Bible Commentaries
Psalms 116

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

My voice and my supplications = My supplicating voice. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6 . So some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "the voice of my supplication".

Verse 3

sorrows = cords. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the pains produced by them.

hell = Sheol. See App-35 .

gat hold. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

Verse 4

Then called I = I will call, as in Psalms 116:13 . See the Structure.

my soul = me (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 5

Gracious. Compare Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

merciful = full of compassion.

Verse 6

simple = sincere or guileless ones; not "foolish" in the modern usage.

Verse 7

rest. Plural for emphasis.

For = Because.

Verse 10

I believed = I believed[Him]. Quoted in 2 Corinthians 4:13 .

Verse 11

haste = hasting.

All men. Hebrew. 'adam (with Art.) = all humanity.

liars: or false.

Verse 12

What shall I render . . . ? Note the answer in next verse.

Verse 13

I will take. The way to render thanks is to receive yet more grace.

And call = And [I will] call.

Verse 15

Precious. See note on 1 Samuel 3:1 .

saints = separated ones.

Verse 17

offer = sacrifice. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .

Verse 19

Praise ye THE LORD = Hallelu-Jah. See App-4 .