.) This is forsaken through sin; and hence arises the restlessness of mankind : but the believer has returned to God, through the Saviour, and found, in some measure, " a rest to his " soul," which is the earnest and foretaste of heavenly felicity.

(Notes, Psalm 95:9-11. Jeremiah 6:16-17. Matthew 11:28-30. Hebrews 4:1-11.) Yet this is imperfect, and often interrupted, especially by sin: and when chastenings bring the wanderer from God, to a due sense of his sin and folly, conscious guilt at first generally increases the agitation of his mind : till recollection of the Lord's former kindness, and the consolations which he vouchsafed, and the hope of recovering them, encourage and allure him to return by repentance, faith, and prayer; and this purpose is strengthened by every token and taste of returning peace and comfort. This seems to have been the Psalmist's experience.

(Notes, I- 6. Psalm 13:5-6. Psalm 119:17 - Hosea 2:6-7)

Dealt bountifully.] Or " recompensed thee." He hath graciously recompensed thy confidence in him, and as it were said, " According to thy faith be it unto thee."

V:8 , 9. Rescued by special grace from death and ruin, comforted from distressing sorrow, and recovered and upheld after grievous falls, the Psalmist determined to walk, as in the sight of God, " in the land of the living." (Marg. Ref.) The original word is plural, lands; so that the land of Canaan cannot exclusively be intended : but rather the Psalmist meant to say, that he would walk before God, while he lived here; and expected at last to enjoy his presence in heaven, and serve him for ever and ever.

(Notes, Psalm 23:5-6. Psalm 27:13; Psalm 56:13; Psalm 73:23-28. Psalm 146:2.)

I " will walk before the LORD," as one under his inspection, " " in the land of the living," or amongst the redeemed in " the church; until the time come for me to depart hence, " and to be numbered with the saints in glory everlasting." Up, Home.

V:10 , 11. " 1believed, and therefore I spoke;" that 2 Samuel 7:12-13; 2 Samuel 12:24-25.) He may however, most naturally be supposed to refer to Ahithophel's treachery, Absalom's rebellion, and the revolt of Israel; which so astonished and afflicted him, that he was ready hastily to suspect every one about him : though the event proved, that he had many faithful and zealous friends. But whoever wrote the 2 Corinthians 4:13-18.) The literal rendering Matthew 26:26-29. Luke 22:14-20. 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.)

V:14. Notes, 17-19. Psalm 22:25; Psalm 66:13-15; Psalm 76:11-12.

V:15. The Lord accounts the death of his saints a very important event. He will not allow their enemies to cut them off before his appointed time. The circumstances of their death are regulated by infinite wisdom and love, for their final benefit : that solemn season often proves a precious opportunity to the survivors, and tends greatly to the honour of God; and it always issues in their complete felicity. (Notes, Psalm 72:14. Luke 16:22-23. Acts 18:9-11; Acts 23:11; Acts 27:20-26.) The word rendered " saints," may either mean those who obtain mercy from God, or such as have been taught by him to shew mercy. "Note, Psalm 30:4.) Our Lord seems to have had it in view, when he said, " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall ob" tain mercy." (Note, Matthew 5:7.)

V:16. (Note, Ixxxvi16.) "The recent deliverance, which I have experienced, lays me under new and stronger obligations, to serve thee, with all the power and influence which I possess; and I thus avow my purpose of so doing." (Marg. Ref.)

V:17- 19. "Calling on the name of the LORD" sometimes means, celebrating his praises, and acknowledging his mercies, as well as prayer and supplication. Notes, 1 Chronicles 16:8-9. Psalm 118:19-24.)

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS

V:1-9.

