Psalm 116

Psalm Category: Public praises to God

Central Thought: What can I give to God for saving me?

Keywords: death, Lord, call, thank, love

The theme of public praise continues in Psalm 116 as part of the Hallel, which means “the praise” (Psalms 113–118). All these were very familiar to our Old Testament brethren because they were used in the Passover as well as in the feasts of Weeks, Booths, New Moon and Dedication. All these psalms speak primarily of Christ and then also of us in Him by faith. As He was rescued from death, therefore, in Him, we are too. Consequently, these psalms should be precious to us.

The psalmist explodes with the exuberant joy of salvation, blasting bits and pieces of praise and thanksgiving here and there throughout the psalm. Similar elements are repeated in various places and ways, so it seems best to pull these together for our understanding and use. The focus is on God who saves, not on the psalmist who is saved. Yet the psalmist gives testimony to his experience of God’s goodness. A primary use of this psalm is as an antidote to discouragement.

The psalmist is strongly tempted to despair. The evil one hunted him and dragged him down to the pit of death (vv. 3, 8, 15; 2 Cor. 1:8ff.). He was in very serious trouble, and suffered the aggravations of unfaithful friends (v. 11; Luke 22:48). But he knew from God’s praises that He is gracious and kind (v. 5), so he called on Him for help (v. 4). The Lord heard his cries and saved him from his desperate situation (vv. 6-8, 16). Therefore, he passionately loves the Lord (v. 1) and will continually call on Him for help (v. 2; see 13, 17).

As he responds to love with love (v. 1; 1 John 4:19), the psalmist also desires to respond to grace (v. 5) with a gift (v. 12ff.). What can we possibly give to God for all His saving benefits to us in Jesus? (v. 12) The only gift we can give to Someone so great and for something so wonderful is the gift of thanks.

The peace offerings (Lev. 7:11-18) were given to God’s people as a means to give the gift of thanksgiving as well as to participate in the benefits pictured in the sacrificial system. The peace offerings were the only ones that worshipers other than the priests were given to eat. There were three kinds of peace offerings, all of which gave thanks to God: The freewill offering was in general thanksgiving for God’s overall goodness; the thankoffering (v. 17) was in response to a particular gift of God; and the votive offering (vv. 14, 18) was for a gift that had been requested, with the solemn promise to bring an offering if the request was granted. Thus it was in the peace offerings that the worshiper brought a gift to God that expressed his gratitude, joy and love for his Savior.

It is no accident that the Lord’s supper is called the Eucharist (the “thanksgiving”; see Luke 22:17ff.) because it is our peace offering by which we thank God and enjoy the benefits of Christ by faith. For us also, this is an ordinance of public worship (vv. 14, 18-19). And so it is in the feast (vv. 13, 17) of the peace offering that the psalmist gives thanks to God for all His saving benefits (v. 12ff.).

And so, pray when you are in trouble (vv. 3-6; Phil. 4:6ff.). Rejoice when God answers your prayers (vv. 12-19; see Phil. 4:4ff.). Praise God for who He is (v. 5) and thank Him for what He has done for you (v. 17). Love Him with all your heart in response to His great love for you (v. 1; Matt. 22:37). And do all this publicly, testifying to and with the people of God to what God has done for your soul (vv. 14, 18ff.; Ps. 66:16).

Eat, pray, love…and much, much more in the joy of your salvation in Jesus.

—Kit Swartz