Psalm 116 (NIV 2011)
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
“LORD, save me!”
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the unwary;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, LORD, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the LORD when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
“Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, LORD;
I serve you just as my mother did;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Reflection:
When the psalmist is overcome by distress and sorrow, he calls on the name of the Lord. His prayer, “God, save me!” is only a few words but captures the rawness and angst of his heart. God rescues the psalmist from the cords of death and he responds by giving himself to the Lord.
His offerings to the Lord described in verses 12-19 show us how we can respond to God for His faithful love and care over our lives. The psalmist speaks of lifting the cup of salvation (possibly a part of sacrificing thank offerings), serving God because we have been freed, and fulfilling his vows to God in the presence of His people, even to the point of death.
Response:
God is faithful in rescuing us in times of trouble. Let’s reflect on all the times we have cried out to Him and He has delivered us. May we respond as the psalmist did by offering sacrifices of thanks and calling on His name. Let’s commit our hearts to serve God; let’s also ask Him for the grace and perseverance to continue serving Him for all our days.
