Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 116

Verses 1-19

PSALM 116

Ps 116:1-19. The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favored, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.

1, 2. A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses (Ps 116:13; Ps 55:16; 86:7; compare Ps 17:6; 31:2).

Verses 2-3

3, 4. For similar figures for distress see Ps 18:4, 5.

gat hold upon me—Another sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease.

Verses 4-5

5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his "soul," Ps 11:1; 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities [Ps 116:8] are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Ps 56:13).

Verses 6-9

9. walk before the Lord—act, or live under His favor and guidance (Ge 17:1; Ps 61:7).

land of the living—(Ps 27:13).

Verses 10

10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Ps 68:8, 9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.

Verses 11

11. in my haste—literally, "terror," or "agitation," produced by his affliction (compare Ps 31:22).

Verses 12

12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Ps 116:4; Ps 50:14; Jon 2:9).

Verses 13

13. the cup of salvation—the drink offering which was part of the thank offering (Nu 15:3-5).

Verses 14

14. now—(compare Ps 115:2). "Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c.

Verses 15

15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.

Verses 16-17

17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871). Public domain.