We should not only be satisfied and delighted, when " the LORD hath heard our voice and our supplications; " but should love him on that account, as well as for his own essential excellences, and all his innumerable benefits. Hut we are never so greatly affected with his condescension and kindness, as when he has relieved us out of extreme distress. The poor sinner, when awakened to a sense of his state and character, recollects that he must shortly die, and fears lest he should sink under the righteous and everlasting wrnth of God; then " the sorrows of death and the " pains of hell get hold of him, and he finds trouble and " sorrow." But let those persons, who are thus distressed and alarmed, without delay, and with all earnestness, " call upon the LORD," and say, " O LORD, I beseech " thee, deliver my soul : " and they will find him most gracious, and true to his promise, and will learn how his perfect justice harmonizes with his abounding mercy: for he is as ready to teach the simple, and uphold the feeble, and defend the poor, who trust in him; as he is to pardon the guilty, and sanctify the unholy : and, having raised them up from this low estate, they will learn to love him and " call upon him as long as they live." His ways are not as our ways : he pardons criminals, and relieves the indigent, that they may be encouraged to come again and again, and may learn to love prayer; for " he delighteth " in the prayer of the upright." Let then those " who " labour, and are heavy laden, come to him that they may " find rest to their souls." Let believers keep close to their rest; and if they be at all drawn from it, let them make haste to return, remembering how " bountifully the " LORD hath dealt with them." Having " delivered ou " souls from death, our eyes from tears, and our feet from " falling," we should deem ourselves bound " to walk before him," and as in his presence. But when we shall enter the heavenly rest, our deliverance from sin and sorrow will be complete; our tears will be finally wiped away, and our feet will no more slip; but we shall behold the glory of God, and walk in his presence, " in the land of " the living, with inconceivable delight." (Notes, Is. Psalm 25:6-8. Revelation 7:13-17; Revelation 21:22-27.)

V:10-19.

When we are discomposed by temptations, we had in general better keep silence if possible, for we are apt to speak unadvisedly: (Notes, Psalm 39:1-4; Psalm 39:9-10 :) and our conviction of man's deceitfulness may sometimes lead us, before we are aware, to impeach the divine veracity, and to treat even those as " liars," who would encourage us from the promises of God. But true faith will at length prevail in every conflict; and, being humbled for our distrust of his sacred word, we shall experience his faithfulness. What shall the redeemed sinner, when his heart is full of joy and gratitude, or what shall any of us, who have been delivered from urgent trouble and distress, " render unto the LORD for all his benefits towards us ? " We cannot in any way profit him, or offer him any thing which he has not first given unto us; and our best is unworthy of his acceptance : yet we ought to devote ourselves and all we have to his service and glory. (Note, 1 Chronicles 29:10-19.) While we enjoy the comfort of his salvation in our secret communion with him, we should also make an open profession of our faith and love; and avow our dependence on him and obligations to him, by taking " the " cup of salvation," and remembering the bleeding love of our divine Saviour, in the ordinance which he has instituted for that purpose : thus joining ourselves to him and to his people, and with them calling upon his name, that we may be enabled by his grace to walk consistently with our profession. In this way every sinner, who has found peace and deliverance through the blood of Christ, should " pay his vows in the presence of all his people." Thus every true son of the church, whose bonds have been loosed, and who is become the servant of God, should frequently offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, as well as join in other parts of his solemn worship. (Note, Psalm 40:1-5.) And every believer, when he has received any recent mercy, should express his gratitude, by attending on this memorial of that precious blood-shedding which has purchased all our mercies; and should avow his purpose of devoting his future life, to the service of the God of his salvation. Such are the true saints of God, in whose lives and deaths he will be glorified : no enemy or event can deduct from their appointed period on earth; much less shall any destroy their souls. But when the measure of their trials and services is accomplished, their God and Saviour will remove them, in the best manner, to that new Jerusalem, where they will pay their vows with all the redeemed, and offer eternal sacrifices of exalted praise and thanksgiving, " to him who loved them, and washed them from their " sins in his precious blood : " and their bodies also shall at length be raised incorruptible to join the sacred worship, and share that glorious felicity. Let us then " give diligence to make our calling and election sure; " let us trust the Lord in the path of duty; let us fear no danger, and decline no difficulty, in his service; and let us learn to consider the day of our death, as the period of our labours and conflicts, and as our entrance into rest, and glory, and felicity.