← Back to Psalms

Psalms 116

19 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 116 moves from a deep personal crisis to a confident declaration of gratitude, affirming the LORD’s deliverance, the faith of the psalmist, and a renewed commitment to worship.

Summary

The psalm opens with a heartfelt cry, as the speaker recounts how the LORD heard his pleas and delivered him from the throes of death and anguish. He declares that because of this mercy he will keep calling upon God throughout his life. The psalmist recalls the horrors of death and the despair of being overwhelmed by suffering, yet finds relief in the LORD’s compassion. He vows to give thanks and to honor God with vows, sacrifices, and the cup of salvation, affirming his faith and loyalty. The psalm concludes with an exhortation to Jerusalem and all of God's people to praise the LORD, emphasizing communal worship.

Outline
  1. Personal lament and deliverance (verses 1‑8)
  2. Affliction, vows, and thanksgiving (verses 9‑18)
  3. Public worship and praise in Jerusalem (verse 19)
Themes
gratitudedeliverancefaithful covenantal vows
Keywords
deliverancefaithvowsgratitudeworshipjustice
People
the LORDthe psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Things
deathhellsalvation cupvowssacrificesthanksgiving
Key Verses
  • Psalm 116:1: begins with a declaration of love and gratitude for hearing the psalmist’s cry
  • Psalm 116:5: highlights the LORD’s gracious, righteous, and merciful nature
  • Psalm 116:8: confirms deliverance from death and emotional relief
  • Psalm 116:15: emphasizes the sanctity of the dead saints
  • Psalm 116:19: calls for communal praise in Jerusalem
Questions
  • How does the psalmist’s experience of death shape his gratitude toward God?
  • What does the ‘cup of salvation’ symbolize in the context of this psalm?
  • In what ways does this psalm call for both personal and communal worship?
  • How might the psalm’s emphasis on vows and sacrifices inform contemporary Christian practice?
Sentiment

positive
expresses thankfulness, hope, and trust in God’s deliverance