Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 116
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 116
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 116
"I love Jehovah, because he heareth My voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, Therefore will I call [upon him] as long as I live. The cords of death compassed me, And the pains of Sheol gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of Jehovah: O Jehovah, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful. Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; For Jehovah hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, Mine eyes from tears, [And] my feet from falling. I will walk before Jehovah In the land of the living." — Psalms 116:1-9 (ASV)
We have many reasons for loving the Lord, but are most affected by his loving-kindness when relieved out of deep distress. When a poor sinner is awakened to a sense of his state, and fears that he must soon sink under the just wrath of God, then he finds trouble and sorrow. But let all such call upon the Lord to deliver their souls, and they will find him gracious and true to his promise.
Neither ignorance nor guilt will hinder their salvation when they put their trust in the Lord. Let us all speak of God as we have found him; and have we ever found him otherwise than just and good? It is of his mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls; and if at all drawn from their rest, let them hasten to return, remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them.
We should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with excessive sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now conceive.
"I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto Jehovah For all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah. I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of Jehovah Is the death of his saints. O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of Jehovah. I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people, In the courts of Jehovah`s house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah. " — Psalms 116:10-19 (ASV)
When troubled, we do best to remain silent, for we are likely to speak rashly. Yet there may be true faith where there are workings of unbelief; but then faith will prevail. Being humbled for our distrust of God's word, we will experience His faithfulness to it. What can the pardoned sinner, or what can those who have been delivered from trouble or distress, offer to the Lord for His benefits?
We cannot in any way benefit Him. Our best is unworthy of His acceptance; yet we ought to devote ourselves and all we have to His service. I will take the cup of salvation; I will offer the drink offerings appointed by the Law, as a token of thankfulness to God, and rejoice in God's goodness to me. I will receive the cup of affliction. That cup, that bitter cup, is sanctified for the saints, so that for them it is a cup of salvation; it is a means of spiritual health.
The cup of consolation: I will receive the benefits God bestows upon me, as from His hand, and taste His love in them, as the portion not only of my inheritance in the other world, but of my cup in this life. Let others serve whatever masters they choose; truly I am Your servant. There are two ways people came to be servants.
By birth: Lord, I was born in Your house; I am the son of Your handmaid, and therefore Yours. It is a great mercy to be children of godly parents.
By redemption: Lord, You have loosed my bonds; You have discharged me from them, therefore I am Your servant.
The bonds You have loosed will tie me faster to You. Doing good is sacrifice, with which God is well pleased; and this must accompany giving thanks to His name. Why should we offer that to the Lord which cost us nothing? The psalmist will pay his vows now; he will not delay the payment: publicly, not to make a boast, but to show he is not ashamed of God's service and to invite others to join him.
Such are true saints of God, in whose lives and deaths He will be glorified.
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