The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 116

In brief

Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving after great distress. The psalmist loves Yahweh because he heard his voice. Surrounded by the cords of death, he called on God's name and God delivered him. He then asks what he can give back for all God's goodness, and answers with praise, the cup of salvation and vows paid before all the people. This psalm was one of the songs sung at Passover.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-4He heard me when death surrounded me
  2. v. 5-9Yahweh is gracious and rescues the soul from distress
  3. v. 10-14What can I give back? The cup of salvation
  4. v. 15-19A delivered servant, a sacrifice of thanksgiving

1I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

2Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.

4Then I called on Yahweh’s name: “Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul.”

5Yahweh is Gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

6Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.

7Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.

8For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9I will walk before Yahweh in the land of the living.

10I believed, therefore I said, “I was greatly afflicted.”

11I said in my haste, “All people are liars.”

12What will I give to Yahweh for all his benefits toward me?

13I will take the cup of salvation, and call on Yahweh’s name.

14I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.

15Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.

16Yahweh, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.

17I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on Yahweh’s name.

18I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,

19in the courts of Yahweh’s house, in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise Yah!

Key verses

Verse 1-2
I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

The psalm opens with the reason to love God: he listens. That certainty makes the psalmist want to call on him for as long as he lives.

Verse 7
Return to your rest, my soul, for Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.

The psalmist speaks to his own soul so that it can find rest again, because God has been good to him. It is a way of remembering God's goodness when worry returns.

Verse 13
I will take the cup of salvation, and call on Yahweh’s name.

Lifting the cup of salvation is a public act of gratitude: the one who was saved says so out loud.

Verse 15
Precious in Yahweh’s sight is the death of his saints.

This verse says that the death of God's faithful people does not escape him. It matters to him, which brings comfort in grief.

What the sermons say

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 116

What does Psalm 116 mean?

Psalm 116 is a song of gratitude after a trial close to death. The psalmist loves God because God heard and delivered him, and he promises to call on him for as long as he lives. He answers deliverance with praise, a sacrifice of thanksgiving and vows kept before all the people.

Who wrote Psalm 116?

The psalm gives no title or author. It belongs to the Hallel, Psalms 113 to 118, sung by the Jews at Passover. Christians often see in it an echo of Jesus' last meal with his disciples, who sang hymns before leaving.

How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 116?

Take time to name the moments when God heard you. Then repeat verse 12 as a real question: what can I give back to him? Answer with a specific act of thanks and, if you can, a testimony you share with someone close to you.

Articles quoting Psalm 116

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World English Bible translation — public domain.